Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Justine Dennis spins cotton grown in Hawaiʻi  on her spinning wheel. Dennis and fellow  volunteers weave, knit, and sell a variety of  hats, scarves, and other crafts to raise funds  for Kaʻū Food Bank. Photo by Annie Bosted

     HIGHER EDUCATION programs to make it more affordable through Early College and Hawai‘i Promise programs with $1.5 million for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 $1.5M to support Early College; $19M (FY 20 & 21) to expand the Hawai‘i Promise program to all UH four-year institutions; $700,000 (FY 20 & 21) to expand Hawai‘i Promise within the community college system; $2.1M (FY 20) and $2.2M (FY 21) for graduate assistant stipend increases; $128M in capital funding over two years to renew, improve and modernize facilities, statewide; and $14.5M (FY 21) for capital renewal and deferred maintenance at community colleges, statewide.
     AFFORDABLE HOUSING with $315 million spent over the next two years: $50M (FY 20) and $25 (FY21) for the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund; $100M (in both FY 20 & 21) for the Rental Housing Revolving Fund; $20M (in both FY 20 & 21) for Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands lot development projects, statewide.
     HOMELESSNESS with $35 million in state funds over two years for homelessness programs: $1.9M over the next two years for housing subsidies to keep families from falling into homelessness; $3.75M (FY 20 & 21) for Housing First – including mental health and addiction services; $3.75M (FY 20 & 21) to move families out of shelters; $510,000 over two years for permanent deputy sheriff positions for security support in homeless operations; and $5M for (FY 20 & 21) for homeless property storage.

Thomas King with Park Ranger Keola Awong. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

     SUSTAINABLE HAWAI‘I with $3.9 million in general funds over two years for Sustainable Hawai‘i initiatives: $103,908 (FY 20) and $207,816 (FY 21) – four positions – Hawai‘i Interagency Biosecurity Plan; $1M (in both FY 20 & 21) for the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council. $7.5M (FY 20) and $5M (FY 21) Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund; $5.5M (FY 20) and $4.9M (FY 21) for watershed protection and $13.1M over two years for irrigation system improvements.

All-wood furniture by Honuʻapo resident Thomas King. See his work at kiawekingrustic.com. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

     The budget will go before the state legislature for discussion, adjustments and voting. Said Ige, "This budget aligns our values and priorities with action – doing things the right way to achieve the best outcome. I expect my proposed budget to be fully debated, and through this process we will achieve the best outcome for the people of Hawai‘i."