FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       July 29, 2005

MAYOR MUFI HANNEMANN LAUDS CONGRESS’ APPROVAL OF

FEDERAL HIGHWAY FUNDING

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann today expressed his gratitude to the members of Hawaii’s Congressional delegation for their success in including $158 million in federal highway and transit funds for Hawaii.  This money will be in addition to the millions of dollars Hawaii will garner during the next several years.

            Hannemann said, “We’re absolutely delighted that we’ll be receiving a total of $70 million of that $158 million total for much-needed improvements to Oahu’s transportation system.  Senators Dan Inouye and Dan Akaka, in particular, were instrumental in garnering a sizable share of money for the state, and I’m very grateful to them for their hard work.”

            Projects included in the budget specific to Oahu are: (a) $40.8 million for Kapolei traffic improvements along the H-1 interchange, which the City and County of Honolulu sought; (b) $400,000 for a study of the Waianae Coast emergency access road, (c) $5.25 million for the City’s Middle Street intermodal transportation center, and (d) $7.5 million, to be shared with Alaska, for a commuter ferry system that will link West Oahu and downtown Honolulu.  Hannemann said the Kapolei funding, in particular, was included with the endorsement of the City and he expressed his appreciation to Inouye and Akaka for their support for this item.

            A key proviso in the legislation was an authorization for the proposed Honolulu Rapid Transit project.  This allows the City to receive future federal construction funding after the completion of planning and engineering work.

            Hannemann termed the latter authorization a “milestone,” and the result of “a strong spirit of cooperation on the part of the administration and the City Council in working with our Congressional delegation and the State on finding solutions to our mounting traffic and transportation challenges.”

-30-

Contact:  Jeff Coelho, 523-4141