Hawaii Clears $3.85M for Oahu Ambulance Station

Oct. 07--The state is releasing $3.85 million to build a long-awaited ambulance facility in Waipio and more than $4.2 million for other priority projects at hospitals around the state, acting Gov. Shan Tsutsui's office announced today.

The funds will cover planning, design, construction and equipment costs for the Central Oahu facility, which will also be the emergency operations center for Oahu's Emergency Medical Services.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell said in a news release that the city is proud to have worked with the state on the facility.

Tsutsui agreed.

"Through this great collaborative effort between the city and the state, residents in Leeward Oahu will receive enhanced emergency and patient care services," he said in the release.

The Waipio EMS unit has operated out of a building on Ukee Street since 2008. Tsutsui's office said the unit responds to about 14 emergency calls per day.

State Sen. Michelle Kidani (D, Mililani-Waipio), who has worked toward funding a new facility since 2009, said in the news release that adding the new station will greatly decrease emergency response times in Mililani, Waipio and all of Central Oahu.

Mark Rigg, director of Honolulu's Emergency Services Department, said the facility "ensures that EMS will continue to serve and play a vital role in the Central Oahu community to provide quality pre-hospital care on a daily basis."

The facility will also include a communication center and office space, photovoltaic system, solar water heating and full backup generator power.

Tsutsui also released funds for:

--Re-roofing at Lanai Community Hospital: $280,000.

--Remediation and removal of lead paint and asbestos at Kula Hospital: $300,000.

--Replacing 30-year-old elevator cabs at Maluhia Hospital: $542,000.

--Updating an obsolete fire alarm system at Leahi Hospital: $939,0000.

--Plumbing, asbestos abatement, roof maintenance and other repairs at Maui Memorial Medical Center: $1 million.

--Completing the second phase of a ceiling mitigation project at Kona Community Hospital: $1.2 million.

Tsutsui made the announcements as acting governor.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and his wife, Nancie Caraway, are on vacation in France and will return Friday.

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