Lawmakers plan rail funding special session ADVERTISING Lawmakers plan rail funding special session HONOLULU (AP) — Lawmakers say they plan to have a special session this summer to discuss funding for Honolulu’s troubled rail line. Senate President Ronald Kouchi and
Lawmakers plan rail funding special session
HONOLULU (AP) — Lawmakers say they plan to have a special session this summer to discuss funding for Honolulu’s troubled rail line.
Senate President Ronald Kouchi and House Speaker Scott Saiki said in a news release Monday they sent the Federal Transit Administration a letter about their intentions.
They expect to have the session in July or August, but have not set specific dates.
The federal government has been waiting for an updated financial plan and could demand the return of hundreds of millions of federal dollars already spent on the rail line.
The rail project faces a funding shortfall of as much as $3 billion. The state Legislature ended its regular session in May without agreeing on a way to fully fund the project, which could cost up to $10 billion.
Officials continue efforts to cool school spaces
HONOLULU (AP) — Officials are hoping to complete efforts to cool 1,000 classrooms before the start of the upcoming school year.
The state Department of Education announced the new timeline Friday. Gov. David Ige originally hoped the work would be finished by the end of last year.
Air-conditioning units were installed in 456 classrooms, said Dann Carlson, assistant superintendent of the Office of School Facilities and Support Services, on Friday.
“All contacts were awarded, well over 1,000,” he said. “There was a clause that it should be done by June 30. We set that date knowing it would give us a buffer so by the time school starts, we would hit 1,000 classrooms.”
The work was delayed by high numbers of bids for AC installation, budgetary concerns and aging infrastructure at schools, the department said.
Some classrooms also will be paired with solar panels and heat-reflective paints. Trees also are being planted in courtyards to provide shade as students walk to class, and cafeterias are being fitted with large ceiling fans.
“This is a good first step,” said Corey Rosenlee, president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association. “There are going to be thousands of kids in school once it starts that will have ACs, and that is better than before.”
