Adam RollinsAs part of its proposed $5 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the city of Honolulu will dedicate more than $1.2 billion to capital improvement projects. The funds will be distributed to support and/or advance ongoing improvement projects for public facilities, public safety buildings, roadway infrastructure, water and wastewater, recreation and transportation.
- $533.7 million will support refuse and sewer projects.
- $207 million will go toward improving and building bikeways, highways, streets, bridges, storm drainage and street lighting.
- $143.8 million will advance affordable housing and homeless service facilities projects.
- $86.1 million will be dedicated for parks, the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, the Honolulu Zoo and golf courses.
- $86 million will enable the city to buy buses and handi-vans, improve bus stops and ADA accessibility and upgrade the Middle Street Intermodal Transit Center.
- $82.5 million will enhance public safety initiatives, including improvements for police, fire, ocean safety, ambulance, telecommunications and traffic and flood control.
- $73.3 million will be allocated for civic center upgrades, transportation electrification, energy conservation projects and enhancements to bus and traffic facilities, public buildings and municipal parking.
The city’s largest investment – totaling $244.2 million – will fund several major capital improvement projects at two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The Honouliuli WWTP will upgrade its sewer basin facilities, secondary treatment, solids handling system, effluent treatment and outfall, headworks and associated equipment. Honolulu will improve the Sand Island WWTP’s facility infrastructure, basin odor control, sewer basin, energy efficiency, management and renewable energy production, primary treatment, secondary treatment, outfall and return flow treatment solids system.
Another $100 million will support affordable housing initiatives across the city, prioritizing mixed-use development. The city will buy and develop land in Transit-Oriented Development areas, create housing for the homeless population and build homeless service facilities. The budget includes $10.4 million to support development of low-income affordable housing options.
A major project featured in the budget is the widening of Salt Lake Boulevard. The city will dedicate $76 million to make improvements to improve traffic circulation and flow, address climate change measures and improve sustainability and resiliency.
The city will invest in its public transit service offerings, spending $74.2 million to buy buses and handi-vans that are available and accessible to residents. Buses that have met the end of their life cycle will be replaced with new vehicles.
Photo courtesy of ArdentArbitration
