Funding Released For Design of Waikoloa Library

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has released $525,000 for design of a new public library in Waikoloa.

The village currently lacks a permanent library facility, his office said.

The closest library is the Thelma Parker Library, located about 17 miles away in Waimea.

The state budget passed during the past legislative session contained $800,000 for a new regional library in Puna. The appropriation included $250,000 for planning and $550,000 for design.

State officials have acknowledged the need for new library facilities in Puna, which has the second-highest library usage on the Big Island.

The district trails only South Hilo, which consists of just the library on Waianuenue Avenue, which is the busiest library in the state.

The Puna library monies have yet to be released.

The Waikoloa library funding was part of $46 million released Thursday for capital improvement projects statewide.

The funds included $300,000 for planning of a veterans center in Kona.

Currently, the nearest veterans center is located in Hilo.