$3.2M Released For Improvements at Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area

A Big Island beach park will get some needed improvements thanks to the release of capital improvement project funds by Gov. David Ige.

Ige released $3.2 million of state CIP funds this week for water system improvements at Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area in West Hawai‘i. The funds will be used for plans, design and construction for the replacement of the potable and irrigation water systems serving the park.

“Hāpuna is the most popular beach park in Hawai‘i County. Families from all over the island come to enjoy the beautiful beach and ocean,” state Rep. David Tarnas, who represents the district that includes the park, said in a press release announcing the CIP funds. “This appropriation will go a long way to repair and upgrade the potable and irrigation water system at the park, which has been constantly breaking and being repaired by the park’s hard-working staff.”

Work on the water system at Hāpuna is expected to begin this year.

“With these upgrades, park users will finally have showers and bathrooms that will consistently work, and an irrigation system that will keep the park’s landscaping beautiful,” added Tarnas in the press release. “Hāpuna is a treasure for our community, island and state. Mahalo to the Legislature, the governor and the Division of State Parks for supporting this project.”

The funds for Hāpuna are part of a total $4.5 million in state CIP funds Ige released April 25 to fund improvements at state parks throughout the islands. The money was appropriated by the state Legislature during the 2021 Legislative Session.