The Hawai?i State Capitol is set to undergo significant upgrades, targeting essential functions of the historic building, with potential costs reaching as high as $100 million. This extensive renovation could result in the Capitol remaining closed for an extended period.
State Comptroller Keith Regan emphasized that the Capitol’s basic infrastructure, including its electrical, plumbing, and wastewater systems, are aging and in urgent need of modernization. Critical components of the air conditioning system also require replacement to prevent any serious failures that could lead to operational disruptions. “The internal components of the building, particularly the mechanical and electrical systems, are past their lifespan and need to be revamped to avert potential major failures,” Regan stated.
The estimated costs for the entire upgrade range between $50 million and $100 million. However, specific timelines for both the construction commencement and the project duration remain undetermined. During the renovation period, both the Legislature and executive offices will need to find alternative accommodations.
Governor Josh Green’s proposed budget for the upcoming two years allocates $2 million for initial planning aimed at pinpointing other locations where lawmakers and top state officials can operate while renovations are underway.
The Capitol, which was completed in 1969 at a cost of $25 million, has been a designated historic site since 1978. Renowned for its unique design, including two cone-shaped structures resembling volcanoes, it is meant to be accessible and welcoming, featuring expansive lanai spaces where legislators and the community have traditionally engaged during sessions.
Despite a substantial renovation effort exceeding $69 million in the 1990s, which notably included the removal of asbestos, substantial portions of electrical and infrastructure systems were left unchanged. Regan notes that many critical issues from the earlier renovations remain unaddressed, saying, “We’re really looking at the areas that were not dealt with during the 1990s renovation.”
According to the Department of Accounting and General Services, there wasn’t sufficient funding during the previous upgrades to replace the essential infrastructure. In the past two decades, the state has invested over $56 million in smaller repair projects, including roof replacements, elevator renovations, and improvements to cooling systems. A separate $63.1 million initiative is currently aimed at addressing longstanding water leak issues affecting the Capitol’s reflecting pools.
“Our goal is to tackle all persistent problems that have remained unresolved for decades,” Regan expressed. He highlighted the potential disruptions if an electrical failure were to occur during legislative sessions, underscoring the imperative of timely upgrades.
The project aims not only to refurbish existing systems but also to enhance data capabilities to accommodate the rise in video conferencing and streaming, a trend accelerated by the pandemic.
However, determining suitable relocation options for lawmakers and the governor’s office poses a challenge. Previously, to facilitate renovations in the 1990s, the Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building was developed to house governmental offices, but it has since reached full occupancy.
Regan has not excluded the possibility of a similar approach being taken now, which may entail leasing or purchasing an office building downtown or redeveloping an area such as the land occupied by the K?na?u Hale building, which currently houses the state Department of Health. The $2 million request by Green would enable consultants to explore these alternatives, providing insights essential to shaping the timeline of the Capitol project.
In a written statement, Green remarked on the urgent necessity for extensive renovations in various systems of the Capitol: “Neglecting these upgrades could lead to forced closures, putting critical state functions at risk.”
Over three decades ago, a previous renovation project posed significant issues for former Governor John Waihe?e’s administration due to complications arising from asbestos removal, leading to cost overruns and project delays. Waihe?e acknowledged that the Capitol requires another extensive upgrade, citing the historical problems associated with asbestos, which was banned in 1978 but commonly used prior to then.
“There comes a time when the necessary work has to be executed,” he said, criticizing Hawai?i’s general maintenance practices, referencing ongoing issues at other state facilities. While he was assured that all asbestos had been safely removed during the last renovations, he acknowledged that surprises could emerge once renovations begin.
Regan indicated that the upcoming project would involve extensive renovations that had been deferred for years. He warned that such endeavors rarely come cheap, stating, “This project is going to be long and complex, and exceedingly costly.” He affirmed the importance of the Capitol as a community asset, asserting, “It is truly the people’s space, and we have a responsibility to preserve it.”
