Lorraine Inouye is a team player. With the help and support of her colleagues, she has advanced important initiatives for our state and Hawai‘i Island:
- Instrumental in supporting the installation of traffic lights and Village lights on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in the Kohala Resort district, helping to solve dangerous traffic intersections.
- Spearheaded funding to move Beaumont Research Center from UH-H Campus to Komohana Agricultural Research Center, which preceded substantial improvements to the Agricultural Center.
- Supported major buildings at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, including the $25 million needed for the new Sciences and Technology Building.
- Providing support for the $93 million Hale Kaulike, the Hilo Judiciary Complex on the Big Island.
- Supported major improvements to Hilo Harbor’s Pier 4 cargo wharf project, the Pier 1 cargo yard and passenger terminal improvements, which also added new docking pier for Young Bros.
- Fought for funds to improve the terminal building at Hilo airport. Over the years, she also pressed for major improvements to all state airports.
- Leader behind improvements to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, including the rental car operations.
- Pressed for major improvements to Daniel K. Inouye Highway (DKI), also known as Saddle Road, the final phase of which was completed in 2017.
- Continues to fight for transfer of leases to the Department of Agriculture from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. She spearheaded Act 90, which called for the transfer and management of non-agricultural park lands and facilities from DLNR to DOA in an effort to ensure the long-term productivity of the state’s agriculture.
- Spearheading research and support for development of North Kohala water infrastructure to supply agricultural farm lots with non-potable water irrigation. Currently, farmers in the Kohala area must use potable county water for irrigation, which is wasteful and expensive.
- Spearheading legislation to streamline agricultural loan programs and to provide support and education to farmers.
- Substantial funding for Hilo Medical Center, its emergency room, and other critical
functions. - Fought against Neighbor Islands paying for Honolulu Rail through the TAT (transient accommodations tax).
Over her years in office, she has also been a champion of education:
- Requested and obtained Hawaiʻi State CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) funding for a new gym at Hilo High School.
- Worked to develop portable recreational facilities for Kalaniana‘ole School in Pāpa’ikou.
- Obtained $2 million in funding for a covered play court.
- Supports improvements for Laupāuhoehoe Charter School.
- Requested and obtained CIP funds for improvements at Honokaʻa High School and elementary school.
- Spearheaded funding for the 9-classroom STEAM Learning Center at Waimea Middle School, which houses science, technology, engineering, arts/ ‘āina and math classes for nearly 250 students. The center opened in 2018.
- Requested and received CIP Funds for a new gym and new building for Science and Tech at Kohala High.
- Provided support for a new 13,000 square foot classroom building and office space at Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School.
