The State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is showing some serious interest in moving forward with a plan to build a jail in Puunene. DHHL Project Manager, Kimo Kai testified before the Maui County Council last week, saying the DHHL has taken the lead on this project because it has strategic land interests in the area, and also to provide a means to rehabilitate and bring home some Native Hawaiians, who are beneficiaries, that are incarcerated on the mainland. Despite efforts from former Governor Linda Lingle to find a feasible means of financing the construction of the project, the last version of the plan stalled during her administration. At the time, the project was targeted at $235 million, and was proposed for construction on 40-acres of land in Puunene. The DHHL plans to present a proposal to the governor and the state legislature for the 2013 legislative session.
