Park and visitor attraction facilities on Kaua'i and the Big Island are getting funding for major improvements.

On Kaua'i, $1.5 million has been released to improve a 3-mile stretch of road between Koke'e State Park headquarters and Kalalau Lookout, a popular visitor area. The road has been deteriorating because of age, weather, erosion and increased use.

Construction of the first phase is scheduled to begin in November and take about a year.

Also on Kaua'i, $500,000 will be used to build a wastewater treatment system at Ha'ena State Park to replace the septic tank and rain field system. Design has already begun. Construction is expected to begin in October 2009 and take about a year.

On the Big Island, $1.2 million is being released to upgrade the handrails and make other improvements along the path between the Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls lookouts at Akaka Falls State Park near Honomu. Now in the bidding phase, the project is expected to begin construction in August and last a year.

In Hilo, $800,000 is being released to pay for improvements to the water transmission system that serves Wailoa River State Park pavilions and related facilities. The existing system is deteriorating because of age and root intrusion. The project is now in design, with construction expected to begin in July 2009 and take a year.

In West Hawai'i, $500,000 will fund a master plan and environmental impact statement for improvements at Kealakekua Bay Historical Park's sections in Napo'opo'o, Ka'awaloa and Pali Kapu o Ke'ua. Kealakekua Bay is one of the state's most historic and culturally significant areas.

An additional $500,000 will pay for a master plan and environmental impact statement for Kiholo Bay State Park Reserve to safeguard its 4,354 acres of cultural, coastal and environmental resources. Both projects are scheduled to begin in October and finish in October 2010.

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