Once completed, this project will consolidate the Hawai'i Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve units currently stationed at Honoka'a, Kea'au and the Kuneida facility in Hilo, and will also house the Hawai'i Office of Veteran Services.

In a news release issued today, Lingle said: "In addition to improving the efficiency of Hawai'i Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve operations on the Big Island as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2005, this important project will provide our Army personnel, veterans and other members of Hawai'i's military family with access to improved facilities and services."

The project involves demolishing old buildings on the current Keaukaha Military Reservation site and erecting new buildings on a section of the reservation adjacent to Hilo Airport. The new complex will include an assembly hall, classrooms and learning center, training device and simulation center, offices, locker rooms and showers, vehicle maintenance facilities and parking.

Lingle has also granted permission for $50.5 million in federal appropriations to be transferred from the state Department of Defense to the Department of Accounting and General Services.

The Department of Accounting and General Services was selected to manage the project due to their extensive experience in the design and construction of capital improvement projects across the state, and because of recent deployments that have understaffed DOD's engineering office.