Nearly $1.85 million has been released for capital improvement projects at Linapuni Elementary School and Kalihi Waena Elementary School on O'ahu and two planning studies covering schools on O'ahu and statewide.

"The maintenance of Hawai'i's public schools remains a top priority for my administration," said Gov. Linda Lingle in a prepared statement announcing the release of the money. "We must continue to move forward with improvements and infrastructure upgrades that will provide our students with a safe and comfortable environment in which to learn and grow."

At Linapuni Elementary School in Kalihi, $800,000 will be used to design and construct improvements to address unstable soil conditions and perform related structural repairs. Currently, shifting ground conditions are causing structural cracks to campus buildings. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 2010.

More than $388,000 will go toward a Storm Water Discharge Planning Study on O'ahu. This project involves the preparation of Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit applications to the state Department of Health for regulatory compliance with the federal Environmental Protection Agency's storm water discharge guidelines. The application process includes site assessments, the preparation of drainage maps and management plan proposals.

A total of 168 O'ahu schools have been identified as needing a permit. The money will be used to prepare permits for the 40 schools with the earliest completion dates and as many additional schools as can be accommodated.

A total of $359,000 will go toward a Facility Upgrade Study that will evaluate the buildings and infrastructure of older schools across the state in order to establish a framework for necessary upgrades and renovations. The study is scheduled to be completed this month and will be a step toward reducing the gap between older and new school facilities in Hawai'i.

At Kalihi Waena Elementary School, $300,000 will be used to design and construct heat-abatement improvements to create a comfortable learning environment for students using the music room, computer lab and an adjoining classroom on the second floor of Building F. Construction is scheduled to be completed by December 2009.