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Governor’s Office News Release: Governor Ige announces that Animal Quarantine Station preferred location for new Oʻahu Community Correctional Center

Posted on Nov 8, 2017 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige today announced that his administration has completed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the relocation of the O‘ahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) and identified the Animal Quarantine Station in Halawa as the preferred site.

“In my 2016 State of the State address I announced an effort to work with the community to envision a new future for Kalihi and pledged to move forward with the relocation of the O‘ahu Community Correctional Center. I’m confident that we will be able to build a modern facility at the Animal Quarantine Station that relieves long-standing overcrowding and is secure, efficient and cost-effective,” said Gov. Ige.

After careful review of the extensive research and analysis contained within the Draft EIS, the departments of public safety and accounting and general services established the following site preferences for development of a new OCCC facility:

  • Animal Quarantine Station Site – Preferred #1
  • Halawa Correctional Facility Site – Preferred #2
  • Existing Oahu Community Correctional Center Site – Optional if required
  • Mililani Technology Park Lot 17 Site – Optional only if required

The Draft EIS includes a discussion of the impacts of constructing and operating an OCCC replacement facility at each of four alternative sites.

The department of public safety is also proposing to relocate female detainees currently housed at OCCC to the Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) to better accommodate their needs. Relocating females to WCCC is also addressed within the Draft EIS.

“After careful consideration, I believe moving forward with the Animal Quarantine location as our preferred site is the right choice. It is critical that we build a more modern and efficient jail to house our current population, and today’s decision moves us that much closer to making this goal a reality,” said Nolan Espinda, director, Department of Public Safety.

“The site selection and evaluation process used to develop the draft environmental impact statement for the replacement of OCCC was rigorous and transparent. The state and its consultants have worked effectively to ensure the integrity of a process that included an extensive public outreach and engagement effort and the identification and evaluation of potential impacts to the environment and the public,” said Roderick K. Becker, Comptroller.
Preparation of an EIS is required pursuant to Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) and Chapter 200, Title 11, State of Hawaii Department of Health Administrative Rules, based on the use of State funds and State lands.
The Draft EIS is available for downloading or viewing from the following sources:

The Draft EIS public comment period will begin on November 8, 2017 and end on January 8, 2018. The November 8, 2017 issue of OEQC’s The Environmental Notice will provide contact information (mailing and email addresses) for addressing public comments.

PSD will also host a public meeting to share its findings and to allow for public comments and input concerning the Draft EIS and the proposed project:

WHEN: 7:00 PM, Wednesday, November 29, 2017
WHERE: Aloha Stadium Hospitality Room
99-500 Salt Lake Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

Additional information concerning the OCCC project is available at: https://dps.hawaii.gov/occc-future-plans.

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Media Contacts:
Cindy McMillan
Communications Director
Office of the Governor
Office: 808-586-0012
Mobile: 808-265-7974
[email protected]

Toni Schwartz
Public Information Officer
Hawaii Department of Public Safety
Office: 808-587-1358
Mobile: 808-683-5507
[email protected]