HONOLULU, Hawaii: The Hawaii State Capitol needs significant repairs, which will cost between US$50 million and $100 million and could require the building to be closed for a long time.

State Comptroller Keith Regan explained that the building's essential systems—such as electrical wiring, water, wastewater, and air conditioning—are outdated and need to be replaced. He warned that failure to upgrade these critical systems could lead to serious breakdowns and an unplanned shutdown of the Capitol.

The state has not yet decided when the renovations will begin or how long they will take, but they will require the temporary relocation of the Legislature, the governor, and the lieutenant governor. Governor Josh Green has proposed setting aside $2 million in the next budget to plan for alternative workspaces for lawmakers and government officials during construction.

Originally built in 1969 for $25 million, the Capitol was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Its design features distinctive cone-shaped structures representing volcanoes emerging from the ocean. The building was designed to be open and welcoming, with large lanais on each floor where lawmakers and citizens could meet during legislative sessions.

The last major renovation of the Capitol took place in the 1990s, costing over $69 million. That project included expensive asbestos removal, but due to budget constraints, some key infrastructure, such as electrical systems, was not replaced.

Since then, the state has spent more than $56 million on various minor repairs, including roof and ceiling replacements, elevator upgrades, and cooling system refurbishments. Currently, a $63.1 million project is underway to repair the Capitol's reflecting pools, which have been leaking water into the offices and parking areas below. That project includes waterproofing the pools and replacing the water feature with a glass-like surface.

Regan emphasized the importance of addressing these long-standing issues, noting the risk of significant disruptions if an electrical failure occurred during a legislative session.

In addition to structural repairs, the state also plans to upgrade the Capitol's data systems to support increased video conferencing and live streaming, which have become essential since the pandemic.

Finding a temporary workspace for lawmakers and government officials will be a challenge. In the 1990s, the state built the Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, also known as the State Office Tower, to house government agencies during renovations. However, that building is now fully occupied, meaning the state may need to lease or purchase a new downtown office building or redevelop existing government property, such as the Kīnaʻu Hale building, which currently houses the state Department of Health.

Governor Green's request for $2 million will help hire consultants to explore these options. The final decision on relocation will influence the renovation timeline.

Green stressed that failing to renovate the Capitol could force an emergency closure due to system failures. Former Governor John Waiheʻe, who oversaw the last major renovation, recalled that asbestos removal caused delays and unexpected costs but was ultimately necessary. He noted that even with previous work, maintenance issues continue to arise, as seen with the leaking roof of the Hawaiʻi Convention Center and the closure of Aloha Stadium.

"So this, this is a long project. This is going to be a complex project. It's probably going to end up being a very costly project," Regan said. "But you know, this is such an essential piece of our community, this asset, the facility itself.

"The Capitol really is the people's place, and we need to care for it that way."