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HONOLULU (Tribune News Service) A groundbreaking ceremony and Hawaiian blessing was held in Kapolei on Memorial Day for a $98.4 million, 120-bed veterans home that officials acknowledged was a big challenge to bring to fruition.
Construction already has started on the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, named after the former Hawaii U.S. senator who championed veterans issues, on about 7 acres, with completion expected in April 2023. Akaka died in 2018 at age 93.
The project was awarded a $44.7 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and received $53.7 million in state funds for planning, design, construction and equipment, according to the state.