The state has released $1.2 million for equipment and furniture for a new Science and Technology Building at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo. The money will be used to purchase furniture, as well as machine shop, physics, astronomy and chemistry laboratory equipment.

The facilities that house UH-Hilo's science and technology programs were built in the 1950s and 1960s. In addition to being too small, they lack the necessary infrastructure and equipment to support modern science programs. The new building will provide additional classroom and research space, allowing for the expansion of student enrollment in science and technology fields and increased research activity, according to a press release from the office of Gov. Linda Lingle.

The total project cost for the new Science and Technology Building is $28.5 million, which includes allotments of $3.5 million for design and $23.8 million for construction previously released by Lingle.

Construction is scheduled to begin next month and is scheduled to be completed in January 2010.