Governor Neil Abercrombie anounnced the release of more than $13 million Thursday for various projects that invest in the local agriculture industry and upgrade the state's water irrigation infrastructure.

"As we continue to shift Hawaii?s economy to a sustainable foundation, our investment in New Day Work Projects must include upgrading our agricultural and irrigation systems, which is critical to our food security," said Gov. Abercrombie.

Projects identified with the help of state Legislators and county officials includes the following:

• $4,150,000 ? Paauilo Rendering Plant and Slaughterhouse, Hawaii Island ? Funds released to the County of Hawai'i for planning, design, construction and equipment for building renovations, infrastructure improvements and equipment replacement to facilitate economic development of the beef industry for the island
• $2,500,000 ? State Irrigation System Reservoir, statewide ? Land acquisition, design and construction for safety improvements to irrigation reservoirs, including vegetation removal, embankment lining, and repair and/or replacement of gate valves, spillways, outlet channels, and other features of the system
• $1,250,000 ? Molokai Irrigation System ? Planning, design and construction to replace an above-ground concrete flume with an underground pipeline, installation of a new hydropower plant and structural stabilization of an access bridge on the island of Molokai
• $1,850,000 ? Waimanalo Irrigation System, Oahu ? Design and construction to replace ditch lining, install supervisory control and data acquisition systems, and various other necessary improvements
• $1,000,000 ? State Agricultural Water Use and Development Plan, statewide ? Preparation of a comprehensive statewide plan to inventory irrigation systems throughout the state, including preparation of historic descriptions of original irrigation infrastructure, assessment of current conditions, proposing maintenance/improvements and identification of irrigation sources and water use requirements for long-term waster use projections
• $1,000,000 ? Hanalei River, Kauai ? Reinforcement of stream bank and construction of a structure to return water flow to the river?s main channel, feeding the Hanalei National Wildlife Reserve
• $500,000 ? Kau Irrigation System, Hawaii Island ? Planning and design for renovation of the existing water tunnel system in the Kau area
• $500,000 ? Waiahole Water System, Oahu ? Planning and design for replacement of nearly century-old siphons and related valves
• $300,000 ? Kekaha Ditch, Kauai ? Planning and design for improvements to the Black Pipe Siphon, Pali Wooden Flume and other structures