Kihei, Lanai school funds released

The Maui News
March 9, 2010

Plans for a new high school in Kihei got a boost Monday when Gov. Linda Lingle announced the release of $8 million for the long-awaited project.

The governor also released $8 million for a new six-classroom building at Lanai High and Elementary School.

The new campus in South Maui will support the area's growing population, the governor's office said. It will also permit high school students in Kihei and Wailea to avoid a commute to Maui or Baldwin high schools. Some South Maui students attend Kihei Charter School, which serves children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The release of money for the Kihei high school will enable the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to proceed with the appraisal of land to be purchased for the school site.

The state Department of Education is seeking more than 77 acres from Kaonoulu and Haleakala ranches for the new school, planned on the mauka side of Piilani Highway between Kaonoulu and Waiohuli gulches.

In 2006, the governor released $700,000 for planning for the new high school. Its total construction cost is estimated at $145.5 million.

Plans for a new building at Lanai High and Elementary School call for development of science, general education and special education classrooms. That project's total cost has been estimated at $8.6 million.

State Sen. J. Kalani English, whose 6th District includes Lanai, said the new building for classrooms on Lanai has been one of his top legislative priorities.

"For Lanai, it's something they really need. It's something they deserve," he said. "It should help Lanai quite a bit, with construction jobs, and there haven't been many improvements on campus for quite a while."

Original article URL: http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/529354.html

Return to Sen. English Home Page - KalaniEnglish.com

Home Bills and Resolutions About Senator English Committees Community Profiles Newsletter Archive News Archive Capitol Web Site Media Photos

Connect with Senator English

OUR DISTRICT