History

HISTORY AND FUNDING

The following timeline chronicles funding allocated to design and build a DOE Complex High School in Kihei since 2004.

2004 – INITIAL FUNDING

Formal plans for Kihei High School began to take root  in 2004 when the Hawaii state legislature appropriated $5.5 million for the high school plans and design.

The Legislature appropriated $5,500,000 in special funds (SEFI/GO) for fiscal year 2004-2005 for plans and design for a new public high school in Kihei, Maui, ground and site improvements, and equipment and appurtenances.  (See, SLH2004, p. 161).

2006 – $4.8 MILLION LAPSES

In 2006, $4.8 million or nearly 90% of the $5.5. million intended for initial design, plans and site work for Kihei High School lapsed, meaning it was gone for good, reabsorbed by the state’s general coffers and not to be used for Kihei High School.

According to information from the Department of Budget and Finance, $700,000 of the $5,500,000 was released for planning, but the remaining $4,800,000 lapsed on June 30, 2006.  Of the $700,000, $184,191 was expended, and $515,809 was encumbered as claims.

2006-2007 – $7.3 MILLION APPROPRIATION

In 2006, an additional $7.3 million was appropriated for land acquisition and design. Pursuant to Act 160, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, the Legislature appropriated $7,300,000 in special funds (SEFI/GO) for fiscal year 2006-2007 for plans, land acquisition, and design for a new high school in Kihei, Maui, ground and site improvements, and equipment and appurtenances.  (See, SLH2006, p. 583)

According to information from the Department of Budget and Finance, $2,735,000 was released for land acquisition, and $4,565,000 was released for design.  Regarding land acquisition, $4,655 was expended, and $2,730,345 was encumbered as claims.  Regarding design, $936,047 was expended and $3,628,953 was encumbered as claims.

2008 – $20 MILLION APPROPRIATION

The project gained momentum when the 2008-2009 legislature authorized an additional $20 million for land acquisition, and environmental assessment and permits. Unfortunately $14.75 Million or 74% would eventually lapse in 2010.

Pursuant to Act 158, Session Laws of Hawaii 2008, the Legislature appropriated $20,000,000 in special funds (SEFI/GO) for fiscal year 2008-2009 for plans, land acquisition, design, construction, and equipment for a new high school in Kihei, Maui, ground and site improvements, and equipment and appurtenances.  (See, SLH2008, p. 530)

2008 – SITE CHOSEN

The Department of Education (DOE), through a site selection process, chose a parcel of property in North Kihei. The 77 acre parcel is located on the mauka side of Pi’ilani Hwy at Kulanihakoi St.. The land is actually two separate parcels to be acquired from Kanoulu and Haleakala Ranch. Also during this time the DOE has been holding design charettes on Maui. The design charettes include national planners, local administrators and other local representatives.

2010 – BOE MOVES AHEAD

The prospect of moving ahead seemed to take heart in 2010 when the Board of Education (BOE) unanimously approved going forward with design and construction of the new high school.

The Board of Education’s Committee on Budget & Fiscal Accountability submitted a report recommending approval to proceed with requests for proposals to design and build a new high school in Kihei. General funds would be used to finance the project at no more than $12 million a year.

2010 – $14.75 MILLION LAPSES

Despite the imminent land acquisition and a recent BOE vote to proceed with Kihei High School, any thought of construction came to a grinding halt in 2010 when $14.75 Million was allowed to lapse.

According to information from the Department of Budget and Finance, $5,265,000 was released for land acquisition, and the remaining $14,735,000 lapsed on June 30, 2010.  Regarding land acquisition, $5,265,000 was encumbered as claims.

As of 2011, nearly $20 million has been allowed to lapse.

$4.8 million lapsed in 2006 and $14.75 million lapsed in 2010.

2011 – NEW BOE RECONSIDERS COURSE OF FUNDING

In 2010, Maui BOE representative Mary Cochran retired and the rest of the State’s BOE reps emerged from a new election. Maui residents had elected a new Maui BOE representative, Leona Rocha Wilson. After serving only a few months, a new law allowing the Governor to appoint the BOE was enacted and newly elected Gov. Abercrombie appointed Wesley Lo (CEO MMMC) as BOE rep for Maui. It was the opinion of Wesley Lo that using COPS funding for Kihei High School as approved by the 2010 BOE would not be his preferred course of funding. Essentially saying that there is no current DOE funding for constructing the school. In his voluntary position, Wesley Lo has been a proponent of Kihei High School and continues to work with the Governor’s office in helping to find other funding solutions.

2012 – LAND ACQUISITION AND EIS

In early 2012, the ranch lands were formally acquired on behalf of the state. At the same time the draft EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) was released for public comment. The final EIS was released in September 2012 and signed by Governor Abercrombie in November 2012.

2012 – FUNDING REQUEST NOT INCLUDED IN DOE and GOVERNOR’S DRAFT BUDGETS. STATE LEGISLATURE UNABLE TO PASS FUNDING REQUESTS.

Senator Roz Baker and Representative George Fontaine had both submitted bills requesting another $20 million to begin initial site grading and infrastructure work. Unfortunately both of their bills were killed and Kihei High School received no money for construction.

Fall/Winter 2012 – FUNDING INCLUDED IN DOE and GOVERNOR’S DRAFT BUDGETS

The DOE forwarded a budget to Governor Abercrombie requesting $130 million in the second year of the FY 2014/2015 biennium budget. The Governor approved the budget without changes to the funding request for Kihei High School.

Spring/Summer 2013 – STATE LEGISLATURE PASSES BUDGET INCLUDING $130 MILLION IN FUNDING

The state legislature approves the FY 2014/2015 biennium budget proposal which includes $130 million for Kihei High School in the second year of the biennium (FY 2015). Senator Roz Baker and Rep. Kaniela Ing helped move the request through the state Senate and House respectively.

Spring/Summer 2014 – STATE BUDGET REVEALS ONLY $30 MILLION IN BONDED FUNDING AVAILABLE

The 2014/2015 state budget carries over the line item for $30 million, funded by C-funds or government obligation bonds. In addition is the line item for $100 million in B-funds, which are not bonded, originally viewed as coming from State Educational Facilities Improvement Special Fund (SEFI). The $30 million in bonded funds becomes available in July 2014.

Spring/Summer 2014 – EXECUTIVE BRANCH CONFIRMS ONLY $30 MILLION AVAILABLE, DOE CHANGES PROECT DESCRIPTION TO DESIGN-BID-BUILD

In August we were informed by the DOE that the total funds are not available. $130 million was approved, however the executive branch has said that $100 million is unavailable due to a lack of a funding mechanism. The project has now been changed to a traditional design-bid-build, built and funded in incremental phases with multiple contractors. Relative to a design-build, this will add to the cost and delay the school opening. The DOE confirms there is $30 million available, to be used for a first phase contract to provide for basic site work, infrastructure and utilities. This contract is expected to go to bid in spring of 2016. The DOE expects work on Phase 1 to begin in summer of 2016. There currently is no timeline for when the school will open.

August 26, 2014 – DOE Superintendent Matayoshi CONFIRMS PLAN FOR PHASE 1

The DOE confirms there is $30 million available, to be used for a first phase contract to provide for basic site work, infrastructure and utilities. Design work (engineering) will be done by early spring 2016. Then the Phase 1 contract is expected to go to bid in spring of 2016. The DOE expects work on Phase 1 to begin in summer of 2016. There currently is no timeline for when the school will open.