Here's are the objective facts regarding funding for the Kihei high school so far. Pursuant to Act 41, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, the Legislature appropriated $5,500,000 in special funds for fiscal year 2004-05 for plans and design for a new public high school in Kihei, ground and site improvements, and equipment and appurtenances. (See SLH2004, Page 161.)
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.
Pursuant to Act 160, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, the Legislature appropriated $7,300,000 in special funds for fiscal year 2006-07 for plans, land acquisition and design for a new high school in Kihei, ground and site improvements and equipment and appurtenances. (See SLH2006, Page 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.
Pursuant to Act 158, Session Laws of Hawaii 2008, the Legislature (South Maui representation consisted of Sen. Roz Baker and Rep. Joe Bertram III) appropriated $20,000,000 in special funds for fiscal year 2008-09 for plans, land acquisition, design, construction and equipment for a new high school in Kihei, ground and site improvements and equipment and appurtenances. (See SLH2008, Page 530.)
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.
In 2011 and 2012, the lapsed $14,735,000 was not recovered because it was unable to get on both the Senate and House budgets. In both years, the funds were included in the budget of the state Senate, but not in the budget of the state House.
The governor is expected to include the project in his biennial budget and it will be up to South Maui's next senator and representative to make sure funding gets through both chambers.
* Kaniela Ing is the Democratic candidate for the state House of Representatives, District 11 seat.
