$130 million is still a lot of money, even at today's prices, and it's an amount that can cause a few hearts to beat faster at the state legislature.
What can $130 million buy? It can pay for all costs associated with planning, design and building of the long-sought Kihei High School, and stop the nonsense of bussing students across the island because there is no place for them in South Maui.
But, what seems logical to Kihei residents can be a high bar if you represent the other islands. You may think that if you approve that amount for Maui, there might be nothing left for your constituents.
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From the Editor's Desk
Tom Blackburn-Rodriguez
Associate Editor
Fair enough--but short-sighted. The land for the high school has been purchased. The Department of Education has put the school on its list of projects that it favors for construction and, according to State Sen. Roz Baker, by doing it all at once in an "Design and Build" model, the state will save $22 million in construction costs by not waiting until later to build, when costs will certainly increase.
What can you do to help right now? Rep. Kaniela Ing has an idea, and he wants his colleagues who control the purse strings to hear from you right now.
Last week, 5,500 post cards began arriving in the mail asking you to contact Rep. Sylvia Luke, chair of the House Finance Committee, Rep. Scott Y. Nishimoto, vice chair, Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson, Vice Chair, and tell them how important it is to approve the money requested in his budget for the Kihei High School by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
Don't throw that postcard away! It's your opportunity to be heard, even if you can't afford to fly to O'ahu and testify before the Finance Committee in person.
What to do if you misplaced your postcard? It's simple--just contact the legislators mentioned above at their offices and tell them why a high school in Kihei is important to and your family.
Here is their contact information.
Sylvia Luke
Chair, House Finance Committee
(808) 586-6200
Rep. Scott Y. Nishimoto
Vice-chair, House Finance Committee
(808) 586-8515
repnishimoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson
Vice-Chair, House Finance Committee
(808) 586-9470
repjohanson@capitol.hawaii.gov
At a time when so many issues can divide us, let's pull together as a community and help our elected officials, and each other. This is Maui--let's get the job done.
