Maui Schools Included in State Funding Release

Kaʻū High School. Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

Maui’s Lahainaluna and HP Baldwin High Schools were among the list of public schools identified for capital improvement projects included in the latest round of funds released by the governor’s office.

The Maui Schools will benefit from part of a $7.5 million appropriation for program support at various schools across the state.

Funds at HP Baldwin High School will be used for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and funds at Lahainaluna High will be used to complete construction of a locker room project.

HP Baldwin High School. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The appropriation is part of a larger $62.4 million CIP funding release to improve various facilities within the Department of Education across the state.

“These funds will help to create a better learning environment for our keiki and provide teachers with the tools they need to succeed,” said Governor Abercrombie in a press release. “In the process, the funds will create work for hundreds in Hawaiʻi,” he said.

Lahainaluna High School Sign. File photo.

The funding release includes: $36.3 million for improvement and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure; $7.5 million for equality projects; $5.8 million for schools nearing their enrollment capacity and are short on classroom space; and $5.2 million for staff costs and project positions.

According to the announcement, this will cover fiscal year 2014 costs related to wages and fringe benefits for 60 project-funded permanent staff.