Ask the Mayor: When Will Kīhei High School Be Completed?

Kihei High School EIS. Courtesy image.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Dear Mayor,

Q: My husband and I moved to Maui two years ago. We heard there would be a new high school built in North Kīhei. Great news! However, now we hear the project has been in the planning for over 10 years, and to date, we have seen no building. Just how long before this school gets built? And, does Maui still have the funding set aside for this project?! Thank you.

A: The State Legislature approved $30 million in the last biennium to begin construction of the high school in Kīhei and the project is moving ahead, according to state Department of Education officials.

The DOE says they awarded a first-phase infrastructure contract last month to Alpha Inc., a local company here on Maui. After Alpha gets all the necessary permits, they will start building an access road and drilling wells needed for the high school. This contract for the infrastructure will cost around $400,000 and the state will allot the remaining money for site and infrastructure work on the project as it is awarded.

Future construction and completion will depend on availability of funding. The total estimated cost for the school is $130 million and the DOE says they expect the school construction to be finished around 30 months after full funding of the project.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email, by phone at 270-7855 or by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the Ask the Mayor column.