Report Title:

DOE; Capital Improvement Project; Kihei

Description:

Appropriates funds for land, acquisition, planning, design, and construction of a new public high school in Kihei, Maui; dedicates land to allow Kihei Charter High School to co-locate. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3074

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that public education is the foundation of our economy as well as a fundamental responsibility of society to its youth. A well-educated work force is critical to the economic and social health of Hawaii, especially in today's global, information-based economy. Education may be the most important key to our State and nation's continued prosperity and to the full participation of its people. The community of Kihei, the tourist and economic core of Maui, is an economic engine and it is imperative that the State provides educational opportunities for its high school-aged children to excel in and contribute to such an environment.

The legislature further finds that the community of Kihei is one of the fastest growing communities in Hawaii. The number of residents nearly doubled to fifteen thousand three hundred sixty-five in the ten years ending in 1990, to its current population estimate of seventeen thousand. Yet there is not one public high school serving its one thousand two hundred eighty high school-aged students. The four public high schools closest in proximity to Kihei—Baldwin, King Kekaulike, Lahainaluna, and Maui already exceed the board of education's design size of one high school per one thousand students. Maui high school is one hundred twenty-one per cent of capacity, and King Kekaulike is one hundred nine per cent of capacity.

The legislature further finds that at least six hundred students from Kihei attend Maui high school, which is approximately a one hour commute by school bus every school day. Approximately one hundred sixty four students from Kihei attend Baldwin high school, which is even farther away than Maui high school.

The legislature further finds that a public facilities assessment update of the County of Maui reported that, based on its projection that Kihei will include one thousand one hundred thirty-eight high school aged children by 2005, and taking into account the board of education's design size of one high school per one thousand students, the construction of a regional high school in Kihei by 2005 is essential and justified.

The legislature further finds that while a public charter high school opened in Kihei in 2001, it can only enroll between sixty to two hundred fifty students, and is not capable of providing the advantage of a fully equipped, turn-key high school that has a comprehensive curriculum including sports, a library, gymnasium, cafeteria, and an administration building. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for land acquisition, planning, design, and construction of a new public high school in Kihei, Maui, and to dedicate land for the use of the Kihei public charter high school. As an alternative, the department is encouraged to explore a public-private partnership, pursuant to section 302A-1506, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to implement this Act.

SECTION 2. For purposes of this Act, the new public high school shall be fully networked and have the capacity to fully integrate technology into all aspects of the school curriculum.

SECTION 3. For purposes of this Act, and upon acquisition of the land to be occupied by the new public high school, not more than ten acres of this land shall be dedicated to the Kihei public charter high school.

SECTION 4. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $97,600,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for fiscal year 2004-2005, for the purpose of land acquisition, planning, design, and construction of a new high school in Kihei, Maui:

Land $100,000

Planning $500,000

Design $5,000,000

Construction $90,000,000

Equipment $2,000,000

SECTION 5. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2006, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 6. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.