Sen. Roz Baker (left) thanked Goodfellow Bros. Inc. employees for their role in helping to realize this important project for the South Maui community.

KIHEI – On July 27, Goodfellow Bros. Inc. (GBI) held a private blessing on the site of the new high school in Kihei to mark the beginning of the first phase of construction.

“I was honored to be invited to participate in this special blessing,” said Sixth District State Sen. Roz Baker.

“GBI is unlike any other construction contractor – they believe in blessing their staff and the work site before commencing on a project. Adding to the specialness of the occasion was what this project means to our South Maui community and to the students who will be educated here. This is a true milestone.”

Kahu Kalani Wong conducted the ceremony that included blessing the site’s baseyard, workers and the four corners of the school’s property.

The project’s first phase consists of the infrastructure, which includes all the pipes, roads and grading.

Designs have been completed, and Goodfellow Bros. Inc. won the contract for infrastructure improvements.

The first phase is expected to take about a year-and-a-half to complete.

Phase II will include classroom hale, an administration building, a hale that includes the library and cafeteria, a physical education room, two parking lots, a clay court and temporary play field.

The third phase includes a gymnasium and other hale for electives such as music, industrial arts, visual arts and digital arts.

The school will also have a track, outdoor basketball courts and tennis courts.

Sen. Baker noted that Phase II was recently put out to bid. There is a bid protest, so the successful bidder has not been determined.

“The good news is that the protest will not delay Phase I, and the project is moving forward. South Maui is getting its new DOE (Department of Education) high school,” said Sen. Baker.

The future high school is anticipated to open for the 2021-22 school year.