The 2016 Legislative Session wrapped up last week, and Sen. Roz Baker and Rep. Angus McKelvey of West Maui deserve credit for landing funds for important projects here.

In fact, the whole Maui team at the Hawaii Legislature did very well, securing more than $331.68 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for the biennium of Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 for various projects across Maui County.

The appropriations include:

* $10.77 million for Lahainaluna High School, to construct and equip a new eight-classroom building, install air conditioning and reroof Building A;

* $5 million for construction for a new alignment of Honoapiilani Highway – also known as the Lahaina Bypass – from Lahainaluna Road to the vicinity of Launiupoko;

* $500,000 for planning, design, construction and equipment for health, safety and public improvements at Lipoa Point at Honolua Bay;

* $2.25 million for construction and equipment for emergency dredging and replacement of buoys at Lahaina Small Boat Harbor.

In addition, Sen. Baker explained that the legislature passed bills to support Kaanapali Beach restoration (SCR125) and help keep Honoapiilani Highway “from falling into the ocean.” (The legislation is HCR 58, SD1.)

“Funding to alleviate traffic congestion and for improved health services will do so much to improve the quality of life for residents of Maui,” said Baker.

“I’m especially pleased with the support for the construction and improvement of Maui’s schools, particularly the funding for air conditioning at Lahainaluna High and for a new high school in Kihei, which is greatly needed for the families in this area.”

Sen. Baker and Rep. McKelvey will host a talk story meeting soon at the West Maui Senior Center to discuss the session and this year’s significant developments.