State House Finance Committee members on Thursday visited areas impacted by the Lahaina wildfires on Aug. 8. This included a visit to the badly damaged King Kamehameha III Elementary School. State House of Representatives photo
State House Finance Committee members visited Maui last week and toured various ares in the Maui wildfire disaster zone in Lahaina to receive an update on recovery efforts from county and federal officials as well as identify key priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
It was led by Committee Chairman House Rep. Kyle Yamashita of Maui.
One of the areas committee members visited was Mala Wharf which is overseen by the state Department of Land and Natural Resource’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.
Conversations at the wharf focused on potential legislation for the upcoming session, with an emphasis on addressing commercial matters while taking into account the concerns of local residents, a news release said.
Division officials provided an update on the funds received in previous years from the legislature and the status of projects, which include upgrading bathroom facilities, improving lighting, and enhancing the facility’s striping. Additionally, officials indicated that a portion of the ramp is planned for renovation.
Members also received an update from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the West Maui temporary school.
A transitional campus will be located at Pulelehua near Kapalua Airport.
The school will support students who previously attended King Kamehameha III Elementary which was damaged beyond repair. The students are currently receiving their education in a hybrid, temporary environment at Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary School. The project is currently in the bid phase,and officials said that they will be reviewing the submission of proposals, which were due last week.
The committee members also toured King Kamehameha III Elementary, Lahaina Harbor and Front Street Apartments.
The apartments are a Hawai’i Housing Finance & Development Corporation, a 142-unit project built in 2001.
It was one of the few affordable housing complexes on Maui, a news release said.
Throughout the 2024 legislative session, there will be anticipated discussions regarding the need for affordable housing for residents, especially in the wake of the Lahaina wildfires, the news release added.
Committee members on Wednesday also toured fire ravaged areas in Upcountry.
-
- State House Finance Committee members on Thursday visited areas impacted by the Lahaina wildfires on Aug. 8. This included a visit to the badly damaged King Kamehameha III Elementary School. State House of Representatives photo
