×

A sign of progress?

Well, the construction of the new high school for South Maui continues at breakneck speed.

As we reported last January, less than two decades after it was first proposed and two years after the groundbreaking attended by a passel of politicians, there is a little blue sign on the site of the school that reads:

State of Hawaii

NEW HIGH SCHOOL

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Superintendent Kathryn S. Matayoshi

Governor David Y. Ige

So far, that is the only visible sign of progress — but it is a sign. A little blue sign.

But don’t let 2016’s and 2017’s tremendous strides get you too excited. The estimate in 2014 of $130 million for the build-out of the school will probably go up by $75 million to $100 million since it will be built in pieces.

Apparently, the blue sign was the first piece.

We have tried to explain to our now 3¢-year-old grandson, Andy, that these things take time. He is a Kihei resident. We advised him that the school will probably not be ready when he enters high school in 12 more years. But it will almost certainly be ready when his children are ready for high school in 35 years or so. Most definitely, it will be a reality when his grandchildren are ready to enroll in 2082.

Andy doesn’t seem to understand. But, then again, neither do we.

Poor Superintendent Matayoshi — her reign ended before the school could be built. And Gov. Ige is hanging by a thread — he faces a tough re-election fight against U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. If Ige is defeated, will the state spring for a new little blue sign since both Ige and Matayoshi will be history? Will that be the second piece of the building of the school?

Ah, well, even if Ige does survive and is re-elected, we’d predict the school won’t be finished on his watch.

But, then again, the rest of us are gonna be dead before it’s built.

* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
     
Support Local Journalism on Maui

Only $99/year

Subscribe Today