Baker to hold fundraiser for re-election to South and West Maui State Senate seat.

State Sen. Roz Baker, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, announced plans to run for re-election for the 5th District State Senate seat encompassing South and West Maui. Friends of Rosalyn Baker, the campaign’s committee, will host a $25 fundraiser at the Maui Tropical Plantation on Tuesday, June 17, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., to kick off Baker’s re-election campaign. Attendees will be treated to a stew and rice dinner, cash bar and the cool jazz and Hawaiian song stylings of Maui’s own Henry Allen.

“It has been a privilege to represent the wonderful people of South and West Maui in the State Senate for the past six years,” Baker said. “We’ve worked hard to improve our schools, participate in relays to fight cancer, and create new youth opportunities like the South Maui Children’s and Youth Day in October.”

The senator emphasized how proud she is of what Maui’s Senate delegation has accomplished together.

“With the help of my colleagues, Sen. Shan Tsutsui and Sen. J. Kalani English, I was able to secure the initial $20 million funding for a new high school in Kihei. The site has been selected and the community input phase for planning and design is underway,” she said.

Baker listed other accomplishments: Air conditioning for Lokelani Intermediate is in the bid process; Kihei Elementary is finishing its renovation; improvements have been made at Maui Community College and schools on the West Side. She also secured the ambulance company stationed in Wailea, Medivac services for Maui County, including a new helicopter, and many improvements at Maui Memorial Medical Center with more in the works. As lead sponsor, she championed passage of the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act, which prohibits smoking in public areas and workplaces.

“As Chair of the Senate’s money committee, I have a unique opportunity to help ensure that Maui’s infrastructure and other funding needs are met within budgetary constraints,” Baker said.  “Helping to chart the county’s path toward energy self-sufficiency has been especially gratifying. The effort has resulted in more conservation enforcement officers on Maui, a protection plan for ‘Ahihi Kina‘u, lifeguards for Makena, and an ongoing management plan for the island’s reefs and near-shore waters.”

She added that education, managing traffic, workforce housing and improving healthcare services for all, including community-based long-term care and a hospital on the West Side, are important issues that still need action.

“I welcome the opportunity to talk story with my friends and neighbors around the island,” Baker said.

For advance tickets and more information, call 667-2225 or email roz@rozbaker.com. Tickets will also be available at the door.