
2015 – As a brand new legislator, Matt secured millions in A/C funding for ‘Ewa Elementary & ‘Ewa Beach Elementary (HB500 HD1 SD1 CD1) during the 2015 legislative session after his request for CIP funding to House leaders. These funds were included in the House draft of the budget that was sent to the Senate (HB500 HD1). Also in 2015, Rep. LoPresti joined Senator Will Espero in pushing for the addition of A/C funding for Ilima Intermediate School (a school outside of Rep. LoPresti’s District 41 that services students in District 40) during this time. $5 million was ultimately appropriated to Ilima in conference (HB500 HD1 SD1 CD1). Rep. LoPresti requested $10 million for Ilima and $12 million for JCHS in his 2015 CIP request bill (HB1261) on top of the requests for the elementary schools.

Matt requested A/C portable classrooms be relocated to Campbell HS. They now have many new A/C portables & all other portables have been given A/C!

After his first session Matt starts the “Cool Schools 4 ‘Ewa” initiative connecting hundreds of fan donations to ‘Ewa Public Schools. Similar initiatives are sparked statewide.

Matt receives numerous expressions of thanks (this one is a “fan” letter) from students and parents in appreciation for the donations Matt helped secure.

Matt argued for a new high school for ‘Ewa and confirmed with DOE that it is a priority. The Governor released millions to begin planning for this new High School.

2017 – As a newly appointed member of the House Finance Committee, Matt pushed for $100 million in A/C funding statewide with millions more towards a new classroom building at James Campbell HS. As of 2018, nearly all hot classrooms in ‘Ewa have received heat abatement measures.

2018 – It has been an honor to work with Senator Will Espero in the legislature to secure funds for schools serving Senate District 19. James Campbell High School (JCHS) received the highest level of funding in the biennial State CIP budget (FY 17-19) for existing individual schools – $27 million for a new classroom building. We are now highest out of 283 other existing public schools in Hawaii! This along with ‘Ewa Schools’ allotment of the $100 million for heat abatement, as well as significant appropriations for repair and maintenance, shows that our ‘Ewa public schools continue to get the attention that they deserve – and then some. JCHS also received $1 million to begin plans for a new athletics complex including a synthetic track & field, restrooms, and girls locker room.