The Hawaii Senate unanimously passed a bill to turn over much of West Maui to the Hawaii Community Development Authority, despite growing opposition to the idea.

The 13-12 vote came the same day the Legislature approved hundreds of bills, including one paying for the growing costs of the Maui fires.

Lawmakers are weighing several proposals to address the lack of school bus drivers, but it’s unlikely that any routes will be restored next year.

The debate is similar to what’s happening in other parts of the country that are also struggling to build affordable housing.

The full Senate is set to vote on Alapaki Nahale-a’s reappointment this week. The future of the university is at stake, the faculty union says.

Senators worry about the escalating costs for Maui hotels that the federal government is refusing to pay.

In spite of a Senate panel’s rejection, Alapaki Nahale-a wants to push ahead with his nomination “for our university and our state.”

Lawmakers have to address the superintendent’s pay range this year before the current law expires.

The fate of Alapaki Nahale-a is now in the hands of the full Senate, barring a withdrawal of the gubernatorial nomination.

Measures that won preliminary approval in the House Finance Committee would increase standard deductions and adjust tax brackets for inflation.