In addition to the usual bricks-and-asphalt improvements, representatives interviewed said they wanted to see a number of reforms to medical care and environmental stewardship.

"I'd like to see a chicken in every pot, maybe two chickens," said Rep. Joe Souki, who represents Kahakuloa, Wailuku and Waikapu. With the most seniority of his fellow Maui County House members, he leads the six-member, all-Democrat delegation. "We all work well together. We'll bring home the bacon."

And first on Souki's wish list is $345 million for Kahului Harbor, a goal he shares with Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, who has made massive improvements over six years at Maui's only commercial port a top priority.

This year, she supports new spending on airport modernization and harbor improvements amounting to $374.5 million.

Overall, Lingle has proposed a $1.6 billion capital improvement budget for 2008 as well as a $10.8 billion operating budget. However, state tax revenue projections for the new year have been short $290 million.

Still, hospitals, public schools, and housing and the University of Hawai'i at Manoa also all appear to be in line for funding this session from the Legislature and governor.

"I am optimistic as the session opens next week," said Rep. Mele Carroll, whose district includes East Maui, Lana'i and Moloka'i. "It will all depend on the revenue source and whether or not we can afford to fund most of the projects that are before us."

Souki, who serves as chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said he will continue to keep a close eye on making certain that funding and progress continue for the long-awaited Lahaina bypass as well as ongoing construction on the Mokulele and Haleakala highways.

Rep. Angus McKelvey, who represents West Maui and north Kihei, said one of his main goals is to require a West Maui transportation access plan in case of an emergency, such during last year's forest fires. The working group would use old roads, ferries, small boats and aircraft to transport people in case of a natural disaster. Carroll wants a similar plan in place for Hana Highway.

McKelvey is continuing his pursuit of getting West Maui declared a traffic emergency zone in order to speed up repair and construction of highways in the region, including the Lahaina bypass.

McKelvey also said he has a plan to expedite needed repairs to Ma'alaea Harbor. He would like to see the harbor reconfigured so it can accommodate the Lana'i ferry.

That would also lessen traffic on Honoapi'ilani Highway, he said.

Souki said he would also like to see the state install breathalyzers and cameras plugged into the ignitions of people convicted of drunken driving.

The devices, which are used in other states, would not allow the car to start if the motorist has been drinking. It's intended to still allow drunken driving offenders to drive to work, Souki said.

Souki said he wants to see substantial improvements in detecting invasive species arriving by plane and boat.

Rep. Kyle Yamashita, who represents Upcountry residents, wants to make certain that people who send packages containing invasive species are held accountable.

And Rep. Joe Bertram III, who serves South Maui residents, has proposed increasing the Department of Land and Natural Resources budget by $2 million on Maui to improve detection of invasive species.

"The DLNR has never had enough money on Maui," Bertram said. "This is something we need."

Carroll is calling for the creation of an environmental court.

"When there is no uniform application of law, spotty regulation of the environment ensues," she said.

Yamashita's list of bills he plans to introduce includes: examining the public benefit of state tax credits; creating a small business bill of rights; setting up a state-run agricultural processing facility to assist farmers; and establishing a statewide agricultural cooperative for product marketing and distribution.

Yamashita also wants $3.75 million to start designing a new 300-million-gallon Upcountry reservoir.

McKelvey said the state should pursue lowering medical malpractice insurance in order to attract doctors, especially to rural areas.

Bertram said he would continue with his plan to see regional boards set up that would have the authority to veto decisions by the State Health Planning and Development Agency.

Bertram said his bill comes after the agency's decision last year to reject the proposed Malulani Health and Medical Center because it would have competed with Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Bertram also supports building a hospital in West Maui.