State lawmakers wrapped up what they described as a “very productive year” at the state Capitol on Thursday, a session that marked the largest investment the state has ever made to try to reduce the number of homeless people and families camped on the sidewalks or in other public spaces statewide.

Lawmakers, who ended the 2016 session Thursday, said they were also proud of their efforts to finance a dramatic expansion of subsidized preschool education, and their efforts to bank $150 million in a budget reserve fund so that state government will be better prepared for the next recession.

Members of the state House of Representatives also said farewell to state Rep. Derek Kawakami (D, Hanalei-Princeville-Kapaa), who does not plan to run for re-election. Kawakami said he wants to spend more time with his family, and has pulled nomination papers to run for the Kauai County Council.

House Speaker Joe Souki praised his colleagues “for writing good legislation,” adding, “I’m very proud of you.”

As the Senate wrapped up its final floor session, Senate President Ron Kouchi spoke emotionally about Sen. Gil Kahele (D, Hilo), who died of complications of a heart attack in January as the legislative session was getting underway. His son, Kai Kahele, was appointed to fill his seat.

Sen. Sam Slom was also absent during part of the session as he recovered from heart surgery, while Sen. Breene Harimoto has battled pancreatic cancer.

“I can’t tell you how heartening it was to hear on Tuesday and again today 25 present,” said Kouchi (D, Kauai-Niihau), in reference to all senators being in attendance. “It’s been such a rare occurrence in this session.”

Following the floor session, senators spoke of their accomplishments, such as pouring tens of millions of dollars into affordable housing and programs for the homeless, funding the renovation of the state’s psychiatric hospital and allocating $100 million to cool public school classrooms.

Both House and Senate lawmakers cited their decision to set aside $150 million in the state’s “rainy day fund” as a key accomplishment.

“While economic times right now may be OK, we want to make sure that going forward we can keep these good initiatives and priorities going,” Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Jill Tokuda (D, Kailua-Kaneohe) told reporters during a news conference. “We have been through the recession, and we have seen what it is like to have to make cuts.”

House Finance Chairwoman Sylvia Luke noted that lawmakers increased funding for the preschool Open Doors program to $10 million from $6 million, which she described as “a huge step forward.”

The program receives about 2,000 applications from parents asking for help with preschool costs, and the money should be enough to help all 2,000, she said.

Souki (D, Waihee-Waiehu-Wailuku) acknowledged that lawmakers did not fully fund a replacement facility for the aging Oahu Community Correctional Center — Gov. David Ige wanted to set aside $489.3 million for the project — but said the Legislature had to make hard choices.

Luke (D, Punchbowl-Pauoa-Nuuanu) said lawmakers provided the $12 million for services for the homeless as a lump sum instead of dictating how the money be spent.

In one of the final floor votes of the year, House and Senate lawmakers Thursday approved a severance package for employees at Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital and Lanai Community Hospital who lose their jobs because those facilities are being privatized.

The severance package was sought by the public worker unions, and the Employees Retirement System estimates those severance payments and special retirement bonuses for employees at the state-run Maui and Lanai hospitals could cost the state $40 million or more.