Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board No. 34

November 17, 1999

Open House - `Olelo TV Series on the House of Representatives:

The House of Representatives has a weekly show on `Olelo (Oceanic Channel 54 - Sundays at 7:30 p.m.) to explain the issues facing the State and the Legislature. I participated in taping show Number 11 in the Open House series which is titled "The Fiscal Outlook." This show features four of us from the Finance Committee, including the Chair and Vice Chair, discussing the economy and the State budget.

My comments included: We need to cut taxes to stimulate economic growth. Hawaii has been bypassed by the economic prosperity on the mainland. In the rest of the United States, 80% of the people live in states where Republican governors and legislatures have cut taxes. Guess what? In the years following those tax cuts the states collected even more revenue. We have to do the same thing in Hawaii. My colleagues I had made a good start in 1998 when we reduced personal income tax rates. But we need to make substantial cuts to business taxes and the GET.

Second, our state government is too big and does too much. We need to carefully examine what should be the core functions of state government and stick to those high priority missions. The House of Representatives is working right now to evaluate and prioritize what the state government is doing, so I am hopeful.

Third, we have to make sure we squeeze full value out of every penny we take from the taxpayer's pocket. Government has to be efficient and effective. Part of the process to improve government is modernizing the civil service system. Again, I am somewhat encouraged since we are working on a bipartisan basis to reform civil service.

If we do not take bold and farsighted action, if we just continue on as we have for the past 9 years, revenues will continue to decrease as cost of government increases, and we will be forced to take a meat ax to programs and start laying off employees. That is not a responsible way to govern. We must act in the 2000 session to get our state economy going again. It is up to us.

This show will be broadcast December 19 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. on Oceanic Cable Channel 54 - `Olelo Views - The Public Access Channel.

Kapolei Library:

The 1998 Legislature appropriated $7.4 million to build phase I of the Kapolei Library on land donated by Campbell Estate. We must begin spending this money by June 30, 1999. A number of us testified before the Board of Education on October 7, 1999 (see box below) to support starting construction now. I understand the Librarian privately told the Board she had no intention of losing the existing $7.4 million appropriation. Based on her promise, the Board of Education approved the Librarian's proposal to seek new funding in the future. Subsequently, the Librarian told the Department of Accounting and General Services to put the library on hold. DAGS was also told the Librarian was going to request a new appropriation of $8.5 million next year, $12 million in 2001, and $4 million for books and operating costs. But we have $7.4 million now - let's use it!

The State Librarian and I disagree on the likelihood of obtaining new money to completely finance the Library as a new project. Just last month the Governor imposed $28 million in spending restrictions because revenues were less than planned expenditures. This deficit is anticipated to be $60 million next fiscal year, and $120 million in each of the following two fiscal years. I have strongly urged the State Librarian to use the money already appropriated to build Phase I of the Kapolei Library. While I will do my utmost to get new funding, I sincerely doubt we can find $20 million for a new capital improvement project given our economy and budget restrictions. We should build the library in phases, just as we are building Kapolei High School.

I recently wrote to the Governor (copy attached) to find out if he will, in fact, support the State Library System requesting these large amounts of money. I also urged him that starting to spend the existing money is the best way to get the library built.

My approach is to build as much library as we can with the existing funds, rather than hold out for more new money in the future. This is the "bird in the hand" approach. The State Librarian's "bird in the bush" approach might mean we won't get a library for many years. This makes no sense to me. We have started a petition drive to get the Librarian to start building a Library now. Call me at 586-8500 or 672-8550 if you want to help.

Thank you to the following people for their testimony before the Board of Education in support of the Kapolei Library

State Senate Senator Rod Tam
Neighborhood Board Members: Brent Buckley, Kioni Dudley, and Dave Gilbert
Makakilo Community Association: Ellie Kaanana
Makakilo Elem. School PTSO: Suk Moses
Friends and Neighbors: Herman Young and Jim Brewer

Thank you for meeting in my office with the State Librarian about the Kapolei Library


Friends of Kapolei Library: Steve Loring (President)
Rev. John Kinyon (Vice President)

Grace Pacific Air Permit Hearing:

The State Department Health with hold a public hearing on December 15, 6 p.m., at the Kapolei Elementary School on draft air permits for the Grace Pacific Makakilo quarry facility and the Makakilo hot mix asphalt facility. The hearing notice is attached.