Kaua’i state legislators have sent to Gov. Ben Cayetano for approval a $57 million supplemental public construction budget to improve state parks, a water irrigation system in West Kaua’i, the Kaua’i Veterans Memorial Hospital and the state judiciary complex by the Lihu’e Airport.
The improvements will shore up the island’s tourism and agricultural industries and public services.
At the same time, approval of another bill will allow lifeguards statewide to patrol county and non-county beaches without fear of liability due to drownings or accidents.
The law would benefit Kaua’i because the island, with treacherous currents, boasts largest number of drownings of any island each year. Kaua’i averages about 12 a year.
On April 30, the state Legislature approved a state budget of about $3.5 billion from the state general treasury and earmarked $450 million for new state construction projects.
In spite of severe budget restrictions, Sens. Jonathan Chun and Avery Chumbley and House Reps. Ezra Kanoho, Bertha Kawakami and Hermina Morita successfully secured the $57 million for public improvement projects on Kaua’i.
The legislators prioritize their budget requests and were able to increase Kaua’i’s appropriations from $30 million in fiscal year 2001-2002 to more than $57 million for fiscal year 2002-2003, Chun said.
“By working together as a team, the Kaua’i legislators were able to convince our colleagues of Kaua’i’s needs and get their support,” said Chun, Senate majority leader and chair of the Hawaiian Affairs Committee .
Chun said his main focus was to beef up the budgets for public important projects on Kaua’i, including:
– The upgrading of an irrigation system in West Kaua’i formerly operated by Amfac until the company shut down its Kekaha sugar mill operation due to lack of profitability.
The state subsequently took back the lands Amfac had leased from the state and the irrigation system.
The upgrading of system will help the future growth of Wines of Kauai, a new vineyard in Waimea Canyon, seed companies like Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. and Syngenta Seeds and a shrimp farm operation in West Kaua’i, Chun said.
The renovated system also will benefit new farmers who use land in the area, Chun said.
“Maintaining a viable agricultural industry after the demise of Amfac is critical for our economic diversity, both here on Kaua’i and throughout the state,” Chun said.
Work has already gotten underway with appropriations provided during first year of the 2001-2002 biennium state budget, Chun said.
– Improvements for the Wailua River State Park and Kokee/Waimea complex, popular destinations for visitors and residents alike.
A little less than $1 million from the state’s Transit Accommodation Tax also will be used to support state park improvements. A portion of that amount will come to Kaua’i.
– The expansion of the Hanapepe Public Library.
“The library is not just a storage place for books, it is a learning center for children and adults, a place for people to meet,” Chun said. We had it in the budget for a few years. All the legislators felt it was an important project.”
Kaua’i legislators also secured funding for work at the Kaua’i Veterans Memorial Hospital, the Lihu’e Airport, the Kaua’i Community College, Waniha Bridge.
Funds also were secured for improvements along Kaumuali’i Highway and the Kapa’a Bypass Road and the construction of a 50-meter swimming pool and sport complex.
Chun also lobbied aggressively for a new law that would allow first-tme non-violent drug offenders to go through rehabilitation rather than be sentenced to a jail term.
Chun also supported a law that would impose severe penalties for people who lure and use minors in sexual oriented businesses.
“It is quick and easy money for the girls. They feel secure, but in the long run, they are begin taken advantage of,” Chun said. “Our goal is to protect the youth.”
Chun also supported passage of a bill that would give limited immunity to lifeguards working at county and state beaches statewide.
Morita, who represents Kaua’i’s North Shore and East Maui and is the chair of the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, said she pushed for the passage of:
– The lifeguard immunity law.
– A law calling for a nickel deposit on most bottles, cans and plastic beverage containers beginning in 2005. Those deposits would be refunded to consumers when the containers are returned for recycling.
Options could involve the counties setting up redemption centers or having private recycling companies take the bottles, Morita said.
“This bill will result in a major recycling industry as well as give incentives to people to recycle,” Morita said.
– In response to high gas prices, a new law authorizing the state Public Utilities Commission to cap retail and wholesale gasoline prices, based on an index of West Coast gas prices.
Price caps must make allowances for the cost of marketing, transportation and a Neighbor Island “differential.”
Violators of wholesale gas caps would be subject to fines of $250,000 or more per violation.
– A law requiring TAT funds of about $1 million be used for improvement of state parks and natural resources.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext.225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
