Governor Abercrombie Releases $48.3 Million for Public Housing Statewide

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Damon

Continuing to invest in capital improvement projects (CIPs) that improve state facilities and infrastructure while strengthening Hawaii’s economic and employment environment, Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $48.3 for public housing CIPs across the state.

abercrombieheader
“These investments will have long-term benefits, providing homes for island families while further stimulating our economy and generating local jobs,” Gov. Abercrombie said.

Allotment of funds for the following priority projects, identified by members of the state Legislature, has been approved by the Governor:

  • $25,822,000 – Lump Sum Non-Routine Repair, Maintenance, Improvements and Renovations, statewide – Planning, design, equipment and construction for public housing program site improvements
  • $10,000,000 – ADA Compliance for Various State and Federal Projects, statewide – Planning, design and construction to comply with the ADA for various state and federal public housing projects; among the various housing projects are: Hale Aloha O Puna (Keaau), Pahala Homes (East Hawaii), Pomaikai (Hilo), Koolau Village (Kaneohe), Hale Hookipa (Kahaluu), and various facilities on Kauai
  • $7,500,000 – Lanakila Homes, Hawaii Island – Construction for renovation of existing buildings at this public housing complex in Hilo that was originally developed in 1962; currently, it consists of 148 units built since 2000 and 62 original units built in 1962 (The 62 units are boarded up and abandoned, and the project will replace the existing buildings to allow the units to be rented to qualifying families)
  • $5,000,000 – Hale Laulima, Oahu – Design and construction for modernization, roof replacement, and termite damage repair at this 36-unit public housing project in Pearl City, built in 1981

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Breadfruit Harvest for Hunger Project

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Damon

COULD BREADFRUIT HELP ALLEVIATE GLOBAL AND LOCAL HUNGER?

The newly launched Breadfruit Harvest for Hunger project harvests breadfruit in Kona and distributes it to the food insecure. The project is based upon the simple fact that there are many people on Hawai‘i Island without enough nutritious food to eat, and at the same time there are literally tons of breadfruit that are not being harvested and eaten. Breadfruit (‘ulu) is a local, abundant and nutritious food that can be used to alleviate hunger in Hawai‘i.

Breadfruit

Breadfruit is a traditional staple crop throughout the Pacific region. According to Dr. Diane Ragone, Director of the Breadfruit Institute of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, more than 80% of the world’s hungry live in tropical and subtropical regions where ecological conditions are suitable for cultivating breadfruit. Just like in Hawai‘i, many people in the tropics have high food, fuel, and fertilizer costs and need sustainable, low-input crops. Many island nations are turning to breadfruit as a solution.

According to a survey done by Hawai‘i Homegrown Food Network, people who grow breadfruit reported that 46% is wasted. At the same time, many of Hawai‘i’s families are food insecure—lacking access to affordable and nutritious food.

In its first month of operation, Breadfruit Harvest for Hunger harvested, distributed and processed over 500 pounds of breadfruit.

The project builds relationships with landowners who have excess breadfruit and forms an agreement to harvest. The breadfruit is then distributed through social service agencies such as the Kealakehe Meet and Eat, Ocean View Food Basket and Hawai‘i Island Youth Corps. Excess breadfruit is processed and frozen for future use by the West Hawai‘i Community College Culinary Arts Program.

The Breadfruit Harvest for Hunger project was started with the support of the Omidyar ‘Ohana Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation. It is an initiative of Ho‘oulu ka ‘Ulu—a project to revitalize ‘ulu (breadfruit) as an attractive, delicious, nutritious, abundant, affordable, and culturally appropriate food which addresses Hawai’i’s food security issues.  The Ho‘oulu ka ‘Ulu project is led by Hawai‘i Homegrown Food Network and the Breadfruit Institute of the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

The project is seeking additional partnerships with landowners who have excess breadfruit and agencies that serve the food insecure.  For more information or to donate breadfruit from your trees, please email hooulu@hawaiihomegrown.net or call Andrea Dean at 960-3727. More information about the project can be found at www.breadfruit.info.

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Free Value-Added Guide for Hawai’i Producers Released

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Damon

A free 58-page guide entitled, Adding Value to Locally Grown Crops in Hawai‘i: A Guide for Small Farm Enterprise Innovation is now available. Because of the high cost of labor, land, and materials in Hawai‘i, family farms are only economically sustainable if they can produce high-quality products that are valued above cheap imports.

Front cover: Adding Value to Locally Grown Crops in Hawai‘i: A Guide for Small Farm Enterprise Innovation

Front cover: Adding Value to Locally Grown Crops in Hawai‘i: A Guide for Small Farm Enterprise Innovation

This guide helps growers add value to all aspects of their farm enterprise and offers resources for further developing their strategies. “If you cherish the farming lifestyle and want to keep farming, you have to make your farm profitable. This guide goes a long way towards showing how to escape from the fatal trap of commoditization by adding value for the consumer,” observes Dr. Kent Fleming, an extension economist who has developed numerous cost-of-production spreadsheets for the University of Hawai’i and other organizations worldwide.

The guide was authored by Craig Elevitch and Ken Love with input from agricultural professionals statewide. Elevitch is an agroforestry educator whose most recent book Specialty Crops for Pacific Islands (2011) provides insights into sustainable cultivation and processing techniques for local and export markets with an emphasis on production methods, postharvest processing, and marketing. Love, widely known as a passionate advocate for the innovative small farm, is co-owner of Love Family Farms in Kona, Hawai’i, which produces a range of value-added products including jams, jellies, dried fruits, and coffee.

“Adding value is an essential component of small farm sustainability,” says Love, who has extensive experience working with farm enterprises. “There are many different ways to add value in growing, processing, and marketing products. This guide is about finding ways of adding value to your operation that are best suited for you and that are ultimately profitable.”

The publication was produced with funds from the State of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, the Agribusiness Incubator Program of the University of Hawai‘i, and the County of Hawai‘i Department of Research and Development. The guide is available as a free download and a limited number of free hard copies will be available throughout Hawai’i. Distribution locations and a link to download the free guide are listed at www.valueadded.info.

 

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Mayor Kenoi Submits Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14 to the Hawai’i County Council – Message to the Council

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Damon

Dear Chairman Yoshimoto and Council Members:

As required by the Hawai‘i County Charter, the amended operating budget proposal for the County of Hawai‘i for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014 is hereby submitted. This balanced budget includes estimated revenues and appropriations of $394,318,524 and includes the operations of eleven of the County’s special funds as well as the General Fund. This budget is $8,886,474 less than the budget in effect when this administration began in 2008.

Overview

I would like to thank each of the members of the Hawai‘i County Council for your support and assistance in formulating a budget to maintain core county services in the year ahead. Our first obligation is always to properly protect our residents, deliver services to the elderly and the needy, provide for positive recreational opportunities for our children and provide an array of other essential services to our growing community. We are proud of our record in fulfilling these obligations despite unprecedented challenges during the past four years. We are determined to again meet our obligations to our residents in the year ahead, and to position our county to serve the growing needs of our communities in the future.

This budget proposal is the culmination of the very challenging years that have become known as the Great Recession. During the years that followed the economic turmoil of 2007 and 2008, our county tax collections declined and this county was forced to engage in an unprecedented series of budget reductions. County tax collections declined from $225.9 million in the year we took office to $198.3 million in the current year, which placed enormous strains on county government. This administration responded by cutting the county budget for four consecutive years, from $403 million when this administration began to $365 million in the current budget year. This required that county government become more efficient in order to maintain core services to the public. We witnessed an extraordinary effort by our county employees, who managed to maintain core services for our community despite a shrinking budget.

Budget1

Many more challenges lie ahead. We are emerging from this very difficult economic period with about 200 fewer workers on the county payroll than when this administration took office. However, the public worker furloughs that temporarily reduced salaries and wages to balance the budget in recent years will soon end. A series of new collective bargaining agreements have been negotiated on behalf of the state and the counties that will increase salary and wage costs. At the same time, expenses such as fuel, electricity, retirement and health care continue to increase.

Our departments in recent weeks have made it clear we now face deep cuts in core, essential services such as transit, parks and environmental management. This council urged us to take immediate action to prevent this, and we are addressing those concerns with this amended budget.

Addressing Community Needs

As our community grows, the needs of our residents also grow. Our police must have additional officers to protect public safety and to assure acceptable response times in rapidly growing rural communities such as Puna and Ka‘u. Our firefighters need additional resources and equipment to prepare them for the challenges of serving growing communities and the increasing demands of an expanding population. Demand for park space for our youth and our growing population is at an all-time high, which means the need for efficient park maintenance services is equally pressing. We are proud that the ridership on our Hele-On Bus system has steadily increased to record levels, but the skeleton staff of mechanics and support personnel that keeps our transit system running is now stretched to the limit.

These pressing needs cannot be addressed with another year of budget reductions. Therefore, this budget proposal seeks to build on the efficiencies that we have achieved during the past four years of budget cuts, and strategically invest resources into areas where our residents are now demanding improvement and innovation.

We will make these investments to better serve our communities while keeping the cost of government lower than it was at the start of this administration. We will collect less in property taxes next year than this county collected when we first took office four years ago.

Additional Police Officers

Police presence in the communities of Puna and Ka‘u has lagged behind the overall population growth in those communities. Growing populations in these communities have resulted in dramatic increases in calls for police assistance from the public. The Puna district alone encompasses 686 square miles, and residents and visitors made nearly 29,000 calls for service to police in 2012. Dispatchers prioritize calls in the interest of public safety, and the large distances our officers must patrol at times results in long response times for non-emergency calls. If this shortage of officers is allowed to continue, it could pose an unacceptable risk to public safety.

This budget proposes to add five police officers in Puna and another five officers in Ka‘u at a total cost of $588,688 for the coming fiscal year to address this issue. This proposed budget would also include $302,000 for police computer replacements to improve efficiency, and $158,884 in new funding for maintenance including investment in video surveillance cameras to protect public safety.

Fire and Ocean Safety

Additions to the Hawai‘i Fire Department budget will advance our efforts to improve fire staffing levels and modernize the equipment used by our first responders. That includes $168,000 for new front-line fire-pumper trucks for fire stations in Honoka‘a and Kea‘au. The replacement of both vehicles is a pressing need.

Also included in this budget request is funding for 12 new firefighters for the next fire recruit training class to fill longstanding vacancies within the department. The additional personnel will allow the department to reduce overtime costs, and will also make more manpower available for large incidents such as brushfires and natural disasters.

We are requesting $83,000 for salaries for two additional water safety officers at Punalu‘u Beach Park in Ka‘u. Currently this park is staffed with one water safety officer who works weekdays. The additional staff will significantly improve public safety at this increasingly busy ocean recreation area by ensuring an officer will be on duty each day, seven days a week.

The proposed budget also includes $300,000 for six new ocean safety towers to better protect both residents and visitors in our beach parks. The existing, aging wooden lifeguard towers were designed for a single water safety officer, but the current county system now calls for two lifeguards to be on site at many tower locations. The new towers will provide better work space for our officers, and improve visibility to increase public safety.

Transit Improvements

Our expanding public transit system provided a record 1.2 million rides island-wide last year. However, as more passengers ride, they require more service, which increases driver, maintenance and other costs. Our transit system has outgrown its existing staff.

Our Hele-On Bus system now has a fleet of 55 buses, and our transit system serves increasing numbers of riders in an area much larger than any other county. Our system now requires additional investment. This budget fortifies our Mass Transit Agency by adding $143,244 to fund an additional mechanic, a mechanic helper, and two clerks. This budget also increases funding for fuel and lubricants, and adds $122,170 to support a new Waikoloa shuttle route.

Our proposed staff additions will help address a backlog of vehicle maintenance that will make more vehicles available to enhance service, and will help the Mass Transit Agency keep pace with the ever-growing demands of increased ridership. These changes will allow us to continue to expand our Hele-On Bus service, including the new shuttle route to Waikoloa and the recently added service to Hawaiian Paradise Park.

We are proposing a bus fare increase from the current $1 per ride to $2 per ride for most passengers to raise an additional $637,500 in the year ahead. Fares for senior citizens, the disabled and students will be $1 per ride, and children under the age of 5 will continue to ride free. This continues to be an excellent value for our riders, since our projections show that our bus service will cost the county an average of more than $6.50 per ride in the year ahead. At a time when gasoline prices are at near-record levels, our Hele-On system continues to provide one of the most affordable transportation options in the state. We believe it is fair and appropriate to ask our Hele-On riders to contribute as we expand and improve their service.

Enhancing Information Technology

Information technology has the power to transform the way residents interact with their county government, allowing more people to access more services online such as bill paying, permitting, and reservations for licensing and other services. Our residents expect and demand that their government keep pace with the times by investing in information technology that makes it easier and more efficient for our citizens to do business with our county.

Building these systems requires a robust, resilient infrastructure, but our county’s current information technology network is underpowered and overextended. Our IT infrastructure is in need of immediate investment.

This budget includes $300,000 for critically needed new network equipment. The current design of the county’s network leaves it vulnerable to failure if just one or two pieces of legacy equipment fail. A redesigned network using modern equipment will increase the capacity, reliability, and speed of the network, which carries data ranging from everyday email to telephone calls to video conferencing in times of disaster.

Aging computers have also become a drag on worker productivity. Hundreds of the county’s computers rely on software that is so old that the manufacturer warns it will cease support of the obsolete operating system in April 2014, leaving those computers potentially vulnerable to cyber security threats. To keep our computer systems current and safe, we have budgeted $300,000 to lease 1,000 new computers to replace outdated, legacy equipment.

We are proud that our dedicated IT staff of 17 employees has kept our systems running with a bare-bones budget of $1.6 million, but our staffing levels are now far below national standards. National research shows a local government our size would be expected to have 93 employees in information technology, with a budget of $13.1 million.

Each of our existing IT personnel is responsible for supporting 152 employees, and we must provide them with additional support. We are proposing to add three new positions at a cost of $182,000, and are budgeting $28,000 for training to better equip our staff with the skills they need to keep pace with industry innovations.

We believe this is the time to overhaul and expand our information technology capacity to position ourselves to deliver the services that our growing community requires. We cannot delay these investments any longer.

Parks & Recreation

The Department of Parks & Recreation has overseen more than 60 construction projects during this administration while doing an outstanding job maintaining our park facilities and providing recreational services to our youth and seniors within our budgetary limitations. This proposed budget enhances the department’s capacity to maintain our growing portfolio of parks and facilities, and at the same time fulfill the ever-growing recreational demands of our community.

Seven new staff will be added to support operations, ranging from a new pool lifeguard to additional staff to work with our seniors. Parks positions that will be added or are being refunded after being left vacant in recent years are in Aquatics, Coordinated Services for the Elderly, Culture & the Arts, Ho‘olulu Complex, Administration, Parks Maintenance and Recreation.

The parks maintenance fleet will be enhanced in this budget, with $455,000 allotted for two pickup trucks with dumpers, a bucket truck, mini excavator, backhoe, tractor, and refuse truck. These tools will allow our maintenance crews to more efficiently maintain our parks and facilities, which are being used by more and more of our island families.

The popular Waipi‘o Ranger Program, which was first initiated in 2007, would also be re-established with $70,000 in this budget. The presence of the rangers will educate valley visitors about the history and resources of the valley, and provide a presence to enhance public safety. This budget includes $47,650 in additional support for our Elderly Activities Division to offset increased expenses including utilities and mileage reimbursements for our senior volunteers

Investing in a Sustainable Economy

Our administration is committed to investing in agriculture and growing a healthy Hawai‘i Island economy. Investment that creates opportunities in agriculture is ultimately an investment in our working families and in preserving open space.

This budget funds currently vacant positions in the Department of Research & Development, including an agriculture specialist and a sustainability specialist at a cost of $120,048. These positions will be staffed with strong advocates and skilled networkers who will work with their communities to implement recommendations contained in initiatives such as the county’s Agriculture Development Plan and the Food Self-Sufficiency Baseline Study.

This budget also advances our commitment to a sustainable future through a proposed $346,000 investment in agriculture support and development. These funds will be used to help grow the next generation of farmers and create jobs while reducing our dependency on imported foods. This proposal includes full funding for the six Soil & Water Conservation Districts on our island to encourage responsible and sustainable agricultural practices to protect our rural ecosystems.

Revenue Adjustments

The proposed budget adjustments described above will fund basic, core services that our residents deserve and expect. These proposals will allow the county to maintain essential county services for an expanding population in the face of escalating costs, but the county must have the necessary tools to meet our obligations to the public.

After four years of budget cuts, our per capita county operating budget today is the lowest in the state. County property tax collections have declined from $225.9 million in the year we took office to $198.3 million this year, and we must adjust property tax rates to provide the services our residents demand. Therefore, this budget incorporates a property tax adjustment that would allow the county to collect an estimated $219 million in the year ahead. That is nearly $7 million less than the county collected in 2008, when this administration began.

Our proposed tax rate adjustments have been structured to be affordable for every property tax class. For example, members of the homeowner class would pay on average an additional $8.59 per month under the new rates. Owners of agricultural lands would pay an additional $4.75 per month on average. These adjustments are affordable for our residents and businesses, but provide the revenue necessary to deliver essential services to our communities.

Budget2

These adjustments are broad based because they will fund investments that will benefit our entire island community. Our proposed increases in police patrol officers in Puna and Ka‘u will benefit those communities, while our investment in mass transit will benefit the entire island. The Hamakua and Kea‘au communities will benefit from new fire equipment, while the recruitment and training of additional firefighters will enhance public safety for the entire island. Our residents and visitors will be better able to enjoy our shorelines in greater safety because of the additional lifeguards and more modern and functional lifeguard towers we have proposed. Our proposed investment in information technology will better safeguard county data, and will lead to more modern and enhanced services for our residents.

Significant Changes to March 1, 2013 Revenue Estimates

General Fund

  • Fund Balance Carryover – Carryover projections have increased by $1,650,000, which represents an increase in current year expenditure savings as a result of restrictions on hiring, travel, equipment and other spending.
  • County Vehicle Registration Fees – Additional revenue of $894,600 is based on a proposed fee increase, which will more accurately reflect the cost of issuing vehicle registrations and provide for improvements to the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division operations.
  • Real Property Tax – Revenue was adjusted to reflect an increase of $18,750,000, resulting from a proposed adjustment to tax rates to provide necessary revenue to meet core County responsibilities. The proposed rates are shown in Exhibit A.

Highway Fund

  • Vehicle & Trailer Weight Taxes – Proposed increases to weight taxes generated an additional $1,881,000 to support transportation services.

Sewer Fund

  • Transfer from General Fund – Additional revenue of $1,594,352 will be provided by general fund transfer to meet the critical operational needs of the Wastewater Division, including negotiated wage increases.

Significant Changes to March 1, 2013 Expenditure Estimates
 
General Fund

  • Provision for Compensation Adjustment – Collective bargaining agreements have recently concluded for UPW and HGEA.  A provision for wage increases was added to reflect this amount, estimated at $2,950,000.
  • Post-employment Benefits – Funding in the amount of $3,150,000 was added in the expectation of making a contribution toward the County’s unfunded future health benefits (GASB 45).
  • Health Benefits and Retirement Benefits – An additional $2,250,000 was put in the budget based on updated estimates of required payments.
  • Transfer to Sewer Fund – Subsidy to the fund has been increased by $1,594,352 to add funding for critical operational needs of the division.

Highway Fund

  • Mass Transit – Funding of $1,881,000 was shifted from the general fund to the highway fund, based on revenue from proposed vehicle weight tax increases.

Position Changes from March 1, 2013 Budget Proposal

Budget3

Conclusion

Our core county government services must be maintained, and we must now make strategic investments in critical areas such as police protection, ocean safety, information technology and our mass transit system. These are appropriate and important areas where the county should invest resources to improve public safety and public services.

This administration has reduced tax collections and cut spending for four consecutive years. We appreciate the difficult decisions our departments made in this challenging environment to reduce costs while still protecting core services, and we are proud of our administration’s record of accomplishment.

These efforts have clearly made county government leaner and more efficient. Our county government is less expensive today than it was four years ago, and this proposed budget is $8,886,474 less than the budget in effect when this administration began.

We believe this budget represents a careful, thoughtful plan to better serve our growing population. It represents an investment in exactly those areas where the need is greatest, and where the benefits to our communities will be most important.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss this budget in further detail with you and to answer any concerns that you may have. Thank you for your consideration.

Aloha,
William P. Kenoi
MAYOR

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Hawaii Legislature Unanimously Passes State Budget

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Damon

The Hawaii State Legislature today voted unanimously in both the House and Senate to approve the state budget for the upcoming FY2013-2015 biennium.

capital

HB200 CD1 appropriates funds for operating and capital improvement costs of the Executive Branch for the biennium fiscal years FY2013-2014 and FY2014-2015.

For FY2013-2014, the bill offers $6 billion in general funds and $11.8 billion in all other means of financing.  For FY2014-2015, it appropriates $6.1 billion in general funds and $12 billion in all additional financing means. It also provides over $3 billion in funding for capital improvement projects (CIP) and $30 million Grants-In-Aid for non-profit organizations.

House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa) acknowledged that the fiscal outlook is looking positive but reiterated the importance of financial prudency, “our economy is recovering and while we have the money, it is now time to take a measured approach towards our State’s financial plan. This means passing a budget that takes care of our current needs, while also taking care of our financial obligations and reinvests in our future,” said Luke. “In this budget, we kept our promise to recapitalize the Hurricane Relief Fund and Rainy Day Funds and we have taken significant steps towards reducing our unfunded liabilities.”

The financial plan includes an addition of $160 million into the Hurricane Relief Fund and $50 million into the Rainy Day Fund. Most importantly, it includes appropriations of $217 million in the next biennium to begin payments towards the State’s unfunded liability and will continue to allocate funds every year ending in an allocation of $500 million in FY2019.

“We used the projected surplus to strengthen economic drivers to ensure increased revenue returns.  To help the construction industry, the budget bill authorizes more than $1.3 billion in general obligation bond authorization for capital improvement projects statewide.  Additionally, to support our number one industry our financial plan includes an $11 million increase to the Hawaii Tourism Authority to strengthen the marketing of Hawaii as a visitor destination.  We also appropriated $6 million to assist our growing high technology industry in investment start ups and tax credits for research and development,” said Luke.

Other funding highlights include:

 Agriculture (AGR)

·         Added $750,000 in general funds for the New Farmer Loan Program in FY14.  This funding will enhance opportunities for new farmers to grow and expand, while also supporting the State in becoming more food self-sufficient.

·         Added 10 positions and nearly $1.2 million over the biennium to the Plant, Pest, and Disease Control division to support the Apiary program on Maui, Kauai, and Kona, and various other programs aimed at protecting local agriculture from invasive species, as well as the Hawaii Queen Bee industry.

Consumer Protection and Commerce (CPC)

·         Added 2 temporary positions and over $300,000 in special funds each year for the Mortgage Foreclosure Dispute Resolution Program, which handles disputes between owner-occupants and lenders.

·         Added $190,000 in special and trust funds over the biennium to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for public service campaigns aimed at educating consumers on a broad spectrum of consumer issues, including the dangers of hiring unlicensed contractors.

Economic Development and Business (EDB )

·         Provided 3.69 temporary positions and $3 million in special funds over the biennium for the Hawaii State Energy Office Strategic Plan Programs to develop alternative energy resource related projects.

·         Added $800,000 over the biennium to the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems Program (PISCES). This supports the PISCES center on Hawaii Island to build an aerospace research and development park in cooperation with NASA and other international organizations, to be able to test aerospace robotics on a similar terrain.

·         Added $1.5 million in general funds over the biennium for the Hawaii Invasive Species Council in Forestry Resource Management and Development Division of DLNR. This restores funding to support invasive species control, bringing general funding closer to historical levels.

Education (EDN)

·         Added $12.9 million in general funds for the Weighted Student Formula. This funding will go directly to classrooms to support educational activities for students, teachers and principals.

·         Added $8.2 million in general funds in FY14 for a pilot program relating to Common Core Instructional Materials. This is the DOE’s initiative to give every child from grades 3-12 either a tablet or laptop to enhance their educational experience.

·         Added $1 million in general funds in FY14 for Common Core Standards Assessment in Hawaiian. This funding creates a Hawaiian language Common Core Standards test for 350 third and fourth grade students enrolled in 14 immersion schools.

·         Added $700,000 in FY14 in general funds for library books and materials. Includes funding for both physical books and e-books. Libraries have not received general funding for materials for 4 years.

Energy and Environmental Protection (EEP)

·         Added 13 temporary positions to Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) for Watershed Management to continue management of watershed projects.

·         Added 8 positions and $1.3 million for quality management and monitoring of environmental resources. These positions support programs for watershed and surface water quality monitoring, water reuse, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution control, federal and state clean water regulations, solid waste permitting and monitoring.

Higher Education (HED)

·         Added nearly $1.2 Million over the biennium for The Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the John A. Burns School of Medicine.

·         Added 10 positions and $3 million in general funds in each year of the biennium to support activities and growth at the University of Hawaii at West Oahu campus.

·         Added 9 positions and $3 million in general funds over the biennium for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Initiatives. This program enhances the professional development of middle school teachers in STEM subject matter areas.

Health (HLT)

·         Added $1.4 million general funds each year for Aging and Disability Resource Centers.

·         Added 1 position and $95,000 in the Children and Youth Services section to re-establish the Violence Prevention Coordinator position, which is responsible for statewide Domestic Violence program planning.

Human Services (HUS)

·         Added $3.1 million for various social service programs including those to expand voluntary foster care to 21, increasing the clothing allowance for foster children, and developing Neighborhood drop-in Centers on Kauai.

·         Added $750,000 in general funds in FY14 to expand the Housing First program to the Leeward coast of Oahu. This helps transition chronically homeless into affordable housing situations.

·         Added 5 Counselors and nearly $875,000 over the biennium for the Office of Veterans Services.

Public Safety (PSD) & Judiciary (JUD)

·         Added $327,000 in general funds over the biennium for the Automated Fingerprint Identification system maintenance. The system is used by the Honolulu Police Department and State Sheriffs in the field to check a suspect’s criminal history. This also includes facial recognition software which allows field officers to also check a suspect’s criminal records through photographs.

·         Added 94 positions for the re-opening of the Kulani Facility on Hawaii Island, as part of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative to bring prisoners home.

·         Added 10 Positions and $850,000 in general funds over each year of the biennium for additional security at courthouses statewide. These deputy sheriffs would provide additional security to courthouses on Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui.

Transportation (TRN)

·         Added $161,886,000 in special funds over the biennium to highways division for special repairs and maintenance of roads statewide.

·         Added 33 positions and over $2.3 million in special funds over each year of the biennium for additional janitorial support. Positions include: 32 janitors for Honolulu International Airport and 1 janitor supervisor for Kona International Airport, who will be tasked with improving the first and last impressions and overall experience of visitors by improving the quality of services and facilities at State airports.

Also approved today were the budgets for the Judiciary Branch and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

HB197 appropriates funds for operating and capital improvement costs of the Judicial Branch for the next biennium. The bill offers in general funding $145 million for FY2013-FY2014 and $144 million for FY2014-FY2015.

HB222 appropriates $3.1 million in FY2014 and $2.7 million in FY2015 in operating funds for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

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Hawaii Remains State With Least Stress

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Damon

Residents of least stressed states report highest levels of enjoyment

Stress Free

Hawaii residents remained the least likely in the U.S. to say they felt stressed on any given day in 2012, at 32.1%. West Virginia residents, on average, were the most likely to report feeling stress, at 47.1%.

Five Least Stressed States Five Most Stressed States

These state-level data are based on daily surveys conducted from January through December 2012 and encompass more than 350,000 interviews as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Nationwide, 40.6% of Americans reported feeling stressed “yesterday” in 2012, similar to past years.

Gallup has measured daily stress in its tracking survey since 2008. Hawaii has ranked as the state with the lowest percentage of residents reporting stress on the prior day all five years and is the only state to rank in the top five consistently since 2008. West Virginia, Kentucky, and Utah, have each ranked within the top five most stressed states for the past five years. West Virginia ranked as the most stressed state in 2012, Kentucky was the top state for stress in 2008 and 2011, and Utah was the top state for stress in 2009 and 2010.

For all of the states, stress levels were statistically unchanged in 2012 compared with 2011. Regionally, states with stress levels at or above 42% were clustered in the Northeast and Midwest, but also included Utah, Oregon, and Washington.

Lowest Stress States Report Most Enjoyment

Two of the five states with the lowest stress levels, Hawaii and Wyoming, also boasted the highest levels of enjoyment in 2012. In Hawaii, 89.7% of residents said they experienced enjoyment the day before the survey and 88.8% said so in Wyoming.

Five States with Most Enjoyment

Five States With Least Enjoyment

Rhode Island residents were the least likely to report feeling enjoyment the previous day, at 80.4%, although that is still high on an absolute basis. Residents in other high-stress states, Kentucky and West Virginia, were also among the least likely to experience enjoyment. Both of these states have appeared among the bottom five states for experiencing enjoyment at least three times since Gallup began reporting this measure, including 2012. Utah is unique in that it is routinely ranked among both the highest stress and highest enjoyment states, appearing among the top five in enjoyment in 2008, 2011, and 2012, suggesting a complex relationship between stress and other emotions.

Nationally, 84.9% of Americans reported feeling enjoyment “yesterday” in 2012. States with relatively lower enjoyment levels, below 84%, were primarily clustered in the Northeast and South, but also included Ohio. The states where enjoyment was higher than 86% were located mainly in the Midwest and West, including Hawaii and Alaska.

Bottom Line

For the past five years, Hawaii has consistently ranked as the least stressed state, while West Virginia, Kentucky, and Utah have been among the most stressed states. Despite this, Utah residents join Hawaii residents in reporting among the highest levels of enjoyment in the U.S., while West Virginia and Kentucky residents report some of the lowest levels of enjoyment.

While the relationship between stress and enjoyment is not clear, states with the highest stress levels tend to report less daily enjoyment. Further investigation into what drives stress, how it impacts people, and ways to mitigate its effects are important, as 40% of American adults consistently report experiencing it a lot of the day “yesterday.”

About the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index tracks wellbeing in the U.S. and provides best-in-class solutions for a healthier world. To learn more, please visit well-beingindex.com.

Survey Methods

Results are based on telephone interviews conducted as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2012, with a random sample of 353,564 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, selected using random-digit-dial sampling.

For results based on the total sample of national adults, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of sampling error is ±1 percentage point.

The margin of sampling error for most states is ±1 to ±2 percentage points, but is as high as ±4 points for states with smaller population sizes such as Alaska, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Delaware, and Hawaii.

Interviews are conducted with respondents on landline telephones and cellular phones, with interviews conducted in Spanish for respondents who are primarily Spanish-speaking. Each sample includes a minimum quota of 400 cell phone respondents and 600 landline respondents per 1,000 national adults, with additional minimum quotas among landline respondents by region. Landline telephone numbers are chosen at random among listed telephone numbers. Cell phone numbers are selected using random-digit-dial methods. Landline respondents are chosen at random within each household on the basis of which member had the most recent birthday.

Samples are weighted by gender, age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, education, region, adults in the household, and phone status (cell phone only/landline only/both, cell phone mostly, and having an unlisted landline number). Demographic weighting targets are based on the March 2012 Current Population Survey figures for the aged 18 and older non-institutionalized population living in U.S. telephone households. All reported margins of sampling error include the computed design effects for weighting.

In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

For more details on Gallup’s polling methodology, visit www.gallup.com.

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Top 10 U.S. Electric Utilities For Solar Power Usage

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Damon

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) has released a new list of the 10 U.S. electric utilities that have added the most new solar power to their systems and the most solar on a watts-per-customer basis in 2012.

Solar

This annual ranking, which identifies the companies that are integrating solar into the nation’s power grid, is part of SEPA’s sixth annual Utility Solar Rankings report. The full report, which will be released next month, identifies industry trends, such as total installed capacity, market share and industry growth rates.

Utilities ranking in this year’s top 10 (by solar megawatts) accounted for 73% of all capacity integrated in 2012, a slight increase from 2011. Among the top three in the rankings are some of the nation’s largest utilities – Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E), Southern California Edison and Public Service Electric & Gas Co. – which often rank highly in this category due to their expansive customer solar programs and utility purchasing programs.

Rounding out the list are Arizona Public Service, NV Energy, Jersey Central Power & Light, Tucson Electric Power Co., Progress Energy Carolinas, Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Hawaiian Electric Co. All were previously ranked in 2011, with the exception of Progress Energy Carolinas, which is in its first year on the list.

This is the fifth year that PG&E has topped the list, SEPA notes.

Separately, the rankings of the top 10 utilities by solar watts per customer take into account the number of customers each utility serves relative to their solar megawatts installed, giving small utilities a more competitive opportunity to measure their solar energy capacity.

Leading these rankings are many municipal utilities, including the City of St. Mary’s, Ohio; Kauai Island Utility Co-op in Hawaii; and Bryan Municipal Utilities in Ohio. Both Ohio utilities were not previously ranked, and Kauai moved up from No. 12 in the 2011 rankings.

The remaining top 10 providers include Hawaiian Electric Co., Chickasaw (Tenn.) Electric Co-op; Maui (Hawaii) Electric Co.; Imperial Irrigation District in California; Tucson (Ariz.) Electric Power Co.; City of Napoleon, Ohio; and Vineland Municipal Electric Utility in N.J.

Complete rankings can be found here.

Related articles

 

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Funds Released for Kohala and Waimea Capital Improvement Projects

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Damon

Funding for projects at Kohala Hospital and Ke Kumu Ekolu have been released by Governor Neil Abercrombie.

capital

Kohala Hospital will receive $2.2M for renovations and upgrades and Ke Kumu Ekolu will be receiving $1.2M for construction costs that will go toward roofing and interior repair.

“Mahalo Governor Abercrombie for releasing the funding for these two very important projects in my district,” said Senator Malama Solomon (District 4, Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona).   “Not only will the funding provide much needed repairs, it will also stimulate our economy and create jobs.”

Ke Kumu Ekolu is an affordable rental unit located in Waimea.

Kohala Hospital opened its doors in 1917 and is located in Kapaau.

The Abercrombie Administration is dedicated to accelerating Hawaii’s economic recovery through a broad-ranged series of capital improvement actions called the New Day Work Projects.

 

 

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Additional Funding Released for Lanakila Homes Renovations

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Damon

Senator Gilbert Kahele (District 1, Hilo) is pleased to announce that Governor Neil Abercrombie has released $7.5M for Lanakila Homes.  These funds will go towards renovations of the existing structures and buildings that are in urgent need of repair and maintenance.

Senator Gilbert Kahele discusses the future of Lanakila Homes with Gov. Abercrombie back in June 21, 2012. Photo Courtesy of Sen. Kahele's Office

Senator Gilbert Kahele discusses the future of Lanakila Homes with Gov. Abercrombie back in June 21, 2012. Photo Courtesy of Sen. Kahele’s Office

“Appropriating the proper funds and financial support for Lanakila Homes has always been one of my top priorities,” said Senator Kahele, “I am glad that the Governor has released CIP funds specifically to address and improve the critical conditions at Lanakila Homes and finally assist those in need with decent and affordable housing.”

Lanakila Homes have sat vacant in decrepit conditions for years.   Once the project is completed, it is expected to serve as public housing for families in need.

The Abercrombie Administration is dedicated to accelerating Hawaii’s economic recovery through a broad-ranged series of capital improvement actions called the New Day Work Projects.

 

 

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State Temporarily Suspends Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance Requirements Due to Nationwide Shortage of Testing Solution

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Damon

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is announcing the state’s temporary suspension of tuberculosis (TB) clearance requirements that are mandated in Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 164, for school personnel, students, food handlers, and workers in health care, domiciliary care, daycare, and residential care facilities. Beginning today, the state will not restrict attendance at work or school due to the absence of a TB clearance. The suspension is in response to a nationwide shortage of testing solution required for tuberculin skin testing.

Department of Health“With limited supplies of testing solution available due to nationwide production delays that began late last year, we anticipate people may have some difficulty getting tested for TB at this time,” said Dr. Richard Brostrom, TB Control Branch Chief. “TB clearance requirements will be suspended until further notice, and our state TB clinics will be limiting testing to specific high-risk groups to prioritize and extend current supplies.”

Because of the shortage of Tubersol® and Aplisol® purified protein derivative (PPD) solution, DOH is limiting TB testing available at state clinics to specific high-risk groups until further notice. These groups include:
• Persons with signs and symptoms of active TB disease
• Contacts exposed to an infectious case of TB
• High-risk immigrants referred from the Honolulu Quarantine Station
• Persons with immunodeficiencies
• Persons who require TB screening due to medical treatment

All other individuals seeking a TB clearance are advised to contact their private health care provider or health center.

DOH services related to the evaluation and treatment of persons suspected or confirmed to have active TB disease are not affected by the PPD shortage; these services will continue without change.

Manufacturers of the PPD have been experiencing delays in production since November 2012. It is estimated that adequate supplies of PPD solution will be available several months from now. DOH anticipates the temporary suspension of state TB clearance requirements may be in effect for up to 120 days or until the PPD shortage has ended. Public notice will be issued when the suspension is lifted and a grace period or catch-up date will be announced for individuals whose TB clearance was postponed to meet their requirement.

Hospitals and medical providers in Hawaii have received detailed recommendations from DOH on steps to take during the PPD shortage. For more information on tuberculosis or TB testing, the public may call the Hawaii TB Control Program at (808) 832-5731 or go to www.hawaii.gov/health/tb.

The DOH TB Control Branch provides effective prevention, detection, treatment, and educational services to reduce the incidence of TB in Hawaii. Program activities include diagnosis, treatment, case investigation, preventive therapy for persons at high risk, and direct testing services. Each year, DOH conducts roughly 50,000 tuberculosis skin tests, and provides treatment to approximately 120 individuals identified with TB.

 

 

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Biennial Condominium Association Registration Starts with New Look

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Damon

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) is kicking off the 2013-2015 Condominium Association registration period with the introduction of a redesigned website and enhanced access.

Registration is available through May 31, 2013 via the upgraded website at https://aouo.ehawaii.gov.

More than 1,650 condominium associations are registered with the DCCA’s Real Estate Branch. Those associations cover more than 157,000 condominium units and their owners in Hawaii.  “We’re pleased to provide upgraded services for Hawaii’s condominium associations and managing companies,” DCCA Director Kealii S. Lopez said. “The new design is clean and user friendly, making the registration process quick and easy, even from a mobile device.”

The website upgrade is part of the Abercrombie administration’s Information Technology (IT) Transformation Initiative, as set forth by the state Office of Information Management Technology (OIMT).

Click for more information

Click for more information

The design elements of this online service follows the new State of Hawaii website template, optimized for touch screen technology and smart phone interfaces by providing larger text, buttons designed for touch response and custom layouts for smaller screens.  They were developed through the eHawaii.gov program, a largely self-funded public-private partnership between the State of Hawaii and Hawaii Information Consortium LLC (HIC), a Hawaii corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC Inc. (NASDAQ: EGOV).

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Senator Mazie Hirono on Immigration Reform

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Damon

Senator Mazie K. Hirono hosted a roundtable discussion with community leaders about how comprehensive immigration reform could impact Hawaii. Among the 20 attendees included immigration law specialists, children’s advocates, philanthropic organizations and immigration justice activists. The meeting was the first of a series of events this week where Hirono will discuss how her work in the Senate impacts Hawaii residents.

Click to sign letter

Click to sign letter

“After listening to these local immigration experts, I was struck by their stories of how central families are to an immigrant’s success,” Hirono remarked after the event. “These professionals and activists serve on the front lines of the issue in Hawaii, helping immigrants wade through the bureaucratic red tape and see firsthand the challenges our immigration system poses for families.”

At the meeting, Hirono listened as participants spoke of their own daily experiences dealing with the immigration system and discussed ways immigration reform could make their jobs easier.

“What I thought was so great about the meeting is how many different voices from the community were here — the people from Micronesia, people with medical issues related to immigration, the immigration services community,” participant John Robert Egan, a Honolulu immigration attorney, remarked after the event. “It’s so great to get so many voices around the table and have a free interchange with the Senator.”

Mazie Poster on Immigration

Participants also spoke up on how important Hirono’s fight for the family immigration system is as the Senate takes up immigration legislation in the coming weeks.

“Senator Hirono showed understanding of the community’s needs and where we are in terms of advocating for the issues. Hopefully, she will be able to get support from the other senators because this really means so much, not only for Hawaii, but for the rest of the country,” remarked participant Melba Bantay, Program Director for Immigration Services at Catholic Charities Hawaii.

After spending three months in the United States Senate and joining key discussions on national security, economic issues, immigration reform and other matters important to Hawaii, Senator Hirono is meeting with Hawaii residents this week to discuss how her work in the Senate impacts them.

 

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Bill to Create Public Funding Option for Elections Scheduled for Final Committee

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Damon

Advocates for campaign finance reform were pleased today when the Senate Ways and Means Committee scheduled House Bill 1481 for a hearing.  The bill would create a law that would modernize Hawaii’s outdated partial public funding program for elections.

HB 1481

The original public funding program was implemented during the 1978 Constitutional Convention, but has become ineffective over time.  In the 2012 election cycle, only one house candidate used the program.  Advocates in favor of house bill 1481 say it is now time to upgrade the old program.

“Delegates in 1978 fought hard to implement this important program, and we owe it to them to modernize it to make it useful once again”, said Kory Payne, executive director for Voter Owned Hawaii, a non-partisan non profit organization working to pass the bill.

This policy has been gaining national attention also.  Public Campaign is a non-partisan, non-profit that works on federal legislation for publicly funded elections and has been supporting organizations locally.   According to Nick Nyhart, president and CEO of Public Campaign, “States are the true laboratories of democracy and Hawaii has the chance to be a national leader in addressing the growing influence of special interests in our political system.”

In 2008, Voter Owned Hawaii led and effort to implement a similar program for Big Island County elections.  That program ran in the 2010 and 2012 elections and was deemed successful.  Currently, five out of nine councilors on the Big Island were elected without accepting money from special interests.

Payne says the program is intended to serve taxpayers.  “Special interests donate to politicians to get a return on their investment, and right now they’ve cornered the market on elections and the public is not invited to the party.  Publicly funded elections will save taxpayer money by allowing politicians to make decisions based upon what’s best for the people instead of campaign donors,” he said.

Voter Owned Hawaii is a non-partisan, non-profit organization working to upgrade and modernize Hawaii’s outdated partial public funding program for elections.

 

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HMSA Acquires Shipman Land for Keaau Office Building

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Damon

To improve service for East Hawaii residents, the Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA) will start development of a new office building in the heart of Keaau town on two acres recently acquired from W.H. Shipman, Limited. The relationship between HMSA and Shipman began three years ago when HMSA representatives started looking for land for new customer service, sales, and call center operations.

Artist Rendition of new Keaau HMSA Building

Artist Rendition of new Keaau HMSA Building

“This is an investment in the health care infrastructure on Hawaii Island,” says Steve Van Ribbink, HMSA chief financial and services officer. “HMSA opened its first Hawaii Island office in 1946. Since then, we’ve grown our operations to include 45 employees in three separate offices.” The choice of Keaau shows a continuation and even acceleration of job growth in Puna, noted Shipman President Bill Walter.

“What we’re seeing are good quality jobs coming to Puna, which is important for Keaau and Puna,” said Walter, pointing to the Department of Education school complex and Big Island Bio Diesel as recent examples. “HMSA was looking for a location that would be readily accessible and have the convenience of a small town.”

The new two-story building will be located at the corner of Old Volcano and Keaau-Pahoa Roads. Shipman has retained the front portion of the property to provide retail services.

HMSA Keaau Location

Parking for both the HMSA office and future retail space will be accessible from both Old Volcano Road and the entrance to the Shipman gym.  The 20,000 square-foot complex is expected to be ready for business by the end of  2014 and the building’s design will be reminiscent of the plantation era, with gabled roofs, ample overhang, and breezeways.

“HMSA embraced our desire to have plantation-style buildings in the village,” Walter said. “They understand that what we’re trying to build here is something that will have a lasting and memorable character to it, something that will draw people in and create a destination,” Walter said. “We see HMSA as a company that is going to contribute to building a family-oriented, health-oriented, and friendly, livable community.”

HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit society founded in Hawaii in 1938. It is governed by a community board of directors that includes representatives from health care, business, labor, government, education, clergy, and the community. HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit hmsa.com.

W.H. Shipman, Limited, is a family-owned company vested in Keaau with more than 16,000 acres and a 130-year history in Puna. Engaged in land stewardship, commercial/industrial development and leasing, including the lease of agricultural lands, W.H. Shipman, Limited’s, growth is at the pace of East Hawaii’s. Building character and quality companies are chief concerns for W.H. Shipman, Limited.

 

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Blue Earth Announces MOU for ~$4.5 Million to Build & Operate 3 Megawatts Solar PV in Hawaii

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Damon

Blue Earth, Inc. a renewable energy and energy efficiency services company, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Xnergy Inc., entered into a binding Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with a major renewable energy company to construct about 3 MWs of solar PV projects in Hawaii. Under the MOU, Xnergy will provide engineering support, procurement for majority of the equipment and complete construction (“EPC”) services for the approximate 3 megawatts of solar PV projects. The EPC revenue for the Company is expected to be approximately ~$4.5 million.

Blue Earth

Procurement and Construction is expected to commence in April and be concluded during the fourth quarter. The parties are concluding final EPC and O&M contracts prior to the start of construction.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to provide EPC and Operational services for a major renewable energy company. We expect to soon be the largest by MW’s installed in the great State of Hawaii and leverage that into more opportunities,” stated D. Jason Davis, CEO of Xnergy, Inc. “Expanding our EPC business activities in HI will be beneficial to the ramp up of construction of our HI solar PV pipeline, including the Waianae project, which is now under construction.”

“Constructing these projects in conjunction with the completing the Sun Valley projects and commencing our first HI projects will continue the rapid ramp up in revenue growth and help the Company achieve revenue as presented in previous presentations,” according to Dr. Johnny Thomas, CEO and President.

Xnergy is a full-service EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) firm, which has engineered, installed, and/or commissioned over a 100 MW of traditional and alternative energy systems. Energy provides a broad range of comprehensive energy solutions including the design and implementation of energy savings projects, energy conservation, energy infrastructure outsourcing, power generation and energy supply and risk management. Xnergy serves private and public clients from all industries throughout the Western United States, including Hawaii and helps them minimize their energy consumption and reduce their carbon footprint.

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Commentary – Former Mayor Harry Kim on House Bill 106

Posted on March 16, 2013 by Damon

I have just been informed that HB106, calling for the repeal of Act 97, will not be scheduled for a hearing in the Senate. The bill will die if it is not scheduled for hearing by Monday, March 18. If that happens, then Act 97 will govern the development of the geothermal industry in this state.

HB 106

It is so very difficult to understand or accept that despite all of the support and testimony for HB106 for the repeal of Act 97 by people of Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai and Oahu, which includes the County governments of Maui and Hawaii Island, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Sierra Club, Hawaii’s Thousand Friends, and many others, HB106 may not be given even an opportunity to be heard by the Senate.

It has not been an easy task to convince people that this was not about a position for or against the development of the geothermal industry. This was about doing it right, with the concerns of the people and the environment being addressed.

What does Act 97 do?

  • Allows geothermal exploration and development in all state land use categories: conservation, urban, rural, and agricultural (including ceded lands).
  • Eliminates entirely the County government’s approval and review process over geothermal development. With this goes the entire permit process and people’s opportunity for meaningful input.
  • Allows geothermal power plants to be built anywhere in urban, agricultural and rural districts without a County land use permit or public hearing because it is a right by law of Act 97.
  • Allows geothermal exploratory and development drilling in all state land use categories of conservation, urban, rural, and agricultural land with only a BLNR permit.
  • Reinforces the elimination of the people’s right to a contested case hearing.
  • States that geothermal exploration and development are permissible in all conservation, agricultural, urban and rural zones; i.e. anywhere in the state.

It is noted that the sponsors of Act 97 originally attempted to exempt exploratory geothermal wells from Ch. 343, the state EIS/EA laws. Due to opposition, they sought an exemption from EIS/EA requirements from the Office of Environmental Quality Control in May 2012, but fortunately, this effort failed. Imagine what it would be today if this had passed. Imagine the only notification that the public would have of geothermal drilling would be waking up in the morning and seeing the drilling rig! It is of concern that the supporters of Act 97 may try again.

I consider Act 97 a huge threat to Hawaii’s people and its environment. I believe that Act 97 shows a blatant disregard for the community, the environment, local units of government, and the County and State laws of zoning and land use.

It is difficult to understand or accept that sweeping land use changes were made without any care or mention of people, of land, or of lifestyle. I ask for understanding that the sadness expressed here is not just about the development of the geothermal industry. This is about the relationship between the people and their government. This is about a hope for a government that is an extension of the people, and not for special interests or financial gain. It is asked that you become aware that if Act 97 is not repealed, it will open the way to an open door policy for the development of the geothermal industry including “enhanced geothermal systems (EGS)” or “fracking,” which is now being explored by the State of Hawaii. As stated, this is not about being for or against geothermal, this is about doing it right, with the greatest care of impact on environment and people.

At this time, efforts are being made to see how we can ensure that a hearing will be scheduled on HB106 in spite of efforts to kill the bill. It is probable, due to the lateness of this writing, that the deadline of March 18 will have passed. If you are reading this before the deadline of March 18, I ask that you contact the following Senators and ask that HB106 be scheduled for hearing: Senator Malama Solomon, Chair of the Committee on Water and Land (808-586-7335); Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair of the Committee on Energy and Environment (808-586-6830), and Senator Will Espero, Chair of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs (808-586-6360).

HB106, that calls for the repeal of Act 97, needs your help. This Act is a blatant disrespect of people, local units of government, of lifestyle, and impact on environment. It is hoped that our government will be of fairness and do what is right by law and a sense of what is right.

Harry Kim

 

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Hawaii House Approves State Budget

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Damon

The House of Representatives today voted to approve HB200 HD1 which appropriates funds for operating and capital improvement costs of the Executive Branch for the next biennium fiscal years FY2013-2014 and FY2014-2015.

capital

For FY2013-2014 the bill appropriates operating money of $5.9 billion in general funds and $11.6 billion in all means of financing. For FY2014-2015 it appropriates $6.1 billion in general funds and $11.7 billion in all financing means.

House Finance Chair, Sylvia Luke (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa) re-iterated her observation that while the fiscal climate is a little more positive than it has been in the past, “this is actually the time to take a conservative approach to our budget picture. We are not restoring all the budget cuts made over the last four years to pre recession numbers. We need to re-evaluate what government is here for, change institutional behavior and develop a budget that is transparent, efficient and accountable,” she said.

Funding highlights include:

  • $7.9 million in FY2013-2014 for a reasonable rollout of the State’s Information Management and Technology Transformation Plan. The Office of Information Management and Technology (OIMT) plan is to consolidate the State’s existing information-technology infrastructure, enhance security and privacy, and develop shared services functions across state departments.
  • Restored services and positions cut by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) by funding positions that support our local food sustainability and agricultural health. This includes 19 critical specialist and inspector positions to help control the spread of invasive species, 5 engineers for irrigation systems, and additional personnel that provide specialized testing for livestock.
  • $1.1 million for the State Library System to purchase additional books and e-books.
  • A total of almost $2 million to support for the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative to meet the State’s goal of using 70% clean energy by the year 2030.
  • To address the issues that encompass the State’s growing Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) unfunded liability, $205.5 million over the next two years has been infused into Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB).
  • Support for our local students by providing to the Department of Education (DOE) an additional $12.9 million for the Weighted Student Formula and $1 million for the development of a Common Core assessment test in the Hawaiian language to serve students enrolled at 14 Hawaiian immersion schools across the state.
  • Restored public health service positions within the Department of Health (DOH) including 8 vector control workers and $443,520 of funds to increase surveillance at our airports, 8 food safety inspectors, and 7 environmental health specialists and engineers to administer programs on environmental protection regulations. $800,000 in general funds for both fiscal years for Hale Makamae and Kula Hospital.
  • $10 million annual funding for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) to carry out its duties of planning and developing Hawaiian Homelands across Hawaii.
  • Significant support for the State’s largest department, the Department of Human Services (DHS), with $98 million to cover increasing Medicare costs, $1.9 million for youth and juvenile services, and 10 personnel to focus on homelessness project management.
  • Provides 9 additional positions to provide security and intake services for inmates returning from out of state facilities and appropriates $8.7 million in additional funding for the Department of Public Safety (PSD) to maintain essential functions.
  • Continued support of our higher education systems with $780,000 for distance learning courses, $1 million for operating costs at the West Oahu Campus and $2 million to support the community college system in each fiscal year.

Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)

The budget bill also appropriates funding for capital improvement projects totaling $798,530,000 in general obligation bonds and $1,707,745,000 in all means of financing for FY2013-2014, and $514,030,000 in general obligation bonds and $912,851,000 in all means of financing in FY 2014-2015.

House Speaker Joe Souki (Kahakuloa, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Wailuku, Kahului) said, “the funding approved by the House will allow us to move forward on vital repair and maintenance of our statewide infrastructure including maintaining our airports and public highways as an investment in our state’s top economic driver, tourism.”

House Majority Leader, Representative Scott Saiki (McCully, Kaheka, Kakaako, Downtown) added, “we decided it would be more efficient and effective to focus on getting ‘shovel-ready’ projects funded rather than directing money to initiatives whose plans and designs have not yet been completed. The CIP budget attempts to address the most basic necessities to fix our schools, infrastructure and facilities.”

The CIP budget now goes to the Senate for further consideration. Once approved by the House and Senate the funds are released at the discretion of the Governor.

CIP funding highlights include:

Agriculture

  • $7 million over the biennium for irrigation systems statewide

Accounting and General Services

  • $31 million over the biennium for the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
  • $8 million over the biennium for the design and building of the statewide information technology (IT) infrastructure

Business, Economic Development, and Tourism

  • $54.8 million for the development of a new facility for the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC)

Defense

  • $2 million each year of the biennium for improving hurricane protection for public buildings and increasing the number of public shelters statewide
  • $2.4 million each year of the biennium for replacement and upgrading of state civil defense warning system

Education

  • Total of over $355 million for biennium for the Department of Education, an increase of over $58 million from Governor’s budget
  • Over $113 million for the biennium for improvement of school facilities statewide
  • $42 million over biennium for electrical improvements, health and safety issues, ADA compliance, Title IX compliance, and special education improvements at school facilities statewide
  • $10 million for modernization of Farrington High School
  • $16 million for renovations to buildings at McKinley High School
  • $65 million to begin construction of Kihei High School
  • Over $28 million for the design and construction of additional new schools across the state

Health

  • Over $91 million for the biennium for Hawaii Health System Corporation hospitals for repair & maintenance, upgrades, and improvements
  • Over $10 million for development of Waimano Ridge

Libraries

  • $15.5 million for construction of a new library in Nanakuli

Land and Natural Resources

  • Over $18 million in all means of financing for renovations and upgrades at small boat harbors across the state

Taxation

  • Over $32 million for the Tax System Modernization program

University of Hawaii

  • $100 million over the biennium for system-wide repair and maintenance with $25 million of those funds designated for community colleges

 

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Hawaii House Passes Bills Supporting Labor, Big Island Initiatives

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Damon

A number of the bills passed by the House and now referred to Senate committees were introduced by Representative Mark Nakashima, District 1 (Hamakua, North Hilo, Rural South Hilo). This year, Nakashima has the added responsibility of serving as Chair of the House Committee on Labor and Public Employment.

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“Under the leadership of House Speaker Joseph Souki, I am privileged to serve as Chair of Labor and Public Employment, which has jurisdiction on many critical issues impacting our families including the minimum wage, sick leave, worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, and collective bargaining, said Nakashima.

Nakashima said he was pleased these measures were approved by the House and added, “I also am continuing my efforts to create a more self-sufficient Hawaii. Since my election to the House in 2008, I have supported a platform that includes energy self-sufficiency, agricultural sustainability, and economic independence.”

Listed below are several key bills on labor, energy self sufficiency, and economic independence introduced and supported by Representative Nakashima:

  • HB 1028 HD2 that spreads out the increase in the minimum wage across three years instead of immediately spiking up $1.50 on January 1, 2014. Unemployment premium relief was also extended to allow businesses to more fully recover.
  • HB 152 HD1, which would increase the fee reimbursement schedule to 130% of Medicare resource base to encourage doctors to take workers compensation patients.
  • HB 435 HD1would establish the Office of Talent Management within the Department of Human Resources Development to design and facilitate state initiatives in the areas of talent administration, professional development, performance management, and leadership enterprise. The measure authorizes the talent management administrator to receive from any state agency services, facilities, and the data necessary.

Related to energy self-sufficiency:

  • HB 450 HD1 would require the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) to establish a hydrogen fueling station demonstration project in qualifying counties. The hydrogen will be produced from renewable sources of energy, such as geothermal. This will further develop the capability of Hawaii Island as well as the State to utilize renewable energy for ground transportation in addition to generating electricity.

Related to agricultural sustainability:

  • HB 749 would establish the Hawaii Agriculture Workforce Advisory Board, which would help support the local agricultural industry by securing the employment pipeline from school to farm. This would be achieved through support of school gardening programs, the Future Farmers’ of America, and Agriculture teacher in service training.
  • HB 414 HD2 would establish a Waipio Valley Commission to advise the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) on the development of a long term plan to ensure the proper stewardship and maintenance of Waipio Valley. The bill also appropriates funds to implement a stream maintenance program recommended by the Mauna Kea Soil and Water Conservation Service.

Related to economic independence:

  • HB 750 HD2 seeks to create the Hawaii Island Technology Exchange Institute. To be successful in the twenty-first century global economy, Hawaii must position itself as a leader in science and technology, in particular, technology development, transfer, and commercialization. HB750 will establish the Hawaii Island Technology Exchange Institute at the University of Hawaii at Hilo through a collaboration between UH Hilo and Hawaii Community College.
  • HB 417 HD2 seeks to address the shortage of primary care providers and improve access to healthcare in general by appropriating funds for the interdisciplinary Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Primary Care Training Program at Hilo Medical Center by funding the medical residency program and allied medical support services training.

A final, but very significant measure, HCR 42, was passed by both the House and the Senate.

  • HCR 42 requesting the Department of Transportation to designate, when appropriate, Route 200 on the Island of Hawaii as the Daniel K. Inouye Legacy Highway. In honor of the decades of dedicated service, sacrifice and leadership demonstrated by Senator Daniel K. Inouye, we propose naming Route 200, or Saddle Road, on Hawaii Island in the Senator’s name. The resolution passed and is now awaiting action by the Senate.

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House Finance Committee Adopts Conservative Approach to Budget

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Damon

Restructuring and Reprioritizing of Funds Trump Full Restoration to Pre-Recession Numbers

The House Finance Committee led by Representative Sylvia Luke (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa), today passed out the proposed state budget which is scheduled for a vote next week by the full House.

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HB200 HD1 appropriates funds for operating and capital improvement costs of the Executive Branch for the current biennium fiscal years FY2013-2014 and FY2014-2015.

For FY2013-2014, the bill offers $5.9 billion in general funds and $11.6 billion in all other means of financing.  For FY2014-2015, it appropriates $6.1 billion in general funds and $11.7 billion in all additional financing means.

Finance Chair Luke acknowledged that the fiscal outlook is a little more positive than it has been in the past but she said, “because we have a fiscal climate that is looking up in terms of revenue, this is actually the time to take a conservative approach to our budget picture.  I realize that in the last four years we have had to cut funding to our programs and agencies because of the State’s financial crisis, but simply restoring the cuts to pre recession numbers is not the approach we are taking.”

“We need to re-evaluate what government is here for, what do we need, what can we do without.  The House is taking on the challenge to develop a budget that gives us the opportunity to provide structural stability to the State’s financial plan.  We want to increase transparency, efficiency and accountability in government.  We want to reprioritize and restructure government services and create an evolving, sustainable and robust economy for future generations,” said Luke.

“I believe expectations for complete funding restoration plus additional funds for more projects are high, as exhibited in the Executive’s budget request to us.  However, indicators from various economic forecasts show an unsteady trend in revenue.  For example, while the Council on Revenues (COR) projected increases based on a robust tourism industry and expansion in the rest of the economy, it remained uncertain about the impact on tax collections due to the renewable energy credit and changes in the tax laws.  Meanwhile, the University of  Hawaii Research Organization (UHERO) reported last month that despite the banner year for tourism, economic growth will ease over the next two years.  We are also facing the unknown ramifications of the federal government’s sequestration,” concluded Luke.

Funding highlights include;

  • $7.9 million in FY2013-2014 for a reasonable rollout of the State’s Information Management and Technology Transformation Plan. The Office of Information Management and Technology (OIMT) plan is to consolidate the State’s existing information-technology infrastructure, enhance security and privacy, and develop shared services functions across state departments.
  • $3 million has been provided to Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) for risk management to ensure adequate insurance coverage for natural disasters.
  • Restored services and positions cut by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) by funding positions that support our local food sustainability and agricultural health. This includes 19 critical specialist and inspector positions to help control the spread of invasive species, 5 engineers for irrigation systems, and additional personnel that provide specialized testing for livestock.
  • Additional support for law enforcement agencies through funding for data systems such as the Juvenile Justice Information system (JJIS), Automated Fingerprint Recognition System (AFIS), and Facial Recognition System (FRS).
  • $1.1 million for the State Library System to purchase additional books and e-books.
  • A total of almost $2 million to support for the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative to meet the State’s goal of using 70% clean energy by the year 2030.
  • To address the issues that encompass the State’s growing Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) unfunded liability, $205.5 million over the next two years has been infused into Other Post Employment Benefits (OPED).
  • $306,461 in additional support for the Mortgage Foreclosure Dispute Resolution Program to reflect the increase in mortgage fraud and other disputes between lenders and owners.
  • $650,000 to update and address issues with the State’s tsunami warning siren system.
  • Support for our local students by providing to the Department of Education (DOE) an additional $12.9 million for the Weighted Student Formula and $1 million for the development of a Common Core assessment test in the Hawaiian language to serve students enrolled at 14 Hawaiian immersion schools across the state.
  • $155.75 million in general obligation bond (GO) appropriations for public school improvements that include health and safety and electrical upgrades.
  • Restored public health service positions within the Department of Health (DOH) including 8 vector control workers and $443,520 of funds to increase surveillance at our airports, 8 food safety inspectors, and 7 environmental health specialists and engineers to administer programs on environmental protection regulations. $800,000 in general funds for both fiscal years for Hale Makemae and Kula Hospital.
  • $10 million annual funding for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) to carry out its duties of planning and developing Hawaiian Homelands across Hawaii.
  • Significant support for the State’s largest department, the Department of Human Services (DHS), with $98 million to cover increasing Medicare costs, $1.9 million for youth and juvenile services, and 10 personnel to focus on homelessness project management.
  • Provides 9 additional positions to provide security and intake services for inmates returning from out of state facilities and appropriates $8.7 million in additional funding for the Department of Public Safety (PSD) to maintain essential functions.
  • A total of $3.8 million in general funds and $32 million in GO funding to the Department of Taxation (DoTAX) to upgrade its current tax system with the Tax System Modernization Project, a five-year program that will result in the increased efficiency of electronically filed taxes and tax processing.
  • Funding to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for various vehicles and equipment to upkeep our airports and harbors. Most importantly, approval of all special and regular maintenance requests submitted by the Department.
  • Continued support of our higher education systems with $780,000 for distance learning courses, $1 million for operating costs at the West Oahu Campus and $2 million to support the community college system in each fiscal year, and $100 million in GO appropriations for repair and maintenance of our campuses.
  • A Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget of $1,707,274,000 for FY2013-2014 and $912,851,000 for FY2014-2015 in all means of financing to address repair and maintenance backlogs and to develop “shovel ready” projects.

 

 

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Governor Abercrombie Releases $46.39 Million for Capital Improvement Projects Statewide

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Damon

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $46.39 million for various capital improvement projects (CIP) across Hawaii, including investments required to qualify for federal funding toward state projects.

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“Many of these priority projects require matching state funds to access federal dollars, secured before sequestration, to maintain and upgrade our public infrastructure and facilities,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “These CIPs will have the added benefit of stimulating Hawaii’s economy and generating local jobs. Priority has been given to projects that can begin quickly.”

Allotment of funds for the following priority projects, identified by members of the state Legislature, has been approved by the Governor:

Statewide

  • $14,000,000 – Public Facilities and Sites, statewide – Design and construction for various repair and alteration projects to existing State Office Buildings; projects may include roofing, other repairs and improvements.
  • $3,157,000 – Wastewater Treatment Revolving Funds for Pollution Control, statewide – Transfer of general obligation bond funds to the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund to match more than $15 million in federal funds to finance wastewater infrastructure construction projects (such as wastewater systems, storm water, and non-point source projects) across the state to attain and maintain compliance with the federal Clean Water Act
  • $2,715,000 – Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund, statewide – Transfer of general obligation bond funds to the Drinking Water Treatment Revolving Loan Fund to match more than $13 million in federal funds to finance drinking water infrastructure construction projects across the state for public water systems to attain and maintain compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act
  • $1,000,000 – State Parks Energy and Water Efficiency Improvements, statewide – Design and construction of renewable energy sources for state park facilities and replacement of aging energy and water systems with efficient fixtures, systems and facilities
  • $1,000,000 – ADA Public Accessibility at Department of Land and Natural Resources Facilities, statewide – Design and construction to provide public accessibility at several DLNR facilities pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act; projects include the replacement of the accessible lift at Iolani Palace State Monument and an accessible route to the telephone at Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor on Oahu, as well as an accessible parking area in the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor and an accessible loading area at Rainbow Falls State Park on Hawaii Island

Civil Defense

  • $2,343,434 – Lump Sum CIP for Department of Defense (DOD) Facilities, Infrastructure and Devices, statewide – Various DOD CIP projects, such as renovation of Building 621 in Hilo, and renovation of the State Civil Defense Building 303 and road/parking resurfacing of the “Emergency Operations Center” at Fort Ruger on Oahu
  • $1,250,000 – Energy Savings Improvements and Renewable Energy Projects, statewide – Design and construction for various energy savings and renewable energy improvements at Hawaii Army National Guard facilities; projects include investigating the feasibility and design of wind/solar/photovoltaic systems at the department’s armories, installing new energy efficient air conditioning equipment and digital controls at various facilities, and various other energy projects
  • $450,000 – 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Readiness Center, Kalaeloa, Oahu – Design and construction for a Readiness Center at Kalaeloa; this project will provide office space, training rooms, storage, meeting rooms, and other National Guard Bureau required areas (DOD has completed the initial design work using federal funds; total project cost will be $33.9 million, including $33 million in federal funds and $900,000 in state funds)
  • $125,000 – Building 19 restoration, Kalaeloa, Oahu – Equipment and work needed to complete installation of a fire suppression system for Building 19 (Readiness Center) for the Hawaii Army National Guard
  • $50,000 – Minor Military Construction and Renovation at Army Guard Facilities, Oahu – Planning for the renovation of Building 282 at Kalaeloa

Hospitals

  • $1,100,000 – Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, Kauai – Design and construction to address main water pipes that have deteriorated due to age and corrosion from the salt air and have started to leak; the project will consist of removing and replacing all damaged main water piping with PVC and copper piping
  • $700,000 – Lanai Community Hospital, Lanai – Design, construction and equipment to install a photovoltaic system that will generate 40 Kwh of power, which is approximately 50 percent of the daily electricity needs for the hospital (Energy savings is expected offset the cost of the installation in 7 years)
  • $590,000 – Leahi Hospital, Oahu – Repairs to weathered concrete, replacement of caulking, and repainting of the exterior of the Atherton and administration buildings
  • $110,000 – Leahi Hospital, Oahu – Design and construction for the removal of an incinerator stack; current equipment is no longer in use and has begun to deteriorate

Housing

  • $7,000,000 – Kalihi Valley Homes, Oahu – Work to complete Phase IV site and dwelling improvements; the HPHA recently completed the full remodeling of 23 of the 42 residential buildings
  • $1,900,000 – Puahala Homes, Oahu – Work to compete Phase 1B abatement and modernization of Buildings 4, 5 and 6 of the 128-unit complex, including interior renovations of the units
  • $1,800,000 – Kaahumanu Homes, Oahu – Construction for complete site improvements, including spall repair, painting for 19 buildings, interior renovations, security fencing, and roadway and sidewalk improvements
  • $600,000 – Hauiki Homes, Oahu – Completion of construction for site work and roof repairs, including sidewalk and stair repairs of the 46-unit public housing project in Kalihi

Other

  • $5,050,000 – Maui Veterans Cemetery, Maui – Pre-design, design and construction for expansion and improvements to the veterans cemetery
  • $930,000 – Kalaupapa Settlement Improvements, Molokai – Design and construction for closure of landfills and reroofing of the store and administration buildings (two separate projects)
  • $500,000 – Waianae Small Boat Harbor, Oahu – Design and construction of covered vessel storage facilities, utilities and related improvements
  • $20,000 – Kaneohe Public Library, Oahu – Design and construction for replacement of the existing circulation desk and related improvements; the area will accommodate children and be compliant with ADA accessibility guidelines

 

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