Maui leaders offer praise, await details from governor

The Maui News
Tuesday, January 24, 2006

By VALERIE MONSON, Staff Writer

WAILUKU – While Gov. Linda Lingle called for tax relief and help for public schools and highlighted the need to look for alternative energy sources in her State of the State address on Monday, Maui leaders listened in the State Capitol or watched on television back home.

The verdict?

"It sounds nice, now let’s see where everything is going," said state Rep. Joe Souki, who represents residents of Wailuku, Waikapu and Kahakuloa. "She had something for everybody, maybe not enough for some people. Now, we need to look into the details."

Lingle was praised for finally addressing some of Hawaii’s needs that have been sorely neglected or ignored for years, either because of a lack of money or the political will.

Mayor Alan Arakawa, state Sen. J. Kalani English and Sierra Club Maui Group Chairman Lance Holter were especially pleased to see the emphasis on developing organic energy and increasing the budget of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Arakawa couldn’t say enough good things about Lingle.

"I thought it was one of the more comprehensive speeches I’ve heard the governor give," said the mayor. "There was a lot of meat to it."

English, whose senatorial district includes Upcountry, East Maui, Lanai and Molokai, said that not everything being offered by Lingle was new.

"I’m glad to see the governor pushing a lot of ideas that have been floated by the Legislature and others for years," said English. "She’s introducing more money for repair and maintenance of our schools, but as a goodwill gesture to the people of Hawaii, she should release a lot of the money that has already been appropriated. The problem we’re having is getting those moneys released."

English said lawmakers have appropriated $500 million for school construction or repairs, but the funds have been held up by the administration.

That said, English still complimented Lingle on "one of her better speeches" despite the presence of about 500 protesters outside the Capitol that might not have been visible to home viewers, but were in the governor’s sightline as she spoke. Many of the demonstrators held signs against the selling of public lands, such as property in Kakaako on Oahu to A&B Properties.

"She held up very well under that kind of pressure," said English.

Lingle also received praise for proposing a housing package that includes $10 million to repair existing affordable and transition housing and a stop to raiding housing funds for other uses.

Jim Worley, chairman of Maui Economic Concerns of the Community Inc., which operates Ka Hale A Ke Ola, Hale O Makana and other affordable and transitional housing programs, said Lingle "attempted to address the problem in a progressive and responsible way."

Arakawa said he wanted to know more about money for the realignment of Honoapiilani Highway and the proposal for biofuel crops grown to provide energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The governor’s remarks about energy drew interest from other Maui observers as well.

Mike Gresham, president of Makana Nui Associates, which is building Maui’s first commercial wind farm, was not able to listen to her speech but it reflected an energy plan she had announced earlier.

He said her goals are farseeing.

"It’s not always popular (to take the long view) but we need that kind of planning," Gresham said. "It was fairly courageous of her to take a risk and do that."

Another perspective on Lingle’s energy comments came from Bob King, co-owner of Pacific Biodiesel, who said it was "a little disappointing that she’s chosen to put money into hydrogen, which from a technical point of view is not a source of energy for the islands."

Lingle proposed a small amount that would aid biodiesel, but 50 times as much for hydrogen.

King said that small amount would not directly help his company, which operates a biodiesel refinery using waste cooking oil and Maui and other plants elsewhere.

He said Hawaii should be putting its alternative energy money into research to help agriculture develop oil fuel crops.

"It’s real. It’s here," he said. "Everybody else is doing it. Europe is all over this. Brazil, India are putting large amounts of capital into biodiesel crop work."

He called hydrogen fuel cell alternatives "very speculative. . . . I really do not understand why she is putting money into hydrogen."

Arakawa said he was glad to see funding to improve the small-boat harbors and the governor’s plan on how to spend the $574 million surplus.

"To get more than $1,000 to families with lower incomes – that’s huge," said Arakawa about Lingle’s proposal to grant tax relief to Hawaii’s neediest residents. "That would help a lot of families out right now."

Holter, who also serves as conservation chairman for the Sierra Club’s statewide organization, said the group’s main priority at the Legislature this year will be for "energy security."

He said Maui, in particular, could benefit from biofuel because of the enormous amount of agricultural lands.

"Hopefully, Hawaii can be a beacon to the rest of the nation," said Holter. "We’re trapped in petroleum."

Souki took note of the governor’s inclusion of another $90 million for school facilities, but he wondered how much was for repair and maintenance and how much for construction of new buildings, a crying need on Maui where it’s estimated that the island needs four new public schools to accommodate current development. Like Arakawa, Souki also wanted to take a look at the Honoapiilani proposal.

"I want to make sure it’s not just for one little piece (of the realignment)," he said.

Both English and Souki expected a long night Monday as they planned to begin reading the governor’s bills that weren’t expected to arrive until later in the day.

While no one disputed the strong delivery of the governor’s speech, there was a difference in opinion about the reception of her words.

English said that the "clapper" – a person or persons designated to start off a burst of applause – seemed to be "a half a beat behind," resulting in few ovations. But Arakawa said from his vantage point, it was Democratic lawmakers who were slow to respond.

"There was a lot of enthusiasm in the crowd," said Arakawa. "It seemed to be that the Democrats had made a pact not to clap. It was like they were sitting on their hands."

Staff Writer Harry Eagar contributed to this report.

Valerie Monson can be reached at vmonson @ mauinews.com.

Copyright © 2005 The Maui News.

Original article URL: http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=16295

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