Senator J. Kalani English
Chair, Energy and Environment Committee
State Capitol, Room 205
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 587-7225
Contact : Chris Martelles

PRESS RELEASE
April 20, 2004

Essential Services for Rural Residents Nurtured By Funds

Hana District to Receive Long-Needed Improvements for Education, Health and Transportation

With the budget process concluded between the Senate and House, rural residents stand to benefit from an increase in services and funds to their communities should the Governor sign-off on the budget now before her. The remote rural district of Hana, in East Maui, has a long backlog of needed improvements, and this year important projects for education, health, transportation, and conservation received generous amounts of funding under budget bills HB 1800 HD1, SB1, CD1 and HB 2796 HD1, SB2, CD1. "In our island state, it is often difficult to provide adequate funding for remote areas," said Senator J Kalani English, 6th District, (Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i & Kaho'olawe). "One of my duties is making sure that expansive rural areas get the funding they need and deserve." In November of 2003 Senator English brought members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee to Hana to help them learn about the needs of his district first hand (see related press release at: http://kalanienglish.com/pressrelease_031031.html).

No major capitol improvement projects have occurred in Hana since the late 1970's when the Hana High and Elementary School was first built. Now, nearly a quarter of a century later, there is $2 million in the budget for a desperately needed six classroom building at Hana High and Elementary School, as well as $500,000 in combined State and Federal funds for behavioral health services at the school.

Frank Wicks, Principal of Hana High and Elementary School said, "Rural communities face unique challenges because of their remote locations, and are sometimes unable to take advantage of opportunities common to other areas in the state. This educational facility creates more opportunity for students and provides them with a place of learning they are proud of, while motivating teachers, and helping to promote culture and awareness."

In addition to funding for educational services, Hana will see a boost in health care services under the proposed budget. Hana has some of the highest per capita levels of health problems in the state, and nutritional concerns have plagued the community for many years. To address this need, $250,000 has been allocated for the construction of a Nutritional Training Center at the Hana Community Health Center (HCHC), as well as $750,000 to cover growing operational expenses. Harry Hasegawa of the Board of Directors for HCHC commented, '"It was a good thing to have Kalani there to get this needed funding. We want to thank Kalani and the other members of Maui's delegation for the $750,000 appropriation to help cover Hana Community Health Center's operating costs and meet the health care needs of the community. Development of the new nutritional training center still depends on securing additional funding. This facility will be the first to be completed as part of our ambitious plan to develop HCHC's Health and Wellness Village, a comprehensive project for the promotion of healthy lifestyles and disease prevention." With the nearest hospital over two hours away in Wailuku, the HCHC serves the immediate medical needs of residents in the greater East-Maui area.

Senator English noted, "After we've provided basic essential services for health and education, the next priority is adequate transportation, which provides access to the full range of public services." As a vital supply and transportation link for the rural community, the Hana small boat harbor is receiving needed funding under the budget bill. $1.35 million has been allocated for improvements that will ensure adequate services and maintenance of the facilities.

In addition to the development of essential services, conservation issues in Hana have received attention under the budget, with $300,000 allocated to acquire 70 acres of land at Mu'ole'a Point. Manny Arriaga of the Ho'onipa'a No Hana Foundation, a foundation dedicated to the preservation of Hana's Hawaiian culture and its sacred sites said, "I'm thankful for Kalani's help in raising State support for the acquisition of this important piece of land at Mu'ole'a Point. The native Hawaiian people will benefit from the conservation of this culturally rich place, and it will serve as a continuing piece of their heritage and identity. I look forward to working with the State in the future, and am positive that the small price paid for this land will translate into huge social, economic and cultural gains for all of Hawai'i."

The large increases in tourism related activities in Hana have placed a burden on the community and altered its needs from those in the past. Senator English noted, "Hana is a special community which reflects the historic and spiritual connection of our people to the land. It has faced increasing pressure over the years by becoming one of the top visitor destinations in Hawai'i, and is struggling to maintain its unique traditional identity, which is the reason tourists flock to this rural area. By addressing long standing needs for Hana, the entire community of Hawai'i will benefit."

Bills transmitted from the Legislature to the Governor before April 19, 2004 are under a constitutional limit of ten working days in which they must be signed, vetoed, or allowed to become law. The budget bill was enrolled to the Governor for signature on April 16, 2004 and she has until April 30, 2004 to take action. All bills transmitted to the Governor from this day forward have 45 days from the last day of the Legislature to be acted upon. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on May 6, 2004.

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