I attended the groundbreaking for the first phase of the Ane Keohokalole Highway today. There were between fifty to sixty people still there when I arrived at 4pm. I met HDOT director Brennon Morioka for the first time and spoke with Hawaii County DPW director Warren Lee about the construction schedule for this project.
Nan Inc/CTS Earthmoving Inc will start work on the southern portion of the Ane Keohokalole Highway and reconstruct/widen Palani Road (between Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Henry Street) first. The northern portion of this new roadway will commence during later stages of this two year project.
I learned when the resurfacing of Mamalahoa Highway between Kaupulehu and Palani Junction will start. The Kaupulehu to Makalei phase is tentatively scheduled to be put out to bid by June 2010 (actual resurfacing will start about six months after bid opening). The Makalei to Palani Junction phase will be put out to bid in FY2011.
There will be severe cuts to the county budget if the legislature withholds most or all the counties’ share of the transient accommodation tax. For example, the council currently has the luxury of possibly restoring funding to the Hawaii County Band. This luxury disappears if Hawaii County loses its share of the TAT.
On a related note, one individual didn’t believe me when I told her Rep. Coffman is opposed to Hawaii County funding the county band. I hope this e-mail from Rep. Coffman puts to rest any question about his position on this matter.
“Hello Aaron:
I can take the heat; a band is not a core government service that I can support.
Everything regarding the budget is still a work-in-process. At this point in time, revenue to balanced the state’s budget is coming from other sources than a GET increase. This is the House position and it appears to be the Senate position at least from the money committees.
Aloha,
Denny”
Lastly, it would be a travesty if Malia Zimmerman or Sen. Sam Slom were to purchase the Honolulu Star Bulletin. They would likely turn the Star Bulletin solely into a sounding board for right-wing conservatives. That would not be good for the State of Hawaii at all.
