Elimination Of Congressional Earmarks May Jeopardize The Completion of The Saddle Road Improvement Project

I recently submitted this letter to the editor to the Honolulu Star Advertiser, West Hawaii Today, and the Hawaii Tribune-Herald

“The anti-earmark fervor in Congress jeopardizes a lot of important Hawaii projects. For example, Senator Inouye has secured 150 million dollars to reconstruct/re-align Saddle Road on the Big Island. The latter is critical cross island link for residents and the military.

Approximately 25 miles of this roadway has been improved using a combination of Defense Access Road and HDOT funding. However, there is about 15 miles of roadway that requires reconstruction and or realignment. The prospects for funding these last two phases has dimmed considerably over the last couple months.

I hope our Congressional delegation is able to secure the additional funding to complete this important roadway improvement project.

Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona”

Steve Ellis, vice president of Washington D.C based Taxpayers For Common Sense, made an infuriating comment regarding earmarks.

The elimination of earmarks will likely jeopardize the completion of the Saddle Road improvement project. I expressed this concern to him via e-mail. Mr. Ellis e-mailed me this response:

“Aloha Mr. Stene,

Thanks for your email. I am quite familiar with Saddle Road, having used it a few times back in the mid-1990s (my close friend was the Executive Officer on the USCGC KISKA which is homeported in Hilo). I know what bad shape the road was in and how it is more efficient travel route between the east and west sides of the Big Island.

That said, I stand by my statement in the article:

“Ellis stressed that Hawaii will still receive billions of federal dollars, particularly to support the U.S. military presence here. The
money just won’t come from earmarks, he said.”

Not having earmarks does not mean money won’t be spent on worthwhile projects. In fact, by reducing the political muscle part of the equation and basing decisions on merit and competition, one could argue money will be spent on worthwhile projects while the wasteful and frivolous go wanting. Certainly finishing an existing project that has been a priority of the military construction account and has significant economic benefit would move it up the list. Furthermore, infrastructure projects such as this are among the worst (along with Defense) programs to earmark. These are areas where we can clearly evaluate projects against one another to fund the most meritorious. In addition, with road projects, there are existing formula systems that allocate funding to the states. Here is something we have written on this subject.

Finally, I would argue that quite possibly the existence of earmarks delayed the completion of this project. In many other casesworthwhile infrastructure projects are nickel and dimed or outright cut to fund more politically important projects.

Thanks again for your email.

Aloha,

Steve”

Hawaii County should seriously explore completing the rest of the Mamalahoa (Hokuli’a) bypass and seek reimbursement from American Motorist Insurance Company later. This would be a win-win for American Motorist and Hawaii County. AMIC would gain financial flexibility by spreading out the reimbursement payments and the county would be able to complete this much needed roadway.

I appreciate Councilman Yagong’s desire to get this roadway completed. However, I don’t agree it is shovel ready. The Coupes still have the option to petition the US Supreme Court and the county hasn’t started condemnation proceedings against the Smiths and the Whitakers.

Lastly, the Lalamilo Connector Road should also be a priority for Hawaii County. This roadway would alleviate traffic congestion at the Lindsey Road intersection and complement the recently opened Parker Ranch Connector Road.