Lawmakers may be setting out a few pots and pans when the winter rains come.
The state spent an estimated $15,000 on repairs to two lawmakers’ offices after water leaked in during the November rains.
The State Capitol’s roof was resurfaced five years ago at a cost estimated at $250,000 to $300,000, but the two-year warranty on the job expired in 1997, according to an official with the state Department of Accounting and General Services.
State comptroller Raymond Sato said the two-year warranty seems to be an industry standard for that type of work, and he has been told contractors won’t make them longer. But the contractor who resurfaced the roof said his company sells longer warranties to customers willing to pay for them.
Scott Ai, regional manager for roofing contractor ALCAL Hawaii, said he believes the bid specifications for the job called for a two-year warranty. He said his company did a good job and demonstrated the roofing surface was watertight before DAGS accepted the work. He said the leaks might be from water seeping in through openings such as window sills, or where the walls meet the roof.
James Richardson, central services division administrator for DAGS, said there was substantial damage to Rep. Bertha Kawakami’s office in Room 434. Her staff said the damage was done Nov. 1 and 2, and repairs were completed last month.
The roof leaked also over the office of former Rep. David Stegmaier, Room 438, but the damage was less severe. Rep. Nobu Yonamine now occupies that office.
