Senators fill Windward pork barrel

Sen. Fred Hemmings says he doesn’t believe in pork barrel financing, so he has included only three projects in his capital improvement requests for his Windward district.

Still, between Hemmings and the two other Windward senators, 39 projects worth $20.4 million in capitol improvement projects for the Windward side have been submitted to the Legislature. Of those projects, 33 are for school repairs, upgrades, new buildings and playgrounds, totaling $11,170,001.

Traditionally, most legislators submit their list earmarking projects that their constituents would like to see financed. Hemmings, R-25 (Kailua-Waimanalo), said lawmakers should work together to do what’s best for the entire state and not be swayed by special-interest groups.

"I don’t think pork barrel is healthy," Hemmings said yesterday. "When you spend in one area you usually spend at the expense of another area."

Sen. Bob Nakata, D-23 (Kane‘ohe-La‘ie), said seeking legislative financing can be faster than going directly to state agencies because agencies are sometimes unaware of communities’ needs or move too slowly in providing them.

"Frequently, constituents would be frustrated when they try to go directly to the department to get things done," Nakata said. "This allows for more flexibility. I’m sure there are abuses, but I think for the most part they’re legitimate needs."

Sen. Bob Hogue, R-24 (Kane‘ohe-Maunawili-Enchanted Lake), said he’s fundamentally against pork barrel and that districts that need projects done most should be considered on a fair and objective basis.

Hogue, who has the longest list of the three senators, said he listed the 28 projects because he wanted the Senate Ways and Means Committee to know what the priorities for his district are. All but one of the projects is for schools, and several of the schools have multiple projects.

"I didn’t want to leave anybody out," he said, adding that he didn’t want to choose which school project to submit. "I put every single one on the table, knowing that the Ways and Means Committee will have to sort it out in the end."

Nakata has requested $6 million to realign Kamehameha Highway at Waihe‘e Road and for construction of a contraflow lane on Kahekili Highway from Ha‘iku Road to Hui Iwa Street. He also sought money for a feasibility study to resolve flooding in Kahuku, $500,000; to repair He‘eia State Park visitor center, $150,000; for site improvement for a library at Windward Community College, $300,000; plus money for a bus turnaround and shelter at Waiahole Elementary School, to renovate the library at Ka‘a‘awa Elementary School, and to pay for a maintenance position at Windward Community College.

Hemmings has requested $1 million to build a stadium at Kalaheo High School, $100,000 for a plant nursery project for the Women’s Community Correctional Center, and $30,000 for fencing at Kalaheo.

Hogue’s biggest request was for $4.6 million for athletic facilities improvements, windows and campus upgrades at Kailua High. Among his other requests were:

• $200,000 for electrical upgrades at Enchanted Lake Elementary School
• $1 million for a library/administration building at Kaelepulu Elementary
• $225,000 to reroof and for electrical upgrades at Keolu Elementary
• $295,000 for lights, parking stalls and electrical upgrades at Maunawili Elementary
• $170,000 for playground and electrical upgrades at Puohala Elementary
• $1.15 million for an administration building and parking stalls at Kane‘ohe Elementary
• $1.11 million for floor repairs and electrical upgrades at Castle High
• $250,000 for an electrical transformer at Kapunahala Elementary
• $180,000 for design of sidewalks and playground at Benjamin Parker Elementary
• $1 for design of new school access at Kailua High (listing any dollar amount keeps the project alive)
• and $2.5 million for Kahekili Highway beautification.

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