Money reserved to move Pearl City sex offender facility

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

The Legislature has quietly inserted language into the state budget to move the controversial juvenile sex offender treatment facility in Pearl City, but it may not matter very much.

Lawmakers put $25,000 into the state budget to move the residential treatment facility from Pearl City to Kahi Mohala, which was recommended by a private consultant.

The language in the budget said the facility must be moved by June 30, 2002.

The Pearl City facility at Waimano Home treats boys ages 12-17 who have had sexual relations with family members but are not classified as sexual predators or violent sexual predators. Pearl City residents strongly opposed the center, which opened in December.

State Health Department Director Bruce Anderson said yesterday the department already plans to request bids from service providers before the contract with the present provider expires in June of next year.

"We certainly will be looking at making an offer to Kahi (Mohala) and other service providers through the (request for proposal) process," he said. "It's very unusual that the Legislature will be dictating who should be providing services which would normally be provided through the (normal bid) process."

House Health Committee Chairman Dennis Arakaki acknowledged the proviso is not binding and that it is still up to the Department of Health whether to move the facility.

"I guess it's more of a message than anything else," he said.

He said the state could move the program to Kahi Mohala for $25,000 or less and that Kahi Mohala is a better facility for the youths because they would be in a less restrictive environment.

Anderson also emphasized that the present service provider, Benchmark Behavioral Health Systems, is doing a good job.

"We will be giving everyone else a chance again next fall to bid on the contract," he said.

Advertiser Capitol Bureau Chief Kevin Dayton contributed to this report.