Hurricane-relief veto angers Republicans

By Shayna Coleon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Republican legislators yesterday expressed their disappointment over Gov. Ben Cayetano's veto of a $2 million program that would have helped homeowners pay the cost of making their houses more hurricane-resistant.

"The veto came as a surprise because the governor and the lieutenant governor have been urging people to prepare for hurricanes by advocating hurricane-proof for your house," said Rep. Joe Gomes, R-51st (Lanikai, Waimanalo). "And what do they do? They cut the one part of the program that would actually help homeowners do that."

The Loss Mitigation Fund would have reimbursed 50 percent of the cost of installing wind-resistant devices, to a maximum of $2,100 per home.

On Friday, Cayetano announced the line-item veto of Senate Bill 706 that would have set aside money for the program.

Cayetano said he vetoed the program because the grants would only be available in the first year to former policy holders of the Hawai'i Hurricane Relief Fund.

Cayetano said only a small number of property owners would benefit from the program.

House Minority Floor Leader Charles Djou, R-47th (Kahalu'u, Kane'ohe) said Cayetano made a mistake by vetoing the program because some homeowners are now thinking about filing a law suit against the state.

"If you ask any homeowner which fund they would like to be saved, they are going to tell you they would like to see the integrity of the Hurricane Relief Fund be preserved," Djou said. "Even a very small amount of money for the fund would help prepare us for the next hurricane."

Reach Shayna Coleon at scoleon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8004.