Next City Council says it may have to raise taxes
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
When the next City Council takes office Jan. 2, it will face "the worst fiscal problems we've ever faced" and raising taxes may be necessary, according to Gary Okino, who will be chairman when the new council convenes.
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Incumbents Ann Kobayashi and Romy Cachola will be vice chairwoman and floor leader, respectively.
Current City Council chairman John DeSoto, top, waits during a press conference convened during a council session recess by the newly elected council to announce new leadership. In the foreground are Mike Gabbard, left, and Rod Tam.
While many of the council members-elect said during their campaigns they would not raise taxes, Okino informed the new members that with a projected $159 million budget deficit, it may be inevitable, because other solutions, such as increasing efficiency could take years. He said the council would also look at raising user fees.
"I think we have to look at the whole gamut of things we can do (including) cutting services," he said.
He noted that two months after they take office, the new council will have to begin the budget approval process.
"In a way, it's kind of unfair to put you in that position," he told the incoming members, as they assembled to announce the new leadership posts yesterday.
The City Council committee chairpeople will be:
Okino said that from the outset, the freshmen council members will also have to deal with sewer system problems, a massive refuse disposal problem, growing traffic problems and road and infrastructure repairs.
Council committees
"The city has been cut to the bone, yet we're required to provide more services," he said.
Also yesterday, the current council members dealt with a number of issues at a meeting that stretched into the early evening.
The council unanimously approved the plans and permit for Outrigger Enterprise's $300 million project that will revitalize nearly eight acres of Waikiki, with plans to raze six buildings and replace them with a new hotel, entertainment complex, retail shops and promenade.
More than 20 people testified in support of the Outrigger project, with just a handful raising objections to the requirement that the hotel build a promenade on the beach, with George Dowling of Save Our Surf suggesting that erecting a permanent structure on the beach may be illegal.
The members, however, by a 5-4 vote, deferred a bill that would have essentially banned roosters from residential areas, instead encouraging rooster owners and groups opposed to the ban to work on ways to settle noise complaints.
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The members also deferred a bill that would grant Ko Olina Resort a zoning change so a school and fire station can be built on resort property, after already holding a zoning change request for a strip mall in committee.
Council member Gary Okino, right, chats with council members new and familiar after the announcement that Okino will be chairman of the new council. From left: Nestor Garcia, Barbara Marshall, Romy Cachola and Ann Kobayashi.
Zoning chairman Duke Bainum said he wants the projects to go forward, but that the council should not approve any zoning changes until the resort upholds an agreement to turn over easements for public access, although it does allow restricted access under an agreement approved by community members.
Public access to Hawai'i beaches is mandated by the state constitution.
On another issue, condemnation proceedings for leasehold conversions drew testimony from more than 50 people, primarily those opposed to mandatory leasehold conversion.
While several council members voiced concerns, the resolutions were passed for final vote at the Dec. 4 meeting.
Several Kamehameha Schools officials testified in opposition to the condemnation of Bishop Estate's Kahala Beach property because the revenue helps support the schools program. The council, however, ultimately approved the condemnation after a motion to defer it failed 5-4.
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Hamilton McCubbin, chief executive officer for Kamehameha Schools, asked the council members to consider public purpose in deciding whether to condemn the property for the benefit of 31 lessees.
Councilman Gary Okino announces that he will be chairman of the new City Council.
"I would advocate that the public purpose served by Kamehameha Schools to meet the educational needs of thousands of Native Hawaiian children takes higher precedence than the purported 'public good' served by allowing 31 individuals to obtain their land in fee."
The First United Methodist Church also fought against condemnation of the Admiral Thomas Apartments, fearing that it would jeopardize the future of the church if it loses control of the land.
The Rev. Bob Morley said he did not know what the church would want in the next few decades, but "I do know it will need all the space and assets that it possibly can."
A bill that would require drivers to use hands-free technology when using cellular phones remained on the floor yesterday on a 4-4 vote following a public hearing in which only Verizon Wireless submitted testimony.
Verizon opposed the bill on grounds that it should be handled at the state level instead of each county having different laws.
