Panel defers resolution on zoo changes

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Zoo employees and others spoke against a resolution yesterday that would encourage the city to pursue a partnership with the Honolulu Zoo Society for management of the zoo.

Although they said they do not oppose the concept of a public-private partnership, several raised concerns about the society's fiscal problems.

Zookeeper Linda Vanatta, who submitted a petition signed by 35 of 42 zookeepers, was overcome with emotion as she testified against the resolution before the City Council's committee on parks and economic development.

"We do not oppose the possibility of a private/public partnership in the future. However, we believe that the present Honolulu Zoo Society lacks the ability to properly manage the facility," Vanatta said. "We hope that if the city does enter into a private/public partnership, it will be with an organization that has a proven track record in successful zoo management."

The committee deferred the resolution pending a specific proposal from the administration.

Mayor Jeremy Harris said the city would look into privatizing the zoo during his State of the City address last month, but the administration plan is in an early stage.

The committee also discussed the fate of Rusti, the orangutan who has been a visitor at the zoo for more than five years and who will be moving to Kualoa Ranch after one of two enclosures for him is completed and state permits are issue for the move.

Zoo director Ken Redman said he expects Rusti's night enclosure to be completed in a couple of weeks, and the animal will live there while a more complete $500,000 enclosure is built.

The committee also passed a resolution that would put a two-year moratorium on new publicly financed swimming pools, except for those that are already in the planning and design phase or are for neighborhoods that have been waiting for a pool for decades.