Rusti's new home cost rises
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Rising construction costs for the Honolulu Zoo's long-awaited new home for Rusti threw a monkey wrench into an agreement with the orangutan's owners to finance and build his new outdoorsy living arrangements, sending the debate to the City Council's lap once more.
Honolulu City Council member Barbara Marshall objected yesterday to the city administration's rush to get the Council's final approval on a new agreement with Orangutan Foundation International, which they learned of only hours before the meeting.
But after hearing more from City Enterprise Services Director Sidney Quintal, council members unanimously approved the agreement designed to keep Rusti in Honolulu and speed his way into a much larger habitat. He could have a banyan tree to call his very own by September, and the new agreement even calls for a female companion to move in.
Rusti, owned by the Los Angeles-based OFI, came to Ho-nolulu in 1997 seeking better living conditions after the organization removed him from what they considered an unacceptable habitat at a private New Jersey zoo.
Yesterday, the city revised its proposed contract with OFI, agreeing to take over the cost of feeding and caring for him.
Earlier, OFI had promised to build the new habitat — 20 times bigger than his current cage — and pay for food and a caretaker. But Quintal informed the council this week that OFI has since ended that agreement and wants to transfer the money it had planned to donate to the non-profit Honolulu Zoological Society.
Marshall expressed concern about OFI's continuing commitment to the plan. "OFI has backed out of the maintenance of Rusti," she said.
Quintal told the council that the cost has crept up to more than $553,000, but he believes the bills will get paid through donations already promised and from other Society funds. He said $100,000 has been transferred to the city from the Vincent Trust donation; another $100,000 has been spent on fencing and architectural work for the project; and OFI has promised to send $200,000 more to the city.
Gary Slovin, of the zoological society, said the new arrangement will allow people here to act for Rusti. "We're better off if we're responsible," he said. He said OFI officials "haven't shown themselves to be reliable."
The 25-year-old orangutan was expected to live in the 600-square-foot-cage at the zoo for only about six months, but various plans to move him to a bigger permanent home fell apart while his popularity grew.
City Council member Charles Djou, whose district includes the Waikiki area, described Rusti as "my most famous constituent." In the end, his decision to support the new agreement came down to: "Do we want Rusti or not?"
Marshall said she remains concerned that the issue will be back before council for more money or other issues. But she said she voted to support the move as the best available solution.
"I feel bad for the animal, and I feel bad for those who care about him," Marshall said.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at 535-2429 or rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
