In a new spin on an old request, Mayor Mufi Hannemann yesterday emphasized the cost of protecting dignitaries as yet another reason why the state should return revenue collected from paid traffic citations.

Traditionally the state has declined the request, and efforts to get reimbursed for the work of issuing the citations fail.

It cost Honolulu $200,000 to provide police security for President-elect Barack Obama during his 12-day holiday in Kailua. That sum does not include services from the Fire Department and Emergency Services Department during Obama's visit.

"It's a blessed opportunity to have him come here. I'd like him to come five times a year, but it is a cost we have to pick up," said Hannemann, testifying before the state Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the state House Finance Committee in the Capitol auditorium. "We never budget it because we've never had an opportunity like this."

Details on the spending for Obama's visit came as Hannemann joined the other Hawai'i mayors in warming up their pitch for economic stimulus at the state Capitol, detailing a list of needs for legislators ahead of a trip to Washington, D.C., this weekend.

In addition to Obama's regular visits, Honolulu should prepare for visits by Secretary of State-designee Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, Hannemann said. He noted that the Clintons are fond of the Islands and that Mrs. Clinton's travel schedule could bring her here.

Honolulu Police Chief Boisse P. Correa said when he meets with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., next month, he will ask whether rules guiding the use of federal law enforcement funds can be amended to include use for dignitary protection.

"We're very happy to have a president-elect (from Honolulu) but when the president-elect came through it cost us a lot of money," Correa said. "That's something all jurisdictions have to deal with."

CAPITOL BRIEFING

Hannemann, Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares, Hawai'i County Mayor William P. Kenoi, and Kaua'i County Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. detailed how the recession has hit municipal coffers and left them each scrambling to cut costs and create new revenue streams.

The Hawai'i mayors head to Washington on Friday to meet with Hawai'i's congressional delegation and make an economic stimulus presentation to U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, the incoming chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Hannemann said the Hawai'i mayors would be discussing "shovel ready" projects with Inouye and other lawmakers.

Through the MainStreet Economic Stimulus Package, Honolulu seeks 48 projects costing $511 million and creating about 3,522 jobs.

The list includes projects primarily for water system improvements and street and sidewalk repairs, and for new buses.

Hawai'i County, Kenoi said, needs $4 million to expand transit, $600,000 to fund a Safe Haven After School program and $12 million for North Kona Water System Improvements.

Maui County's Tavares said property tax revenues could be down 15 percent but the county still needs money for healthcare, infrastructure and conservation initiatives. She said she will not make any "direct requests" for funding.

Kaua'i had two major requests for state funding — for the Wailua Emergency Bypass Road and the Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant.