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IN AND AROUND THE CAPITOL
Governor, ‘rabid’
By Rosemarie Bernardo
boaters face off over harbor
commercializationStar-Bulletin
Boaters have shown their aggravation after Gov. Ben Cayetano called them "well-heeled, demanding and rabid people" in supporting commercialization of boat harbors. Recreational boater Gary O'Donnell said, "We're not rich people."
Reg White, vice president of operations at Paradise Cruise Ltd., said, "He's just out of touch. He doesn't know anything about boating."
Along with his criticism of Ala Wai boaters, Cayetano attacked Republican Sen. Sam Slom and Rep. Galen Fox, calling them hypocrites yesterday. The governor said it seemed hypocritical for them -- supporters of privatization in general -- to oppose the state when it's attempting to privatize the Ala Wai and Keehi boat harbors.
Privatizing the two harbors would "raise money so that we can fix up the rest of the state system," he said.
"He has made his view of privatization a partisan issue," said Slom (R, Kalama Valley, Aina Haina).
"I'm a strong proponent of privatization as an alternative tool that any government, county or state can explore and can use," said Slom. "But this is a question of being respectful to people in an area where the state wants to take action."
Cayetano said, "I wish they would think about the state for a change."
The governor said he has dealt with the people at the Ala Wai for more than 20 years.
But O'Donnell said the governor never came down to speak to the people at Ala Wai harbor.
"He has always been against boaters," said O'Donnell, who resides on his 28-foot boat, Pau Hana, on the Ala Wai.
"When he said that it's the well-heeled people there, he wasn't there," said Slom about the hearing Friday about commercialization of the two harbors.
More than 50 people opposed House Bill 2571, House Draft 1 allowing commercial-use activities at Ala Wai and Keehi harbors.
At the Friday hearing, surfers said it's the only place in Waikiki where they can hang out and park for free. A canoe paddler said she is certain it will become unsafe if commercial cruise ships, large recreational vessels and fishing charters also were allowed to use the area.
Residents worried about the noise and traffic.
A decision on the bill will be made today by the Senate Economic Development Committee at 4 p.m. in Conference Room 224 at the state Capitol.
Cayetano said, "We will not let the private sector build anything that's going to compromise the safety of the people."
"I'm disappointed," said Fox (R, Waikiki) about Cayetano's attack. "Anyone familiar with the governor's bill to commercialize the Ala Wai harbor realizes that it hurts paddlers, surfers, residents and visitors alike."
Slom said, "I think the governor better get a fix on who the constituents really are."
O'Donnell said the governor is trying to transfer the public's asset into private hands. "Ala Wai makes money for the state," said O'Donnell.
Fox said, "The bill is not based on what's the best way to get revenues."
White, who's been a recreational boater for 65 years, said the governor has been poorly advised and misinformed.
He said the governor would like the Ala Wai harbor to be a world-class marina.
"We really don't want more," said White, who resides on his 67-foot boat, Audacious II, on the Ala Wai harbor. "We're very happy with what we have."
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