Gov. Ben Cayetano's dream of a state art museum is bigger than the first two floors of the One Capitol District building. Cayetano envisions state
art museum expansionHe would like to see all 5 floors
of its site filled with artworkBy Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.comThe governor told a conference of art teachers that within five years, he would like to see all five floors of the building across the street from the state Capitol devoted to art.
"The state foundation has a second floor right now. One day, I'd like to see the entire building dedicated to the art of Hawaii, the art of the Pacific, the art of Asia and the art of those across our country," Cayetano said.
A new state art museum is scheduled to open on the first two floors of the building in the fall.
The governor said after he leaves office, he plans to lobby the next governor to devote the whole building to house art collections.
But Cayetano and interim state Foundation on Culture and the Arts director Ron Yamakawa declined to comment on reports that the current state art museum project is over budget.
Yamakawa would only say that the museum is still scheduled to open in October.
In his state of the state address last year, Cayetano estimated turning the first two floors of the building into a state art museum would cost $3.3 million.
In a related matter, the governor said he plans to appoint four new members to the board that oversees the state arts foundation. Two board members, including the former chairwoman, resigned just before a vote to fire former culture and arts foundation executive director David Farmer on Feb. 20. Two other board members had resigned previously.
The board oversees the work of the foundation to administer state arts and culture programs. One percent of the state's construction projects is set aside for the acquisition of art.
Cayetano said he did not know the details of the board's decision to fire Farmer. He said he hoped the controversy would not interfere with the board's mission.
"It's unfortunate. David was put in a very difficult position," Cayetano said.
The governor said it would be up to the board to hire an executive director.
The One Capitol District building was used by the Armed Forces YMCA from 1928 to 1987. Local developer Chris Hemmeter purchased the building in 1987 for $11 million for his corporate headquarters. Thirteen years later, Hemmeter sold the building to BIGI Corp. of Japan for $82 million after he decided to move elsewhere.
In 2000, Cayetano's administration purchased the Hemmeter Building for $22.5 million.
Cayetano talked about his plans for the state art museum during a welcoming speech at the "Governor's Conference On Arts Education 2002" held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village yesterday.