Council: Harris’
‘vision’ plan
blindsides

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin

Mayor Jeremy Harris' community-based vision program could be permanently blinded by the City Council.

Council members yesterday criticized Harris' plan to allocate $38 million for the vision projects, saying the plan is poorly conceived and organized and would likely complicate traditional planning.

Last fall, Harris invited residents to participate in grass-roots planning, to have a voice in determining the Oahu of tomorrow.

He later promised each of 19 community groups $2 million annually to turn their visions into reality such as bikeways or elderly health facilities.

But Council Chairman Mufi Hannemann ripped administration officials for failing to tell vision group members that the projects needed Council approval.

"It seems to me like you want to build public pressure and put a gun to our heads," he said.

Hannemann also criticized the administration for failing to come up with a list of the specific projects the $38 million is to fund.

Administration officials came up with the list last night.

Hannemann and Council Budget Chairman John Henry Felix said they had been asking for the details since March 2, the day Harris gave his budget to the Council.

The Star-Bulletin had asked repeatedly for the list since Jan. 23, the day the visioning concluded.

Hannemann wasn't the only Council member fuming.

Felix said: "If I were to submit financials like this to my constituents, I would be recalled."

Budget Director Malcolm Tom said delays in submitting the list were caused by numerous factors.

City officials had to work with the groups to determine which ones were viable and then come up with cost estimates, Tom said. "We had to go back and modify a lot of projects."

Council members also said standard planning was being bypassed, changing rules and priorities that have existed for years.

"What it did was circumvent a lot of projects that Council members had initiated," Councilman Andy Mirikitani said.

A list of prioritized projects, done through working with neighborhood boards, other community members and the administration over the years, was being thrown out the window, he said.

Councilwoman Donna Mercado Kim said critically of the administration: "Instead of admitting they messed up, they come up with these lame excuses."