Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Why are Gov. Ben Cayetano's adult children still living -- rent free, food free, laundry free -- in Washington Place? Washington Place is home
of governor and his familyAnswer: Because Washington Place, the former home of Queen Liliuokalani, is considered the personal residence of Hawaii's governor, said Jackie Kido, the governor's director of communications.
"The governor's adult, unmarried children are part of the first family and live with him at Washington Place. This is not unusual," Kido said. "The unmarried, adult children of other governors have lived there as well."
Cayetano has three children from his first marriage. Two are not married. First lady Vicky Cayetano has two teen-age children from her first marriage, who also live at Washington Place.
In the 1995 fiscal year, the appropriation for Washington Place was $287,069, of which $230,542 was spent; in fiscal year 1999, it is $218,000, Kido said. This doesn't include the $52,000 salary of Jim Bartels, who is heading the restoration of the 150-year-old residence as director of Washington Place.
Asked what expenses are picked up by Governor Cayetano, Kido said the first lady decided to assume the costs for toiletries and other items "traditionally picked up. She does all the hand-washing, all the dry cleaning -- that's all paid for by the first family," Kido said.
In 1993, when John Waihee was governor, the Star-Bulletin also asked about expenses for Washington Place. Back then, it was reported that the budget for fiscal year 1991-92 was $295,341, but that actual expenditures totaled $229,536.
Waihee's press aide said personal long-distance phone calls made by the governor and his family were paid for by Waihee, as were personal items and services.
When asked about phone calls, Kido said personal calls were not separated from the phone bills because of an "insignificant amount of calls," totaling less than $15 a month.
Q: Why is the best parking lot at Sand Island Beach Park -- the one facing the surf break -- closed during the week? My husband goes there to surf and he has to carry his board or kayak a long way. Lots of locals go there, not just on weekends.
A: That lot has been closed for years, basically because it's meant to be used by campers and the campground is not open Monday evening to Friday morning.
"This is one way to conserve resources," said state parks Administrator Ralston Nagata.
Although the park is heavily used on weekends and sometimes on weekdays during the summer, not many people go there most weekdays, he said.
He also said Sand Island was one of the hardest hit by budget cutbacks in recent years, with close to a 50 percent cut in staffing there. In fact, camping at Sand Island "is restricted a little more than other parks," he said, because of the staffing shortage.
Most other state parks are open to campers Friday to Wednesday.
Auwe
To the woman in a gold Mercedes who parked in the handicap stall at Costco Salt Lake on Memorial Day. You ran into Costco and hand-carried your purchases out, yet you took away the last stall available to a gentleman in a wheelchair. How you can consciously do this is beyond me. Your placard should be revoked. -- L.L.
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