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When Kahoolawe is turned over to the state in 2003 by the federal government, it is estimated that two-thirds of the island's surface will be cleared of unexploded ordnance, according to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission. Kahoolawe
cleanup laggingBy Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.comKeoni Fairbanks, the commission's executive director, told a joint state Senate panel this week that the U.S. Navy estimates 69 percent of the island's surface and less than 10 percent of unexploded ordnance from its subsurface will be cleared by November 2003.
Fairbanks testified that the Navy had agreed in 1994 to clear 100 percent of the surface and 30 percent of the subsurface ordnance. The amount of clearance remaining means the state will face limitations on plans for cultural and environmental restorations, he said.
The commission, a state agency created to oversee the management of the reserve until it can be turned over to a sovereign native Hawaiian government, supports Senate Concurrent Resolution 67, which urges the Navy to continue to clear unexploded ordnance beyond the deadline.
November 2003 marks the end of a congressionally authorized 10-year, $400 million cleanup of the island, which came under federal control in 1953 and was used for military bombing practices until 1990.
"Regardless if the Navy or state leads the clearance operations, it is important that the federal government fulfills its obligations to the state and provides the necessary funding and resources to complete the cleanup of Kahoolawe," Fairbanks said.
In other news this week:
>> Hale O Kiaaina: Gov. Ben Cayetano and first lady Vicky Cayetano kicked off construction this week of a new, $1.2 million private residence on the grounds of Washington Place.
The unnamed new governor's residence will allow the first family to move out of the second floor of the mansion, freeing Washington Place to become a museum showcasing the collection and artwork of Queen Liliuokalani.
>> Traffic cameras: Gov. Cayetano said this week he will speak with Hawaii Chief Justice Ronald Moon about actions of state District Court judges who have ruled on traffic camera citations.
Cayetano is concerned these judges are publicly telling speeders there is a threshold of acceptance over the posted speed limit, which essentially raises the speed limit.
"It's one thing to give a person a break if they're going 10 miles above the speed limit on the freeway at 55 or 65 mph," Cayetano said. "Its another thing to give them a break if they're going through a 25 mph zone."
>> Historic audit: After hearing allegations of mismanagement, House and Senate committees have called for a legislative audit of the state Historic Preservation Division.
But Historic Preservation Administrator Don Hibbard told legislators the agency is a victim of budget cuts that have resulted in lost positions and insufficient funding.
"The department is somewhat concerned about the tone of the resolutions, and we feel some of the statements are a bit overstated," he told senators.
>> Legislative sole: A group of state lawmakers marched barefoot through downtown Honolulu yesterday to mark Good Friday by visiting various social service agencies and praying for Hawaii's needy families.
>> Medically uninsured: One out of 10 people in Hawaii did not have health-care insurance before Sept. 11, a growing problem that has dropped Hawaii's former top ranking as the "health-care state" to 13th place, according to the Hawaii Uninsured Project.
Project officials warned the state Legislature they intend to lobby on the issue.
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