City Council Parks Chairman Jon Yoshimura is calling for an audit of the city's Brunch in the Park and Sunset on the Beach programs to "clear the cloud" cast by colleagues over the costs of the popular programs initiated by Mayor Jeremy Harris. Yoshimura urges audit
for popular city eventsHe also advocates an independent
auditor for the cityBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.com"I think it's very important that the administration take seriously the Council's questioning of the Brunch on the Beach, Sunset on the Beach and Rediscover Oahu programs," Yoshimura said.
He noted, however, that he and Council members have been impressed by the administration's ability to put together programs that have stimulated business activity in Waikiki and elsewhere.
Some Council members criticized the programs during budget hearings this past spring, particularly when Harris officials were able to produce only spotty financial information.
In the end, the Council agreed to allot $300,000 each to the newly renamed Brunch in the Park and Sunset on the Beach, as well as allow the related Rediscover Oahu program to continue through a generic account in the economic development budget.
The administration, in response to a strict proviso issued by the Council, reduced the number of Sunset programs to one weekend a month and changed the venue for the Brunch program from Kalakaua Avenue to Kapiolani Park.
It also has persuaded private companies to pick up the tab for additional Sunset programs. For instance, Aston Hotels & Resorts is sponsoring activities this weekend.
Members of the Council's Parks Committee were further frustrated yesterday when only Parks Director Bill Balfour showed up at an information hearing to discuss the issue. Balfour said he could not provide a full accounting of the cost of the events.
Yoshimura suggested that perhaps the administration truly did not have a handle of all costs.
"There are so many moving parts -- so many departments are involved, everybody's putting resources into this program. There is no easy way for us to know how much it's costing taxpayers."
Yoshimura said the programs are ripe for an audit and the issues underscore the need for an independent city auditor's office. The Council approved a City Charter amendment, introduced by Yoshimura, establishing such a program, but Harris has not said if he will sign it.
City spokeswoman Carol Costa said the administration does not believe there is a need for an audit, noting that the administration was working hard to produce the numbers yesterday afternoon.
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