Budget freeze would
chill Lanai arts centerPrograms statewide will have
difficulties due to planned cuts
The Lanai Arts and Cultural Center would be "about dead in the water" if the state cuts its $8,512 grant by 37 percent as part of a budget freeze, says Phyllis McOmber, the center board's president.
The only creative arts agency on Lanai would wind up with $5,340, and its Maui County grants have been cut as well.
McOmber said, "This is the leanest time that we've had."
Gov. Linda Lingle is sticking with the budget restrictions she ordered last month despite higher-than-expected tax revenues.
That means organizations that rely on state grants to support their visual and performance arts programs still face drastic cuts.
Lingle ordered her budget director to withhold $500,000 from the State Foundation on Culture and Arts biennium grants program budget.
That leaves just less than $700,000 to be distributed to the 114 organizations that were promised more than $1.1 million by the foundation.
"We go across the board," said Ronald Yamakawa, foundation executive director. "Everybody gets less."
Each organization is facing a reduction of slightly more than 37 percent.
"It's happened before but not this drastic," Yamakawa said.
Those organizations whose grants will drop below $1,000 will receive $1,000, he said.
The foundation awarded Moanalua Gardens Foundation $4,880 for this weekend's Prince Lot Hula Festival.
The budget reduction drops the grant amount to $3,062.
Executive Director Marilyn Schoenke said the reduced grant will not affect the festival, which costs $85,000 to put on.
"We'll just reduce the amount of honorariums," she said.
Hawaii Opera Theatre was expecting $22,200 to support its educational program and $38,406 in general support. The reduction drops those amounts to $13,925 and $24,089, respectively.
"Our budget is about $3 million each year, so that's less than 1 percent," said Henry Akina, HOT general and artistic director. "It's not going to kill us, but it's going to make our work that much harder."
The foundation is preparing letters to find out whether organizations will be able to carry out their programs with the smaller grants. If they are not able to accept the grant, the money can be redistributed.
Lingle met with representatives of affected organizations earlier this month and promised them she will try to find federal money to make up the difference.
Yamakawa said the administration is hoping to use federal social services money to fund arts educational programs for youth.
The money promised to organizations whose programs qualify for federal funding can be redirected to other programs, said Georgina Kawamura, state budget and finance director.