Disparity found in
senator’s air travel

Maui Sen. English got coupons
that were not used as intended

State Sen. J. Kalani English accepted state-funded air coupons for two interisland trips but then flew for free on Hawaii Air Ambulance flights.

English, a Maui Democrat, didn't reimburse the state Senate, which paid for the flight coupons in 2002, nor did he report the free flights on state ethics gift disclosure forms.

English also took at least two other trips on Hawaii Air Ambulance planes in 2002, according to Andrew Kluger, CEO of Hawaii Air Ambulance.

"It is our policy not to fly people unless they had requested it," Kluger said. "And I was unaware of the Senate's flight coupons."

English said earlier this week he didn't know what happened with the flight coupons.

"You can look at my records, but to tell you the truth, I don't know. I fly extensively," English said.

He was never on a "special flight," he said. "If the flight happens to be there, if they brought a patient and they are flying back. I never made any special flights."

He said he didn't report the flights because he considered them similar to "hitchhiking or getting a lift home."

Senate President Robert Bunda said his policy is to permit the state Senate to pay for one round-trip a week for neighbor island senators during the legislative session.

No prior approval is needed for the travel, but a travel authorization form must be submitted to the Senate accounting office.

"Any additional travel, as well as travel by other senators, must be for official legislative business purposes and prior approval shall be required," Bunda said in a memo to senators in December 2002. "Meetings with staff or constituent groups do not fall in this category."

Bunda said he had no plans to investigate English's travels.

English, who represents the only Senate district spanning three islands -- Maui, Lanai and Molokai -- was allowed to make one extra round-trip each quarter to Lanai and Molokai without prior approval.

Two former Hawaii Air Ambulance pilots said they had flown English back to Maui and also on to Hana, where English lives.

Cary Mendes, who is on leave and had campaigned for one of English's GOP opponents in the 2004 election, said he took English on a special flight from Kahului to Hana.

"I flew him back to Kahului from Honolulu, and then he said he was going on to Hana," Mendes said. "But I thought he was just riding back with us, but he made a special trip to Hana.

"If I had known that I was taking him to Hana, I would have flown directly from Honolulu to Hana," he said.

Mendes said he didn't keep records of the free flight, but another pilot, Jim Tang, kept his own records for his Hawaii Air Ambulance flights. Tang said English was on his plane on Feb. 1, 2002. He also flew English on Feb. 15, March 27 and Nov. 8, all in 2002.

According to state Senate records, English was given flight coupons to be used to travel to Maui on Feb. 1 and back to Honolulu on Feb. 3, 2002. He was also given coupons to fly to Maui on Feb. 15.

Bunda said he didn't know about English getting both coupons and free flights for the same trip.

"The coupons are a set amount and they can travel within that amount," Bunda said.

But senators are not supposed to stash coupons away. "You have got to do the travel within that month," Bunda said.

Senate records show that other senators, including Maui Sen. Roz Baker (D, Honokohau-Makena), Waianae Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makua), Big Island Sen. Lorraine Inouye (D, Hilo-Honokaa) and Big Island Sen. Russell Kokubun (D, Hilo-Naalehu) all returned unused flight coupons.

In 2002, when English flew on Hawaii Air Ambulance, the Legislature was considering changes in air ambulance regulations.

But English said the free flights did not enter in his support for Hawaii Air Ambulance.

"I am doing my job," he said. "My job is to make sure the residents in my district are properly served. If the air ambulance didn't exist and someone died because it didn't exist, then someone would come back to me asking, 'How come you didn't do something?'"

According to Campaign Spending Commission reports, Hawaii Air Ambulance gave English $3,992.12 in floral arrangements and accommodations for a reception held in 2002.

English, who is chairman of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee, is a former Maui County councilman.