Fellows mentioned in this story: Jeff Mikulina

From Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

How the state spends nearly $130 million on initial projects to protect natural resources, mitigate disaster risk and improve visitor experiences under Hawaii’s new “Green Fee” program is facing reshuffling at the Legislature.

Some powerful senators don’t want to fund about $65 million of projects recommended by an advisory council in January and instead have proffered their own list of suggested replacements.

Replacement recommendations include $12 million for a food and product innovation network, $800,000 for the state Department of Education to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, and $350,000 for a sports and signature events study.

Potential eliminations include $10.6 million to support community-­driven reforestation and natural habitat improvement work, $5 million for homeowners to reduce high-wind damage risks and $1 million to cease cesspool use in the nearshore Honaunau community on Hawaii island.

The desired shakeup was put forth by the 13-member Senate Ways and Means Committee within a recently published 706-page list of proposed appropriations for the state budget bill.

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