HIGHWAYS ADMINISTRATOR ALVIN TAKESHITA ADMITS STATE’S SHARE OF FEDERAL HIGHWAY DOLLARS IN JEOPARDY

News Release from Hawaii Republican Party

HONOLULU (August 1, 2014) - At a packed public meeting in Kamuela on Wednesday, Highways Administrator Alvin Takeshita noted that funding for many of Hawaii’s major road projects was in jeopardy as Democrats are expected to lose control of the Senate after the November election. Unless the State elects a Republican to represent its needs and projects, Hawaii’s current all-Democrat delegation will have no seat in the majority caucus where decisions are made.

Takeshita’s remarks were followed by a July 31 West Hawaii Today article which noted that efforts to secure federal grants for a major Big Island project, the widening of Saddle Road, have been unsuccessful to-date.

“Hawaii is already seeing the effects of having one of the most junior Congressional delegations in the nation. We are losing out on our share of federal dollars, and the problem is only expected to compound unless we send a Republican to Washington,” said Pat Saiki, State Chair of the Hawaii Republican Party. “When State officials like Takeshita are publicly expressing concern of our delegation’s ability to lobby on Hawaii’s behalf, both citizens and the construction workforce should be alarmed that many shovel ready projects will be shelved.”

The Highways Administrator spoke in regards to the Kawaihae Bypass, a major need for the area community, being eliminated or shelved as the State had to reallocate resources due to lack of funding.

The Senate Highway Bill is only funded through May 2015, as Republicans are expected to gain the majority in November.

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