HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is threatening to veto the city’s $5 billion budget over a $1.4 million cut to the Office of Economic Revitalization.

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“I don’t want it to even be a threat. It’s a a matter of fact, because I am in such strong opposition to this,” Blangiardi said.

The dispute comes after a city audit released in January found after five years, the office met less than 40% of its mission to promote agriculture, technology and small businesses.

Council proposes staff cuts

Budget chair Val Okimoto proposed a 70% cut to the office in the budget, which would lay off three-quarters of its staff.

“In any other sector, meeting less than 40% of your core mission will result in a reorganization,” Okimoto said.

Office director Amy Asselbaye said the cuts would eliminate 18 filled positions.

“We would have to cut 18 positions that are filled today with, as we call them, live bodies — real humans who are dedicated public servants working for the city,” Asselbaye said.

Mayor defends office’s role

Blangiardi acknowledged the audit found important issues but opposes defunding the office.

“We have a problem there. You don’t defund it. We move forward. We solve it. We make it better. I don’t understand that in the least,” he said.

On Friday, Blangiardi sent a letter demanding the office be restored or he would veto the entire budget bill.

He said the office has been essential in organizing and streamlining emergency aid during the pandemic for rent and family support, and for farms and businesses after recent storms.

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At a hearing in May, Hunter Heaivilin of the Hawaii Farmers Union said the office provides critical support.

“If we are now proposing to remove that at a critical juncture where farmers are facing unprecedented losses and do not have federal backstops, it is critical for the county to step in and provide that support,” Heaivilin said.

Political stakes

Council chair Tommy Waters backed Okimoto’s decision. He and Okimoto did not respond to requests for an interview Monday, but council staff pointed to comments she made a month ago defending the cut.

“Council oversight is not an obstruction. It is oversight,” Okimoto said. “We are not gutting an office. We are performing a long, overdue fiscal right sizing.”

Blangiardi said the cut is politically motivated.

“It’s driven politically for whatever reasons, and maybe people feel like, somehow, this will be a badge of honor. I don’t even understand that. This makes no sense,” he said.

Asked how would answer those who say saving money is important Blangiardi brought up large pay raises granted the council over the last three years.

“Save money for what? For pay raises?” Blangiardi said. “Yeah, where’s that coming from?”

Both Waters and Okimoto are up for re-election this year. The budget is scheduled to pass in two days.

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