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i Print version - ®ODPYItIGFfT 2007 The Horgkilu Advertixr - Haxrai's Newspaper , a division d Gannett C.o. Inc. II r._._._..._-_._.._._____.....__ The company received no DHHL contracts and very little work from ~ other state agencies from 1993 to 2003, according to a statement of qualifications the firm filed with DHHL. The contract awards coincided with the Lingle administration's launch of an ambitious and expensive program to develop thousands of new homes for Native Hawaiians. IThe 1Saupea~subdtvisitur in Kapolei is partot the jargest residential DHI-lI, director Micah Kane, past chairman of the Hawaii development in Department of i Republican Party, defended the contract awards, saying the company ~ Hawaiian Horne lands h1story. Some families atready.haye moved in[o was well qualified for the jobs and has performed excellent work for ~ completed homes. the department, much of it under the supervision of 13ernard Kea, a respected part-Hawauan engineer who sold the compa~ to Pickard ~ P,hotos by ANRREW SHIMASUxu ~ j but stayed on with the firm in a part-time status. i The Honolulu advertiser Pickazd's political support of the GOP had nothing to do with the ~ - - - - contract awards, Kane said. i : ~ i~ :;x-. Lingle spokesman Russell Pang said the governor has no involvement in consultant selections. The procurement process is designed to be, and ultimately is, open and transparent. All departments follow the proper procurement procedures," the written statement from the governor's office said. ~ Construc#liri continuesat fCaupe'a: ~ in October2003 the,gHHLawarded e $984,1100.consutting:eontract to Pickard said the contracts were awarded because Community ~ Cammixiity Rlarrning aril Planning is "the best subdivision engineering company in the state." Engiri?ei1iSB 1!ic: tp; plan and engineer the housing: project. The company's expertise and efficiency will save DHHL "tens of i . millions of dollars in wnstruction costs," Piokard said. But the first five DHHL jobs given to Community Pla~ung may have violated a section of state procurement law, enacted by the Lingle administration in July 2003, that members of consultant selection committees must be "impartial and independent," according to Aaron Fujioka, head of the state Procurement Office. Committee members Larry Sumida and Joseph Blevins had begun work at DHHL just weeks before the first contract award and among those who recommended them for employment were Kea and Pickazd, according to records and interviews. The third committee httP://the.Ftw~hsdvert~ercaryatlde/20p7/Sep/p2/In/IrawaiD0902fri56.MmU?prfit--on (2 d 7) ISO/12/200712:36:14 PMl