ConCon costs

On Aug. 1 the Hawaii Constitutional Convention Cost Task Force, led by Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, issued its final report which projected the cost of a ConCon to range from $2.3 million to $11.1 million. Among the variable factors considered: number of delegates (25-102); duration of convention (90-120 days), location (State Capitol, Blaisdell, others), delegate per diem ($90-$150), fringe benefits for delegate staff and convention staff (yes or no). Delegates would be paid $4,201 per month, delegate staff $10,000. A Star Bulletin article (Aug. 2, 2008) reported that Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser "dismissed the idea of a convention with 25 delegates, saying it was too small" and estimated that a ConCon would cost $20 million.

Projecting the Cost of a Constitutional Convention in Hawaii (pdf, 44pp/264kB)