The chairman of the House Retirement Committee Rep. Vailoata Amituanai says his main reason for switching his vote from no to yes on the bill to raise the ceiling of local investment by the Retirement Fund, was because the Hawaiki Cable has landed in the territory.
He says if funding to pay for the Hawaiki Cable service is not provided the territory may not be able to gain the full benefits from such a huge investment. “Benefits such as long distance education and telemedicine,” he said.
Vailoata rubbished suggestions that he has been offered a high position by the administration for his vote.
The faipule who is running unopposed in the November elections has been adamant that the Retirement Fund management and board first provide an actuary on the impact on the Fund of the investment on the Hawaiki Cable.
On Monday he had tried to have the bill tabled in Committee but was unsuccessful. Then he voted no when the bill was read in second reading that day.
But yesterday Vailoata was one of the 12 representatives who voted for the bill ensuring its passage in third reading.
Vailoata said there’s no truth to suggestions that he was offered something in return for his vote.
He said, “I was looking at both sides and I decided that we have to go with the investment weve made and hope that changes will be made to ensure our investment is protected.”
