HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 212 Draft 01 2020-2022 JNZY os�'*9y
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COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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ILL NO. 212
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY
SCHEDULE, CHAPTER 15,ARTICLE 8, SECTION I5-68.1 OF THE HAWAII
COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION,AS AMENDED),BY RENAMING THE PAHOA
DISTRICT PARD IN THE PUNA REGION, THE "WILLIAM "BILLY" KENOI PARK,"
IN HONOR OF WILLIAM "BILLY" PUNAPAIA`ALAIKAHALA KENOI.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to rename the Pdhoa District
Park, located in Pdhoa, situated in the region of Puna, Island and County of Hawaii, State of
Hawaii, in honor of William`Billy"Punapaia`alaikahala Kenai, former Hawaii County Mayor,
public servant, lawyer, teacher, coach, and Ironman finisher.
William `Billy"Punapaia`alaikahala Kenoi, was born on November 9, 1968, in the
village of Kalapana. He resided at 18-1975 Volcano Road in Mountain View, Puna until he
passed away on January 26, 2021, at the age of 52, after a long battle with myelofibrosis, a rare
form of cancer he fought valiantly since 2015. Kenoi became the youngest mayor of Hawaii
County, at age 39, and was elected to serve two terms from 2008 to 2016. He led the Island and
County of Hawaii through difficult times including a global economic downturn and numerous
natural disasters such as a lava flow and hurricane, and positively forward into the future,with a
focus on creating healthy and safe communities.
Kenoi is a graduate of Waidkea High School and sought post-secondary education at
Hawaii Community College and the University of Hawaii-Hilo. He earned his political science
degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1993 and graduated from William S.
Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii-Mdnoa in 1996. Kenoi passed the bar
exam on his first attempt and then went on to clerk for Judge Richard K. Perkins of the Eighth
Division of the First Circuit. He worked for justice as a deputy public defender in the Appellate,
Family Court, Juvenile Criminal and Adult Family Court divisions, and Circuit Court.
Kenoi's political journey began with a congressional internship in the office of the late
U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, followed by time in both the Hawaii State House and Senate as
legislative aide. In 2001, then Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim tapped Kenai to serve as an
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executive assistant, where he led initiatives to address crystal methamphetamine use, housing
and homelessness, and the eradication of the invasive coqui frog. Mayor Kim had the foresight to
task Kenoi with the County's most daunting challenges, knowing that he would rise to the
moment and work tirelessly and relentlessly for the people of Hawaii Island.
During his tenure as Hawaii County Mayor, Kenoi displayed strong, passionate, and
forward-thinking leadership, grounded in aloha with a dash of humor. A firm believer in
everyone having kuleana, Kenoi's actions and decisions underscored the importance of
protecting,preserving, conserving, and perpetuating our beautiful Moku O Keawe for future
generations as one of our greatest responsibilities.
One of Mayor Kenoi's greatest achievements is the development and enhancement of
County parks throughout Hawaii Island. Kenoi believed parks to be a pu`uhonua—a place of
hope, refuge, and safety—away from drugs where keiki could learn respect, sportsmanship, and
teamwork. He saw parks as the heart of community, a space to immerse oneself in and reconnect
with `dina as well as an opportunity to bring keiki, kupuna, and families together for active living
and to create happy memories.
The life of every Hawaii Island resident,present and future, is made better because of
Billy Kenoi's visionary leadership, hard work, determination, and perseverance to make the Big
Island,the best island.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to chapter 15, article 8, section I5-67(a)(2)(C) of the Hawaii
County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), that establishes requirements for naming County
parks and recreation facilities, for a person who has "contributed significantly to the recreational
programs in the community in which the open area is located," "achieved significant recognition
on the national or international level," or"accomplished significant achievements in other fields
of endeavor which have been of benefit to other persons,"the Pdhoa District Park in the region
of Puna is hereby named, the"William`Billy"Kenoi Park."
SECTION 3. Chapter 15, article 8, section 15-68.1 of the Hawaii County Code 1983
(2016 Edition, as amended), is amended by amending the parks recreational facility schedule,
"Puna" section by renaming the "Pdhoa District Park"to read as follows:
"[Pdhe" Dist iet Palk] William Billy' Kenoi Park
(1) Ginny Aste Skate Park
(2) Pdhoa Aquatic Center
(3) Pdhoa Neighborhood Facility"
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SECTION 4. Material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New material is
underscored. In printing this ordinance, the brackets, bracketed and stricken material and
underscoring need not be included.
SECTION 5. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application thereof
to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
applications of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable.
SECTION 6. This ordinance shall take effect upon approval.
INTRODUCED BY
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
Hawaii
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1 st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date:
REFERENCE Comm. 1003
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