COM 0045.012 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Goal 3. Develop programs, policies, and businesses that bring people of difJ'erent ages, communities, and generations together for social, cultural, and economic purposes. The Hilo Hamakua Coast consists of diverse rural villages of diverse cultures and a longstanding tradition of agricultural production. The HHCDC should use its organizational structure to bring together people of all ages and cultures for the purpose of building the spirit of community, cultivating cultural pride and intercultural appreciation, and enhancing quality of life for all members of the region. Objective 1. Create more recreational venues which serve people of all ages. The HHCDC should partner with existing non-profit providers, entrepreneurs, and local government agencies to establish youth centers, swimming pools, and entertainment such as dancing, sports leagues, and skate parks. It is particulazly important to provide young people with positive activities during out- of-school time such as after-school, weekends, and summers. Objective 2. Provide ongoing educational opportunities for parents, teachers, and for intergenenrtional exchange. The HHCDC should identify and seek funding to support providers of short- and long-term seminars on parenting skills, innovative teaching methods and performance assessment techniques, and integenerational activities through which elders and youth can team from one another. Objective 3. Improve the availability, diversity, and frequency of public transportation. The HHCDC should seek providers to operate van-based services for medical purposes and travel to specific youth and community sites along the coast It should negotiate with public school bus operators to consider providing late buses from schools to communities and with the Hele-On island system to develop schedules more suited to local resident needs. A specific coastal shuttle to the Hilo ~ airport should also be explored. Goa14. Prioritize educational initiatives which enhance cultural values, care jar the Earth, and promote healt/ty lifestyles. Objective 1. Develop environmental education and protection programs which establish more sustainable approaches to ecosystem management. The HHCDC should work with all levels of government agencies to develop and fund a regional watershed initiative through which beautification becomes a visible priority while the negative human impacts on soils and waterways aze minimized. Such an initiative should address residents' concerns about pesticides, manage or recycle human and green wastes responsibly, and educate all citizens about efficient and sustainable resource management strategies. Grants could be written to support this initiative, which could provide jobs and numerous volunteer oppomrnities. Objective 2. Provide lifelong opportunities to deepen cultural understanding and appreciation, particularly teaching the younger generations about their heritage and traditions. The HHCDC should lead the effort to maintain sacred built and natural places, establish a Hawaiian Cultural Center and regional halaus, and facilitate the pracficing of traditional crafts and storytelling. Objective 3. Improve the quality, scope, and scale of education. The HHCDC should work with the schools to diversify educational opportunities so that students can experience project-based and service-learning, as well as team in community and natural settings among a variety of role models. 18