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CARLSMITH BALL LLP A LIMITED LIABILITY LAW PARTNERSHIP 7$-1000 HENRY STREET, SUITE 209 P.O. BOx 1720 RLCEIVt~ ' KAIWA-KONA, HAWAII 96745-1720 l~ • a~ n y lme_------- B - TELErItoNe 808.329.6464 Fax 808.329.9450 ~ ~ 1:1}B-.~_.L.LI_ W RTRIANTOS@CARLSMITH.COM LR]EIFl1y ~..d1OC{~ May 26, 2004 Mr. James Arakaki, Chairman County of Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Re: Keauhou Kona Triathlon Dear Chairman Arakaki: Please be advised that this office represents Mokuaikaua Church located on Alii Drive, in Kailua Kona. The Church has not spoken out on this issue as it has been trying to be a part of all the events that contribute to the well being of the Kailua Village experience. However, it is with regret that the Church must now speak out and respectfully ask that you consider their historical position and their parishioners in Kailua Village, and to inform you that event organizers, in some cases, are not concerned about the impact on the merchants and the church operations. As you know, the Church has been an integral part of the Kailua-Kona experience for many years, for both the kamaaina and visitor alike. The Church has been a focal point for the town center and its steeple has served as a beacon to those wishing to congregate on Sunday mornings and share their hopes, dreams and prayers. The Church has also been a model citizen of the community, both by ensuring a pleasant and clean area in front of the Church, and making improvements to its landscaping and rock walls for all to enjoy. The Church has also turned the other cheek when asked to sacrifice its peace and quiet for parades and other secular events which close Alii Drive, their only functional and realistic access. The Church has gone out of its way to accommodate many inconveniences with the presentation of various town "oriented" themes and special days, which also close Alii Drive. The more neighborly coordinators of these various events that disrupt the flow of traffic in the heart of Kona have always come in to the Pastor or to the Board to seek ways of ameliorating the circumstances and the inconvenience to the Church. Many of the events are held on Saturdays so that they are not too disruptive to the flow of traffic to the Church on Sunday mornings. Unfortunately, there is an event known as the Keauhou Kona Triathlon, which is being held on May 30, 2004, a Sunday, which will be terribly disruptive to the peace and quiet and to the operation of the Church. As you know, the church services occur on Sunday HONOLULU ~ KAPOLEI ~ HILO ~ KONA ~ MAUI ~ GUAM ~ $AIPAN ~ LOS ANGELES Comm. No. ..^.ef. To: W Ref. Date~lill 1 ~