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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> C JUL 5 Pn ~ ~ rq <br /> <br /> July 3, 2006 <br /> <br /> Dear Council Chairman Stacy Higa, <br /> <br /> Aloha, my name is Travis Santiago. I am writing to you on behalf of myself as <br /> well as the many Big Island residents that I have spoken with, concerning the TOTAL <br /> BAN of alcoholic beverages at all public parks proposed by Mr. Jacobson. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jacobson is claiming that these social gatherings at these beach parks are <br /> like "wild drunken parties". I strongly disagree with this claim he is making. I get the <br /> impression that Mr. Jacobson is stereotyping anyone who drinks at these beach parks <br /> to be labeled as bad apples. He, as well as everyone else should understand that this <br /> is far from the truth. <br /> <br /> Being a resident in Hawaii for twenty nine years, I know that going to the beach is <br /> a way of life here in the islands. I have been to numerous family and social gatherings <br /> that have involved alcoholic beverages. I have seen others partake in other such <br /> gatherings. People, like myself, have gathered at these beaches for various occasions <br /> such as, birthday parties, graduation parties, weddings, or a weekend to just kick your <br /> feet up with a relaxing cookout with friends and family. I have never been to any of <br /> these gatherings where alcohol was consumed and felt that it was unsafe. Nor have I <br /> ever heard of any other beach goers who complained that they felt like they were in <br /> unsafe territory because people around them were drinking. <br /> <br /> I strongly believe that the number of responsible drinkers greatly outweigh the <br /> irresponsible ones. I think Mr. Jacobson should look into isolating the few bad apples <br /> he claims are having "wild drunken parties". Underage drinkers, for one, at these <br /> beaches are not an unfamiliar sight and they may very well be the irresponsible people <br /> that partake in having these "wild drunken parties". With new laws being enforced, the <br /> under-aged drinker would be easily discouraged from such unsightly gatherings and I'm <br /> sure it will decrease the already minimal bad apples that Mr. Jacobson is referring to. <br /> <br /> In closing, I would just like to ask that you take into consideration the "Way of <br /> Life"of the people who utilize our beaches in Hawaii. These beach goers having social <br /> gatherings with responsible drinkers are a way of life for them, just as tail-gaiters are at <br /> the Rainbow Warrior games on Oahu have been for them. <br /> <br /> <br /> Mahal , <br /> <br /> <br /> is 4anVago Comm. No. .I~ <br /> <br /> Ref. To: Ud__ <br /> Ref. Dote <br /> ~UG 2- _ <br />