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June 5, 2007 <br /> To: The Honorable Peter Hoffrnann, Chair and members of the County Council <br /> From: Maori Herkes <br /> RE: KAILUA VILLAGE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT No. 1; <br /> BILL 55, Draft 2 <br /> <br /> Aloha: <br /> I strongly encourage you to support the establishment of the Kailas Village Business <br /> Improvement District No. 1. <br /> I am not an owner of property or business in Kailua at this time but I have "worked" on <br /> <br /> the village since the 50's and am still very much interested and supportive of business <br /> improvement and enhancement of the village, its environment and of Kona in general. I <br /> <br /> heard many people in Kau say last night that they did not like Kona, did not want to be <br /> `like Kailas' and I must say it hurt to heaz that but maybe that is why we are here. <br /> In the past, I served on the Kailua Village Design Commission for six yeazs, worked with <br /> Kona Outdoor Circle to `plant' in Kailua, helped enhance Kailua Pier many times, served <br /> on committees to beautify the village and improve safety in the village with Aloha Patrol. <br /> I have owned several businesses downtown (restaurants and retail operations); worked in <br /> the retail trade in Kailua Village, worked for the chamber of commerce, and eaten at <br /> many of the restaurants. I walk in Kailas Village and go to many events there. I like <br /> Kailas Village and want to see it improved. <br /> I was the statewide Main Street Duector for Historic Hawaii for five yeazs from 1985 to <br /> 1990 and met with many of the same Kailas Village business owners who are working <br /> towazd the implementation of the BID now. Improvement Districts aze common tools for <br /> downtown areas that want to improve their business climate. People like to shop and <br /> recreate in azeas that aze clean and safe and will avoid azeas in which property owners do <br /> not take an active interest. <br /> I applaud Kailas business owners for finding out what works and for working with <br /> Waikiki and Fort Street Mall. In the late 40's and eazly 50's, going to high school on <br /> <br /> Oahu, we played a lot in Waikiki going to the beach and movies. It is a joy to return these <br /> <br /> days and find an even better ambience in these areas aRer not wanting to return for yeazs. <br /> I do have a long history with Kailas also, from 1954, and remember many efforts to <br /> improve the Village. Some were successful but did not have the long term benefit that is <br /> <br /> hoped for this effort. I hope you will pass this BID to encourage the investment in <br /> improvements for one of our island's and our state's bridges to history. This <br /> improvement district is not a burden on the village property owners; instead it is an <br /> opportunity to enhance the environment in which they own property <br /> ~8.~.aa <br /> Ref. To: <br /> Ref. Uate~h~,- <br /> <br />