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In 1980, Spencer Kalani Schutte was elected to the Hawai`i County Council and held <br /> office for 14 years. He then became the County Deputy Director of Finance from 1997 until his <br /> retirement in 2000. Spencer Kalani Schutte loved politics and serving the people of Hawai`i, but <br /> ranching was his true passion. <br /> Spencer Kalani Schutte always focused on community health and well-being, and he was <br /> instrumental in securing funds to build the Waimea District Park, which was built in 2016 and is <br /> now used for youth and kupuna sports, community gatherings and has been an exceptional <br /> addition to beautiful Waimea. <br /> Spencer Kalani Schutte was also known as a strong advocate for the elderly, the poor, the <br /> homeless and the emotionally and physically challenged. He established the island's first <br /> domestic violence shelter in Hilo. He always looked out for the needs of the community that he <br /> loved. This was also evident in the groundwork he made in creating partnerships to build low <br /> cost housing for the Council District he represented and has been credited with adding hundreds <br /> of affordable housing units in Waimea, Waikoloa,Kawaihae,North Kohala and Hamakua. <br /> Spencer Kalani Schutte was an outstanding leader for our island community and continued to <br /> serve beyond his years on the Hawai`i County Council. <br /> Spencer Kalani Schutte lost a long battle with cancer on November 28, 2000 but has not <br /> been forgotten. On February 2, 2013, a prestigious honor was bestowed on him as one of the <br /> founding members of an elite group called "Na Po`e I Ha'awi Aku—The People Who Gave", <br /> which recognizes outstanding individuals in the community who sacrificed their time to provide <br /> leadership within the community to make it a better place for present and future generations. <br /> Additionally, on March 7, 2013,the Hawai`i State Senate honored and commemorated the late <br /> Hawai`i County Council Member by presenting his family with a Certificate of Recognition for <br /> his advocacy and work to help the less fortunate. <br /> Therefore, pursuant to Chapter 15, Article 8, Section 15-67 of the Hawai`i County Code <br /> 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), that establishes requirements for naming County parks and <br /> recreation facilities, in recognition of Spencer Kalani Schutte's significant contributions to <br /> community, recreational and educational programs in Waimea, the Waimea District Park is <br /> hereby named the "Spencer Kalani Schutte District Park". <br /> 2 <br />