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And we’re not trying to do that. Yeah, you can slash this, slash that. We could, but
<br />people going scream. Right? We’re going tocut the golf, we’re going tocut that off. I
<br />like see someone cut um. I like see. It’s AJA, all the seniors golfing. You’re going to
<br />cut that? I like see that. I give a lot of talks here. Tomorrow I’mgoing do the Youth
<br />Leadership Conference. I love the kids. That’s my kuleana, my personal passion. I just
<br />feel like a lucky kid who got lucky. Grew up here, lot of people cared, steered me, I
<br />always try to go talk to kids. 28% vote. Those golfers, AJA seniors, it’s got to come in
<br />about 94, 96. Try cut the band. I never say cut the band, do away with the band. I said
<br />why are we paying somebody $60,000 to lead the band who files for overtime. I mean
<br />no disrespect. I love the culture arts too. I walking in the Merrie Monarch parade last
<br />year, they yell, Mayor Kenoi, save the band. Wow, you know, I played the baritone,
<br />Waiakeawaena. I love music. My kids go Kamehameha, they sing, they in chorus.
<br />Even Ms. Depes, who is the chorus teacher at Kamehameha wrote a letter. Wow,
<br />what’s with her? But I yelled back, when you dial 911, you want the policeman, the
<br />fireman or the trombone come through the front door? And they were quiet on the
<br />parade. I wasn’t trying to be facetious. But I have to sit here and make these decisions,
<br />right? But nobody wants to cut in their program. But I have to do it, right? That’s my
<br />job. That’s why the people elected me to make those tough calls.
<br />MS. WONG:
<br />And we’re trying to cut.
<br />MAYOR KENOI:
<br />But see, you guys just be the Cost of Government Commission and
<br />do that. You know what, I’ll provide the cover. I not going say the Cost of Government
<br />Commission did it. You never hear me say that. I’ve never done that. Never blame.
<br />To me that’s weak leadership. Right? To go that’s the council, that’s the legislature
<br />didn’t pass, or the governor didn’t release the money. I’ve never seen excuse, blame or
<br />finger pointing ever solve a problem or lead to a productive result in the history of
<br />civilization. I’ve never seen that happen. I see other people engaging in it consistently
<br />and repeatedly, but that’s their choice. I just don’t engage in it cause nothing good
<br />comes of it. You create ill will and hard feelings and the next time you have to work with
<br />that person, how are they going to work with you? But, bottom line is whatever you
<br />guys come up with, going be good stuff. I know where you’re going. It’s not one show.
<br />It’s not for nothing.
<br />MS. WONG:
<br />We’re doing this out of our heart.
<br />MAYOR KENOI:
<br />Yeah, from the heart. That’s why I’m here to, sorry for, even today, I
<br />was like, I have to come to this. But because you’re doing it out of your heart, and
<br />you’re all busy, you all have family and commitments. You put your heart and soul into
<br />something when you give, when you serve, you want that to be meaningful. And you
<br />want that to be honored. I certainly don’t want to disrespect or minimize that effort.
<br />Cause I going see you guys shopping, walking down the hall, right? In the church, at
<br />school. We live in the same community. There’s a certain accountability that comes
<br />with that. And we want to make it meaningful. I’m looking for good ideas. You guys not
<br />scared. You guys can tell, eh, you guys should do this. Or you guys should do that.
<br />Some going be feasible and practical and short term. Some might be a little longer
<br />term. Might not happen right away. But government of tomorrow not going look like
<br />government of yesterday. Government is going to be very different going forward. We
<br />have to recognize that. We have to create more opportunities for public/private
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