2017-08-09 Letter to Ms. Luana Kawelu re Halau overnight stay at Parks & Recreation facilities

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Harry Kim Mayor AT ifV of,41niu l"i Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara I Kossow Deputy Managing Director (Offixr of fir Anpr 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 9 Fax(808)323-4440 August 9, 2017 Ms. Luana Kawelu 865 Pi`ilani Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Ms. Kawelu: RE: Halau Overnight Stay at Parks & Recreation Facilities As you know, historically, the Department of Parks and Recreation has allowed overnight stays (at Kawananakoa Gym, Papa`ikou Gym, Waiakea Recreation Center, and Waiakea Uka Gym) by halau participating in the annual Merrie Monarch Festival (MMF). According to the MMF website, the 2017 festival included a total of 23 halau, 21 of which were not Hilo -based. The breakdown of people overnighting in the various County Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) facilities are as follows: Kawananakoa Gym Papa`ikou Gym Waiakea Recreation Center Waiakea Uka Gym 24 people housed for one night 25 people housed for 8 nights 35 people housed for 4 nights 25 people housed for one night 51 people housed for 4 nights This year, the Hawaii County Fire Department (HFD) alerted DPR of specific Fire and Building Codes that are being violated by allowing this practice. To immediately address these violations and allow overnight stays at this year's MMF, DPR required, per Fire Code and exemption, an approved fire watch at each facility. Following the conclusion of this year's MMF, at my instruction, DPR conducted an extensive study of DPR Administrative Rules, and Hawaii County Building and Fire Codes, to ascertain whether this practice should be allowed to continue. County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.