2018-01-09 Letter to Larry Ostini re Municipal Golf Course in the Kona area

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YY os y ' :. •, . ..'. Wil Okabe Managing Director Harry Kim .14 .!: I�:, Mayor =--'ea. • e� ;7 _ Barbara J. Kossow o', i Deputy Managing Director (gaunt ofclitatnai`t ®ffcrr of tir41Rauar 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA. 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 January 9, 2018 Mr. Larry Ostini 77-159 Laaloa Ave Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Dear Mr. Ostini, RE: Your letter regarding a Municipal Golf Course in the Kona area Thank you for your letter advising me of the issues you see concerning the cost of playing golf in the Kona area. Upon receiving your letter, I met with several county departments in order to get a full picture of the matters you addressed, and to obtain a briefing on the different alternatives available for solutions. At my request, the Department of Parks and Recreation (P&R) provided my office with several options regarding the topic, including pros and cons of the options as well as feasibility and costs associated with each. As stated in your letter, it would be very costly to build a new golf course, and at this time, I cannot reasonably ask our residents for the necessary funding and resources required to build a new golf course as our island struggles with numerous immediate social and economic concerns that must take priority. One of the more practical alternatives presented to me by P&R was a type of subsidy program, which you also alluded to in your letter. I have asked P&R to develop a draft plan on a subsidy program for my review and consideration that would be progressive and take into account the current financial situation of the county. Once this process is complete, I will inform you of my decision. Sincerely, Harry Mayor c: Roxcie Waltjen, Director, P&R County of Hawarn is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.