HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0970.011 2018-2020 From: Teri Leicher COUNTY CLERK
Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2020 9:52 AM COUNTY F HAWAPI
To: Council Testimony RECEIVED
Subject: Res. 666-20: Pertaining to Small Business Reco fir° JV
By
Date JUL 0 7 2020
Aloha Council members,
As you review the proposals and grant opportunities with regards to resolution#666-20, please consider the many
small business on Hawaii Island. Many are still struggling.
As you all are aware, COVID19 has caused a ripple effect throughout our community.
With hotels and many visitor related businesses and activities still closed, many of us are either unemployed or
partially employed.
This affects everyone from non profits such as PATH, the Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Family Social
Services ... to restaurants and farmers ... to businesses that provide activities and classes to residents and visitors alike.
My business, Jack's Diving Locker has been in business for almost 39 years. We have two retail stores, S boats and
had 49 employees. We have been greatly affected by the shut down. We have lost 10 employees for various reasons
and it has been extremely stressful to all.
We also have DLNR/DOBOR making changes to our operations island and Statewide that threatens our businesses.
We are resilient, creative, innovative and stubborn. We have managed to continue to keep people at least partially
employed with their benefits intact...but it is a struggle to pay our lease each month at our primary store and the land
owner isn't helping any of the many other stores or restaurants in our center.
As you review options for grant moneys ...please remember small business and think of creative ways we can
service our community and receive grant money's.
For example:
Many people in ocean recreation can teach CPR and 1st Aid. There could be a program to certify our community.
Community Swim lessons.
My business teaching marine education to child in our Sea Camp Hawaii mainelife ambassador program. A grant
could allow us to offer this to all kids and keep people working.
Hotels could house students for UH Hilo or Palamanui.
Grants for Restaurants and farmers feeding the hungry.
Revitalizing and landscaping parks.
Hiring janitoral security for parks to keep them open.
Helping PATH to build safer biking paths and fund their bike share program.
Build a bike and walking path down Palani road.
Anyway ... our community needs think outside of the box ideas to move forward, stay healthy in mind and body and
have hope for the future! People are scared. They need hope.
Mahalo,
Teri Leicher
Jack's Diving Locker
Comm. No.
ef. e: UTA.
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