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From: 60 106�
Rebecca Choi
Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2020 11:54 AM COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAIII
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony in Support of Res. 700-20 Timp
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Attachments: Keiki Heroes Summary - Hawaii Council Update 8.4.20.pdf
Date AUG 0 4 2020
Aloha members of the Hawaii County Council,
I am writing to strongly support Resolution 700-20 (AUTHORIZES MEMBERS OF THE HAWAII COUNTY
COUNCIL TO DESIGNATE A PORTION OF FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC
SECURITY (CARES) ACT FUNDING TOWARDS PROGRAMS/PROJECTS IN RELATION TO THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAI`I).
'rhere are numerous efforts going on in Our community that county council members are best positioned to know
about and fund. TO ensure that these efforts can impact Our community positively, we Heed Our council members to be
able to access and distribute funds efficiently to various grassroots organizations they know and champion. There are
urgent needs in our community and the CARES Act funds must be spent by the end December 2020 so time is of the
essence.
One such project that would benefit from funding through the CARES Act is the Keiki Heroes project. A grassroots
team of community volunteers have been working together to develop a program that addresses a current vacuum in
COVID-19 education: empowerment of keiki. While there is an increasing number Of resources and information
available to adults, there is a gap with having keiki friendly, easy to understand info that reinforces the messages of
adopting healthy practices and empowering keiki to do what they can to protect themselves and their ohana and
community.
Especially with schools reopening, this project is Much needed in Our community. And in our discussions With the
principals and school administrators and teachers, they informed us that they do not have other resources that meet
this Heed. Our team has raised over $I OK in financial commitments and continue to reach out to our generous
community. However, in order to achieve scale and production that is needed urgently within the next few weeks, we
need additional financial resources.
We have submitted grant applications to the County of Hawaii but were denied funding. We have also submitted a
grant proposal for the CARES Act through the County but understand that those funds may not be available to
projects like ours. Attached is a summary of the Keiki Heroes project and what is currently being distributed to
schools, retail stores, and libraries across Hawaii Island.
For efforts like Ketki Heroes, I ask you to pass Resolution 700-20 and support projects that will help our community
become more resilient through the COVID-19 crisis.
Mahalo for your service!
Rebecca
Community volunteer and Keiki Heroes team member
Comm. No.
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