HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 172 Draft 01 2020-2022A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE NAMING AND DEDICATION OF THE PĀHOA ROUNDABOUT IN MEMORY OF RENÉ SIRACUSA TO HONOR HER LIFE, LEGACY, AND SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUNA.
WHEREAS, René Siracusa was a remarkable and beloved member of the Puna community, a loving hānai mother, and founder of Malama O Puna; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Siracusa lived a life of many accomplishments, service, and purposeful activism, including earning two collegiate degrees in linguistic anthropology, advocating for community
health and safety, championing animal rights, protecting and beautifying the ‘āina through environmental restoration and preservation, and being a tenacious voice for social justice;
and
WHEREAS, Ms. Siracusa played an integral role in fostering activities that promote the health and wellbeing of island residents and the environment through her lasting work and exceptional
dedication to sustaining our precious resources and building community capacity; and
WHEREAS, the values and servant-leadership ethic Ms. Siracusa exemplified are embedded within various organizations that she was a part of, including Puna Community Medical Center, Puna
Outdoor Circle, Pāhoa Weed & Seed, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Puna Malama Pono, Puna Friends of the Parks, Friends of Puna Library, Hawai‘i County Windward Planning Commission,
and the 2011 Hawai‘i County Redistricting Commission; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Siracusa was actively involved in administering a variety of efforts including, but not limited to, serving as fiscal sponsor for numerous grassroots organizations; battling
invasive species such as albizia, coqui, little fire ants, miconia, and red mangrove; restoring the Keau‘ohana and Halepua‘a Forest Reserves; and helping to host an international conference
educating community on rat lungworm disease; and
WHEREAS, the positive impacts of Ms. Siracusa and her endeavors strengthened our community fabric while her legacy will live through the actions she drove and the people she lifted up;
and
WHEREAS, Malama O Puna, through Ms. Siracusa’s tireless leadership, catalyzed community-driven beautification of the Pāhoa Roundabout by coordinating donations of native vegetation and
materials and organizing volunteers to upkeep the scenery; and
WHEREAS, the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has jurisdiction over the naming and dedication of the Pāhoa Roundabout; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation name and dedicate the Pāhoa Roundabout in memory of René Siracusa to honor
her life, legacy, and significant contributions to Puna.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the René Siracusa Pāhoa Roundabout be recorded into the digital asset listing and archives of the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ongoing, grassroots efforts to beautify the Pāhoa Roundabout continue to be supported with all forms of community assets as a testament to the life of service
that René Siracusa demonstrated and to help ensure that her legacy endures.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the naming and dedication of the roundabout in honor of René Siracusa would be an indelible reminder of her passion, dedication, and immense aloha for Hawai‘i
Island and its people.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Director of the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation; Honorable Mayor Mitchell D.
Roth; the Director of the Department of Public Works; Malama O Puna; and Mainstreet Pāhoa Association.
Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
CHUNG
DAVID
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________.
INABA
KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
KIMBALL
ATTEST:
LEE LOY
RICHARDS
VILLEGAS
Reference:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.