HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 098 Draft 01 2020-2022AN ORDINANCE NAMING THE RODEO ARENA GRANDSTAND AT THE PANAʻEWA EQUESTRIAN CENTER THE “ALVIN ‘AL’ CABRAL RODEO ARENA GRANDSTAND” IN HONOR OF ALVIN “AL” CABRAL AND AMENDING CHAPTER 15,
ARTICLE 8, SECTION 15-68.1, OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY AMENDING THE PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY SCHEDULE TO REFLECT THIS ACTION.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I:
SECTION 1. The purpose of this ordinance is to name a rodeo arena grandstand located within the Panaʻewa Equestrian Center at the Panaʻewa Recreational Complex, situated in Hilo, District
of South Hilo, Island and County of Hawaiʻi, State of Hawaiʻi, in honor of Alvin “Al” Cabral.
Alvin “Al” Paul Cabral was born on June 15, 1947, in ʻOlaʻa. He resided at 591 Alawaena Road in Hilo, Hawai‘i until he passed away on September 8, 2020. He previously served in the
Hawaiʻi Army National Guard and retired as an electrical engineer from Hawaiʻi Electric Light Company after a career that spanned 27 years. As a charter member and long-time president
of the Hawaiʻi Horse Owners Association, Al spent the last 27 years of his extraordinary life maintaining a safe space and coordinating events for Hilo’s equestrian community.
Planning for Hilo’s first rodeo grew out of a desire to revive the equestrian sporting scene that was once popular during the Monarchy era. Originally hosted at the former Hoʻolulu Racetrack
and Grandstand, currently the Hoʻolulu Recreational Complex, all equestrian activities were moved to Panaʻewa after a land exchange by the County in 1973, thus creating the Panaʻewa
Equestrian Center. Though frequently used by the community, it was not until the formation of the Hawaiʻi Horse Owners Association in 1993 that the center began to live up to its potential.
By undertaking the kuleana of transforming and maintaining the site, Al and the association aimed to make it a safe and operational place that could host a variety of functions. The
early years of the association featured rodeos, chariot races, and horse races. For their first horse race, held in conjunction with the Merrie Monarch Festival in 1995, Al worked diligently
with local haulers and constructors who donated their time to improve the area's infrastructure. Their combined efforts ultimately resulted in an event that attracted upwards of 5,000
spectators.
As the popularity of the sport increased, the Hawaiʻi Horse Owners Association directed their efforts towards planning the annual Panaʻewa Stampede Rodeo, with Al serving as a director.
As a director, he continued to develop connections with private/public entities and community volunteers to generate support to continue to improve the arena. A few of his many achievements
include acquiring and assembling light poles within a single day, securing ADA-compliant bleachers to accommodate growing crowds, and providing a pavilion to shade audiences.
Even through difficult times, Al remained a strong leader, a constant presence in the arena, who always made sure that the show would go on. After nearly thirty years of successful events,
the Panaʻewa Stampede Rodeo has become a large, enduring rodeo for participants of all ages with many activities such as roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. For many within Hawaiʻi’s
paniolo community, partaking in the rodeo is a family tradition, with a number of competitors who have gone on to compete in the professional circuit. The long-term success of the
Panaʻewa Stampede Rodeo is but one result of Al’s long commitment to the sport.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to chapter 15, article 8, section 15-67, which provides that a structure may be named for a person who has “contributed significantly to the recreational programs
in the community in which the open area is located,” “achieved significant recognition on the national or international level,” or “accomplished significant achievements in other fields
of endeavor which have been of benefit to other persons,” the unnamed rodeo arena grandstand located within the Panaʻewa Equestrian Center is hereby named the “Alvin “Al” Cabral Rodeo
Arena Grandstand.”
SECTION 3. Chapter 15, article 8, section 15-68.1 of the Hawai‘i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), is amended by amending the parks and recreational facility schedule, “Hilo/Hāmākua”
section by adding the “Alvin “Al” Cabral Rodeo Arena Grandstand” to be inserted following the Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center and to read as follows:
“Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center
(1) Alvin “Al” Cabral Rodeo Arena Grandstand”
SECTION 4. New material is underscored. In printing this ordinance, the underscoring need not be included.
SECTION 5. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications
of the ordinance, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable.
SECTION 6. This ordinance shall take effect June 15, 2022.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________________ ___
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
_______________, Hawai‘i
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date: