HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN PRPSC 2021/12/08 2020-2022Committee on Parks and Recreation
and Public Safety
20th Session
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai i
December 8, 2021
CALL TO
The regular meeting of the Committee on Parks and Recreation and Public
ORDER:
Safety was called to order at 9:01 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by
Mr.
Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair.
ROLL CALL:
Present:
Mr.
Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair
Mr.
Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair (came in later)
Mr.
Aaron S. Y. Chung. Member
Ms.
Maile Medeiros David, Member
Ms.
Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member (came in later)
Ms.
Heather L. Kimball, Member
Ms.
Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member
Mr.
Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member (came in later)
Ms.
Rebecca Villegas, Member
STATEMENTS
FROM THE
PUBLIC ON
AGENDA ITEMS
COMMUNI-
r A TTnNc
The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
Statements from the Public on Agenda Items.
The Chair called Marcia Brinkley, who registered to comment regarding
Communications 511, 512, and 513, and came forward when called.
CHR. INABA: Mahalo, Relly. And for the record we have full membership in
attendance at this time. Mr. Clerk, if we could please move on to
Communication 176.8.
The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
Communications.
Comm. 176.8: REQUESTS A PRESENTATION OF THE DECEMBER 2021 HAWEO
AWARD TO TYLER FARDIG, FIRE FIGHTER — HAWAI`I FIRE
DEPARTMENT
From Council Member Holeka Goro Inaba, dated November 9, 2021.
Motion to Close File: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 176.8.
Seconded by Ms. David.
PRPSC-20
CERTIFICATE OF
APPRECIATION:
December 8, 2021
CHR. INABA: Aloha everyone. And we are at our last Haweo Award of the
2021 calendar year. At this time I'd like to call Mr. Fardig and whoever from our
Fire leadership who will be sharing Mr. Fardig's reason for being the recipient of
the Haweo Award. Good morning Chief Todd, and everyone else from the
department.
(Note: At this time, the December 2021 HAWEO Award was presented
to Tyler Fardig, Fire Fighter Hawaii Fire Department, in recognition of
going above and beyond the call of duty. Fire Chief Kazu Todd came
forward and provided statements regarding his exceptional activities in
service to the community. Chair Inaba provided a celebratory Hawaiian
Chant.)
CHR. INABA: Congratulations Mr. Fardig. We're going to take a vote to close
file on Communication 176.8. All those in favor, please say "aye."
Vote on Comm. 176.8: The motion to close file on Comm. 176.8 was carried
Filed by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. INABA: At this time we're going to put the meeting into recess until
9:21 a.m. for a quick picture taking. This meeting is in recess.
Recess: At 9:17 a.m., the Chair called for a recess.
Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 9:21 a.m.
CHR. INABA: Aloha, I'm calling this meeting out of recess, its 9:21. Again, this
is the Committee on Parks and Recreation and Public Safety. Mr. Clerk, at this
time if we could please move on to Communication 511.
Comm. 511: REAPPOINTMENT OF ISAAC NAHAKU`ELUA TO THE VETERANS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
From Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated November 10, 2021, requesting the
Council's review and confirmation.
Page 2
PRPSC-20
December 8, 2021
Vote on Comm. 511: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend confirmation of the
(Approved) reappointment of Mr. Isaac Nahaku`elua to the Veterans
Advisory Committee. Seconded by Ms. David and carried
by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and
Chair Inaba — 8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Richards —1.
Excused: None.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome came forward and
provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background and experience.
Committee Members spoke in favor of the reappointment.
CHR. INABA: With that we'll move on to Communication 512.
Comm. 512: REAPPOINTMENT OF MINORU HANATO TO THE VETERANS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
From Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated November 10, 2021, requesting the
Council's review and confirmation.
Vote on Comm. 512: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend confirmation of the
(Approved) reappointment of Mr. Minoru Hanato to the Veterans
Advisory Committee. Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder
and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and
Chair Inaba — 8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Richards —1.
Excused: None.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome came forward and
provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background and experience.
Committee Members spoke in favor of the reappointment.
Page 3
PRPSC-20 December 8, 2021
Comm. 513: REAPPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL DOOLITTLE TO THE VETERANS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
From Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated November 10, 2021, requesting the
Council's review and confirmation.
Vote on Comm. 513: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend confirmation of the
(Approved) reappointment of Mr. Michael Doolittle to the Veterans
Advisory Committee. Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder
and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and
Chair Inaba — 8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Richards —1.
Excused: None.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome came forward and
provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background and experience.
Committee Members spoke in favor of the reappointment.
Comm. 514: NOMINATION OF MICHAEL HUGHES TO THE LIQUOR CONTROL
ADJUDICATION BOARD
From Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated November 18, 2021, requesting the
Council's review and confirmation.
Requires Council
Confirmation by: January 1, 2022 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
Vote on Comm. 514: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend confirmation of the
(Approved) appointment of Mr. Michael Hughes to the Liquor Control
Adjudication Board. Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder
and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and
Chair Inaba — 8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Richards —1.
Excused: None.
Page 4
PRPSC-20 December 8, 2021
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome came forward and
provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background and experience.
Committee Members spoke in favor of the appointment.
Comm. 515: NOMINATION OF CLAUDE S. ONIZUKA TO THE LIQUOR COMMISSION
From Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, dated November 18, 2021, requesting the
Council's review and confirmation.
Requires Council
Confirmation by: January 1, 2022 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
Vote on Comm. 515: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend confirmation of the
(Approved) appointment of Mr. Claude S. Onizuka to the Liquor
Commission. Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder
and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Kimball, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and
Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Pomaika`i Bartolome came forward and
provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background and experience.
Committee Members spoke in favor of the appointment.
CHR. INABA: With that, Bill 98, please.
ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions.
(There were none.)
BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances.
Page 5
PRPSC-20
Motion to Approve:
December 8, 2021
NAMES THE RODEO ARENA GRANDSTAND AT THE PANA`EWA
EQUESTRIAN CENTER THE "ALVIN `AL' CABRAL RODEO ARENA
GRANDSTAND" IN HONOR OF ALVIN "AL" CABRAL AND AMENDS
CHAPTER 15, ARTICLE 8, SECTION 15-68.1, OF THE HAWAII COUNTY
CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY AMENDING THE PARKS
AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY SCHEDULE TO REFLECT THIS_
ACTION
Recognizes Alvin `Al' Cabral's numerous contributions to Hilo's equestrian
community.
Reference: Comm. 534
Intr. by: Ms. Lee Loy
Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend passage of Bill 98 on
first reading. Seconded by Mr. Richards.
CHR. INABA: Ms. Lee Loy.
MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. First of all I want to start with thank you to
you, Chair, and Ms. David, for allowing me to breach the deadline, as my
colleagues know this is the last committee meeting before we get into the new
year. And as I begin to back map a little bit about timing, you know, I felt that
you know, it will be better for us to start this process here with the naming of the
rodeo arena for Mr. Cabral. Little bit of a story, and I have Mr. Messina come
forward if you don't mind. Mo approach me with a petition from members of the
community, to name the facility after Al, and that's actually what started the ball
rolling. And so Mo if you don't mind picking up the story from there, and how
we ended up developing this bill.
(Note: At this time, Parks and Recreation Director Maurice Messina came
forward and addressed the members of the Committee.)
MR. MESSINA: Good morning. Maurice Messina, Director of Parks and
Recreation. Yes, the first time I met with Al, I think it was around 2018. When
he had to come through Parks and Recreation, for the permits for the Pana`ewa
stampede. I remember one of the first conversations that we had revolved around
how old, although I may not look it, I rode in the rodeos when I was a child and a
teenager. And one of the things stuck out to me with Al, is that he reminded me
of my granddaddy. Everything about him was my granddaddy. And I remember
when I was—Michelle just handed me the Pana`ewa stampede the annual that
they have. And in it the cowboy's prayer reminded me a lot of Al.
It's a little bit different, it's a different prayer than what I remember listening to
before our rodeos they would always play Johnny Cash's prayer. And if you guys
don't mind, I would like to read a cowboys prayer just too kind of send it home.
"Heavenly Father, we pause, mindful of the many blessing you have bestowed
upon us. We ask that you be with us at this rodeo, and we pray that you guide us
Page 6
PRPSC-20
December 8, 2021
in this arena of life. We don't ask for special favors, we don't ask to draw a
chute -fighting horse, or never to break a barrier. Nor do we ask that all daylight
runs, nor do we draw a steer that won't lay. Help us Lord to live our lives in such
a manner that when we make that last inevitable ride to the country up there,
where the grass grows lush, green, and stirrup high, and the water runs cool, clear,
and deep, that you as our last judge will tell us, `Welcome home cowboy, your
entry fees are paid."'
That reminds me of Al. And when a community member came to me with that
petition, I don't always we get a lot them come to us for naming a facility
naming and things like that. When it was brought first to my attention that the
community wanted to do this, I asked them to put together a petition. I asked him
to put a statement in that petition a paragraph or two, that when it comes to you
folks, that you would see what their thoughts were behind it. We are in
100 percent support of this. We think it is well do for a man and his family, who
took care of the Pana`ewa Rodeo Arena. Who helped us, who made sure that kids
who didn't have any other place to go can come out there and they could learn.
One year, I think it was in 2019, he proposed a beer garden out there and we gave
him so many stringent requirements, that we were like this will never work. And
he came back with every single thing we wanted answered, even when we ran it
through our Corporation Counsel they were like well how do you disagree with
this, right? And even when I went out there and visited the rodeo arena that
weekend, Al was out there running chutes. He was making sure that everything
was kept on the up and up, because he wanted to make sure that it would continue
on forever. So yes, Parks and Rec is in 100 percent of this and we thank
everyone, and everyone of Al's family for everything they've done for us in the
County.
MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Mr. Messina. And building on that story, when I got
the petition of course I reached out to Jeff, who's a classmate of mine. Jeff is Al's
son. So secretly I began to craft this, and Jeff provided a lot of the background
material for us. But like so many, Al, he was big papa. I mean when it came
rodeo time especially February, he was front and center. But what many might
now not know is even when it wasn't rodeo season, he was consistently giving
back to the Equestrian Center. Clearing, grading, and just taking care of the field
in the arena and the stables. He contributed so many volunteer hours over there
for more than 30 years, so it was just really easy.
But what was hard was keeping it a secret from Nancy, his wife. And I have
Nancy here today, and she hasn't really read this. But one thing I do want to
point out to my colleagues is something that I like to do when we're naming
facilities, is to do it on the birthday of the individual we're naming it for. So
although we pass it here, this will become effective on June 15'', Al's 75Th
birthday.
Page 7
PRPSC-20
December 8, 2021
And so again, I do want to thank my colleagues for their support on this. But the
idea was to kind of launch this now, allow Nancy to share this with her rodeo
family in February. And then do something incredibly special in June around
Al's birthday. But with that Nancy, please take a few moments.
(Note: At this time, Nancy Cabral, wife of Al Cabral came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MS. CABRAL: I'm never short on words. Thank you very, very, much for this
and it was a total surprise. I only found out a few days ago, because my stepson
Jeff is out of town at the national finals rodeo in Vegas, where you've got to know
a lot of money rolls, when it's rodeo time. But I wanted to say, well in many
ways it pales in comparison to what you folks have already discussed when you
talk about our veterans, and we talk about our firefighters, and even the
commissioners that serve on these boards, and then absolutely all of you folks that
give up your time. Because we wouldn't have an order and community, we
wouldn't have a safe place to live, we wouldn't be rescued at our beaches and
that, if it weren't for all of these people and all of you.
And so I say that, and then I say God bless America where we can enjoy that.
Where we can gather at a rodeo for what is today fun, and a good time. And yet
in many ways, not that many years ago, paniolo was a way of life. It was an
economic engine for this entire island, and for this entire State and not really
recognized. I'm always pushing the tourism authority guy, everybody knows we
have sand and surf, and now hula. God bless lets push rodeo, because more
people would travel here for that event.
But anyway, I want to say that Pana`ewa Equestrian Center is a beautiful facility,
and it belongs to you Parks and Rec., and our County. And I absolutely believe if
it were not for my husband it would not be here, it might be a big open field it
might have been already overgrown with rubbish trees.
But because in 1993, `94, `95 time when we got involved in the Hawaii Horse
Owner's became an organization, Mayor Yamashiro was going to close it down.
And only because my husband persisted, as, our Director indicated, he
persistently talked Yamashiro into saying, "let me fix it up, let me take care of it,
let me help you." And from that time forward he then talked Orlando Lyman into
allowing us to—he donated all the cinders to redo because the cinders in the
arena and the race track, have never been replaced since it was built in the 60s.
There was ruts it was in horrible shape, horses legs were tripping and breaking. It
was terrible. Lyman's donated all the cinder to everyone he said, everyone that
can come down to Kapoho I'll donate the cinders.
Arthur Lyman, I'm sorry, said no one is ever going to come and get this. My
husband organized thousands of truck trips from truck drivers throughout the
whole island. Got the County to donate the gas, and we all made sandwiches and
Page 8
PRPSC-20
December 8, 2021
coffee and donated and feed truckers as they kept driving. On two different over
these almost 30 years we've re-cindered the whole thing. Literally for the
County, for the price of gas. But it would have been closed back then, if not for
that. And in recent years my husband got sick he used to mow the lawn at
Pana`ewa, if you've been there it's a pretty big lawn. And I know there's
different opinions about a lot of things, but I do consider this a huge honor and I
appreciate it.
I think most year, God willing we're making a decision this year if we're going to
be able to hold an event. We estimate about 10,000 people came in our 2020
rodeo, so right here in east Hawaii about half of those are children and the
children 12 and under get in for free. So it's a huge event, and it's historical in
the fact that we have events in Hawaii that is done nowhere else that we will lose
very rapidly if not for these kinds of rodeos. Po`o Wai U and double mugging are
done nowhere else in the world, and they're historically linked to our paniolo
past. And I see Councilman Richards here shaking his head. And thank you,
every year you folks donate the sheep we appreciate that for the keiki sheep
riding. So anyway hopefully this is something that's, you know, God bless
America and god bless all of you that we can have these joyful events. Thank
you.
MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Nancy. And we actually dressed up for paniolo day,
just for you.
MS. CABRAL: Thank you. I mean I'm honored and I should have worn my
palaka or at least my pa`u or something. Thank you.
MS. LEE LOY: Chair, I yield at this time.
CHR. INABA: Mahalo, Ms. Lee Loy. Mr. Richards.
MR. RICHARDS: Thank you. And I didn't dress up this is how I dress, okay.
Yeah, dressing up for me is putting on clean jeans as opposed to dirty jeans, right?
All kidding aside, I do agree with everything that you've stated. And the
importance of this, going forward. Maile and I, the Honaunau Arena; Na`alehu
Arena; Parker Ranch, their arena. Honoka`a Arena; this is all part of our heritage.
But it's more than that because we're not looking at something in the past, we're
actually looking at something today it's alive and vibrant. I'm reading this 281h
annual 2020, and reading the names in here. I know half of these families, and
I've worked with them either through ranching side or veterinarian side. I'm up
in age and I'm old enough and I'm sure Council Chair is, and we used to race
horses out at Wong Stadium before, right here in town. Of course people, what
you used to race horses over here.
But anyway this is important. And the appropriate name is not always you find an
appropriate individual that just fits; and this one fits. And so I am very proud to
Page 9
PRPSC-20
December 8, 2021
help be part of this naming, and Council Woman Lee Loy this is more than
appropriate. Because what it does is it's a statement to the community, about how
important this is for our community as a whole. But it's also about Big Island,
Big Island life and the livestock industry cattle and sheep very alive and well here
on this island. And working, you know, I'm the constant advocate for agriculture
and I will keep pushing that. And this is the kind of stuff we need to do to remind
ourselves of that. So I'm very happy to support this. Thank you, Chair. I yield.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Council Member Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Aloha, Nancy. It is so good to see you.
I've known Nancy a number of years, through our service together. Zonta and
before then even oh, my goodness. So honored to be able to support this. Thank
you for coming forward and sharing that story, I mean I just thought about this
being another really prime example of public-private partnerships. In this
situation you really kind of dragging the County along. Like, "You no like? Well
watch me. We're going to do it." And I just really appreciate that kind of spirit
and diligence. And it's absolutely befitting to be naming this space after your
husband, I mean considering that he gave so much of his life and spent so much
of his life in this arena. Absolutely perfect fit.
And you know, just touching upon something Council Member Richards said, we
have to do everything we can to keep paniolo lifestyle and cultural alive. It is part
of our history, but it's also part of our future. And so ways in which we can
continue to elevate it, we'll continue to support it. So thank you for being here.
We all appreciate the tickets that you send us, every year to the event. Took my
son in 2020, and he's a squirmy wormy, that was the only time he didn't move for
like six hours he was just so captivated by the event. So thank you for putting that
on for community. Chair, I yield.
CHR. INABA: Mahalo. Mr. Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Yeah. You know, I never had the pleasure of meeting Al. But
I've got say Nancy, you're probably just as much of a driving force as he was too.
You know, I mean I relate you know, this facility to you really, because you're
the one who promotes it all the time. In my universe Nancy Cabral is, you know.
Jimmy Arakaki always told me, "Hey you know that's a tough lady," you know,
"No mess with her." I said, I got no intention of doing that. But you know, I'm
going to digress somewhat too, because you mentioned Mayor Yamashiro, right?
And he was a fiscal conservative, always wanted to do things, you know, operate
County Government as a business. You know, maybe it's to his credit that this
thing came about, right? He kind of pressed your husband into action. I mean
well, and others, and it became what it has become.
But something that Mr. Richards said, you know, kind of struck a chord, and
reminded me about something I think Ms. Villegas said yesterday. And it had to
Page 10
PRPSC-20
December 8, 2021
do with cost of government. You know, there are some programs that we can
actually do. I mean it's easy to say hey, these things aren't generating monies and
it's kind of drain on our coffers. And we can easily say, maybe we should cut
these things out. There are programs like this, facilities, that actually have just a
real intrinsic value to our communities, right?
Same could be said for the County Band and others, you know that kind of stuff.
Yeah, it might be costing us money, you know, on the front end, but there's just
so much benefits to it on the back end. So I think this is one such program.
And Maurice, what happened to that beer garden, what was the final outcome? It
actually happened? How recently was this? I got to go to this thing, right? I
mean how many, you know, County Fair got rid of their beer gardens, right? I
mean wow, that's fantastic. And what is this, the cowboy prayer?
MS. CABRAL: We did not write it. It's one that's been read at many, many,
rodeos and there's a number of different prayers. But of course all the cowboys
look at things a little bit differently, I think. Councilman Richards knows when
you're dealing with animals that intimately as you might be as a bull rider or even
on horses, and my youngest son is a professional steer wrestler, so trust me, I
know. Your whole life could again, we're not talking about the army and those
types of things. But you could be radically injured, your life could change, and
people do die on horses, even with cattle and stuff. So it's something you feel a
little bit closer to, out of reality a little bit there. So it's been a prayer that we say,
and it's a really good fall back all the time.
MR. CHUNG: So it's not something that Al wrote.
MS. CABRAL: No, no, that wasn't his forte.
MR. CHUNG: Because I was thinking, you know, this really is a cowboy kind of
thing, right? I never used to like country music for many, many, years, but over
the last five years I started to grow too really like it, yeah.
MS. CABRAL: You know, when you play cowboy music backwards you get
your horse back, you get your dog back, you get your girl back, and you get your
truck back.
MR. CHUNG: Yeah, yeah, it's just so basic, right? You got to love the lyrics,
right? And that's the same with this prayer, wow yeah. Anyway thank you, and
congratulations.
MS. CABRAL: Thank you.
Page 11
PRPSC-20
December 8, 2021
MR. CHUNG: Thank you so much Sue. You know, Sue always puts a personal
touch to this thing. She did the Dotti Thompson naming, and somehow she
always connects it and makes it really special. Thank you.
CHR. INABA: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALI'I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. I just want to say
mahalo, and an amazing man. And I'm glad we could honor him and your family,
by naming a facility. It has so much potential, like you've stated. I've been there
as well, it's amazing. And I've been to the rodeos, my family loves it. I want to
say, I cannot remember but I think it was about 10 years ago. But I think my son
actually participated, and rode one of those sheep. But I can't remember. I'm
trying to remember. I was wracking my head did he get on or did he not. He
wanted to, but I can't remember if he did or not.
Regardless it's an amazing event and to name the facility after him, gives it so
much more meaning for the community and for us, and honors your family as
well. Mahalo, Ms. Lee Loy, for bringing this forward. Mahalo for being here
today, and kind of giving us some background of what's going on. And how
important this is, and how important this could be and what it could do for our
community if we took care of it. Mahalo. Thank you, Chair.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Chair, David.
MS. DAVID: Thank you, Chair. Mrs. Cabral, I'm just delighted and impressed
of what you said in your presentation about rodeo itself, as being something that
nowhere else can have the same experience. And as a kid when Mr. Richards was
talking we grew up, my father and all my uncles rode in Kona at the Kona Arenas.
And boy that was the highlight of our childhood, is going to the rodeos. It's
cultural, and it's so important to who we are as an island community. And so
what you said, just hit home to me, because I thought like Po`o Wai U and the
double mugging that was my favorite to watch.
And I thought they did it everywhere, and then when I watched the mainland
rodeos they have bull riding, bronco riding, and you know, I'm going how come
they don't do that? And that's where you hit me, and it hit home. So I really
thank Ms. Lee Loy, it was my honor to breach this, because there is a real definite
reason behind this and the timing is everything. And thank you for asking for
this, and bringing this forward. I wholeheartedly support this, and I really, really,
thank your family for continuing the aloha in rodeo. And making it part of
everyone's lifestyle, and continuing that. To me that's really, really, important. I
thought everybody went to the rodeos. Thank you so much.
MS. CABRAL: You know, I want to thank this Council and this Committee, and
the Committee's and Council's before, and Maurice, and the Chairs and
departments before. Because the arena has been fixed up over the years along
Page 12
PRPSC-20
December 8, 2021
with us, my husband being the bulldozer that may have been pushing it, but it
really was. Not that many years ago when Pat Engelhardt was Chair, we got the
main bleachers covered and that's been a great help. Although it amazes me,
people come and stand there for six to eight hours in the pouring rain, you know,
and still watch. But those are our facilities, and I think we just need to push and
get the whole arena covered.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Ms. Villegas.
MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you. Aloha, it's wonderful to see you. We got to meet
out at an R&D (Research and Development) event. Yeah, talking about our local
economy and tourism, and diversification of our reliance on certain industries and
you had these. You are an incredible advocate, and your family's legacy. And
your family name being placed on this incredible facility that you invested so
much time, energy, love, and determination. And shared your husband with the
community in this capacity. Thank you for that.
And it seems just pointedly serendipitous that we got an email, I think it was last
week about the 10 or 12 days of Christmas and all the themes for kind of dressing
up. And today was the paniolo theme. So it was absolutely great synchronicity,
and to be able to honor your husband and your ohana in this capacity. Mahalo
Ms. Lee Loy, for bringing this forward. And thank you, just really from the
bottom of my heart. Mahalo.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Ms. Kimball.
MS. KIMBALL: Thank you, Chair. Didn't want to be left out of the fun here.
So sad that I never got to meet your husband, he sounds like a really interesting
person and definitely a go getter. Thank you, Sue, for putting this forward.
Actually couple of my daughters had competed in the rodeo, in the barrel racing.
So I have been there to the events, and boy what a fun day that was. And they
learned to ride from Ms. Pudding Lassiter, of course I'm sure you know. And the
experiences that one learns in horseback riding, and learning to fall off that horse
and get back up again have been so critical to my girls growing up.
And I just want to thank Director Messina for sharing the cowboy prayer with us
today, because boy if we can all just live with that mentality. It's not about
winning the day, it's not about catching that steer, it's not about one of events, it's
about living in such a way that when you check out you're entry fee is paid. I
thought that was really beautiful and inspiring, and an idea hopefully we can all
live up to. So thank you again, Sue for putting this forward. And congratulations,
and wholeheartedly support. Thank you, Chair. I yield.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Ms. Lee Loy.
Page 13
PRPSC-20 December 8, 2021
MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. Thank you for my colleagues for all of the support.
And I wanted to touch on something Nancy said, and Aaron said. She said
Hawaii is about sun, surf, hula and now rodeo. And he mentioned Aunty Dottie
which is another facility that I've named. Fun fact, rodeo and the stables is
actually intrinsically connected to the Merry Monarch Festival. Because
Kalakaua used to have those rodeo races down at Ho`olulu complex, before they
moved it over to Pana`ewa.
And Mr. Chung, there are mango trees at the ball field. Those mango trees
actually represent where the stables were back in the day. And that's why those
mango trees will stay there, and now the stables are located up at Pana`ewa. And
so it really is an honor to make all of these connections to what makes Hilo very
special; but our entire island very, very, special and the families in there. So
thank you. Thank you, Nancy, for being here, and thank you to rest of my
colleagues. I yield.
CHR. INABA: Thank you. Mrs. Cabral, mahalo for being here. Sue for
introducing, and our Administration and Department of Parks and Rec. for being
on board, and getting this through. So it seems, gosh I have to say it, such good
vibes today, out from this Council. Well we have a motion before us to forward
Bill 98 to Council with a favorable recommendation, all those in favor please say
Ic aye.
Vote on Bill 98: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 98 on first
(Approved) reading was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. INABA: This brings us to the end of our agenda.
ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 10:27 a.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to
MENT: adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the following
voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Page 14
PRPSC-20
CHR. INABA: This meeting is adjourned at 10:27 a.m.
Approved:
Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair
Parks and Recreation and Public Safety Committee
HI/rk
C /;? 0,
(Date)
December 8, 2021
Page 15