HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0663.024 2020-2022 P/special Council
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Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2022 11:22 AM
To: Lisa Barton COUNTY CLERK
Cc: Council Testimony COUNTY OFHAWAI'I
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Subject: RE: Dear CountyCouncil Members RECEIVED
- 11:220".
Time By
Date
MAY 1 9 7072
From: Lisa Barton
Sent:Thursday, May 19, 2022 8:46 AM
To: Council Remote Testimony<councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: Fwd: Dear County Council Members;
Dear County Council Members;
Heather Kimball, Aaron Chung, Susan LeeLoy, Ashley
Kierkiewicz, Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Maile Medeiros
David, Rebecca Villegas, Dr. Golems Goro Inaba, and Dr.
H. M. Tim' Richards III DVM,
Comm. No. ''�A`V,A lit
Ref. To: P1 WvIi—
Ref. Date MAY 1 9 2022
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Mayor Mitch Roth, Director of Finance: Deanna Sako,
Director of Parks&Recreation: Maurice Messina,
As a North Hilo community member of Hawaii Island for
the past 40 years I am requesting support for matching
funds for Papaaloa gym.
District 1 has the unique distinction of having towns very close to Hilo and very far away from Hilo. Having association with Hilo
makes one think we have easy access to town and town resources,we however do not.
If we are cut off by a traffic accident or landslide we do not have a way to reach Hilo 25 miles south of us or Honokaa 20 miles
away to the north.We have to make do with what we have.We are lucky to have the amenities we do and we appreciate
them as some of the greatest features of our community.
Papaaloa gym has been the gathering place for graduations, baby parties,weddings,Christmas,concerts, Halloweens, Easters,
etc.At this facility children learn their community is family,they learn about each other and working together-long before
getting into school.As a result of these gatherings children understand the concept of the village helping to raise the children.
have personally participated in raising my children with this village concept for many decades. Now I see my children and my
grandchildren's children doing the same. If I look towards my hanai family they have five and even six generations using this
facility.
Until Covid we had played basketball and volleyball as we always had and had holiday events and summer fun programming.
When Covid happened we waited and the children waited,two years of growing and missing out;the whole time being told to
be patient we will get through.Then we are all told we won't be allowed in and it's being torn down,without any plans to
replace it!!
This community is not near any other facility but Laupahoehoe Point gym which has its own edict as the senior meeting center
and gathering place for Office of aging needs, not P&R. It too needs repair but will do in a pinch since we have no other place,
at least for basketball. It would be prudent to say we need a facility in our area but it isn't just prudent it's necessary.The
majority of the children of our community have always walked a short distance to our beautiful Papa'aloa gym for sports and
activities.We are hoping you will see it through to find the money to rebuild a facility that will serve as greatly as Papaaloa
Gym has served this community.
This community learned a long time ago the government can't do it alone. Groups of people forming community emergency
response teams,volunteer fire companies,community councils serve as advocates of the community and want to help
preserve the resources in our community which our elders worked hard to obtain.These facilities were built and should be
maintained. I feel our community has worked tirelessly to keep all,of the facilities we have. In recent decades at on time or
another the pool,the school, the library,the police station,fire station, have all been threatened to close. Our track record for
working tirelessly to fight for them all should speak for itself.We need help from our representatives both state and county
wide. I respectfully request your assistance for a community facility to replace Papaaloa.
Our argument whenever a place came up on the chopping block was the same as now-Where will our Keiki go??What will we
do without this facility?!
I'm still trying to figure out how it's even possible that this iconic, historic building of such community importance could be
demolished.Why it isn't being protected by historical register is a wonder.
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Please help us build a replacement for this beloved building and secure a better future for generations to come.
Mahalo and Aloha
Lisa Barton
Sent from my iPhone
Aloha Lisa
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