HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 212 Draft 02 2020-2022
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY SCHEDULE, CHAPTER 15, ARTICLE 8, SECTION 15-68.1 OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY RENAMING THE
PĀHOA DISTRICT PARK IN THE PUNA REGION, THE “WILLIAM “BILLY” KENOI PARK,” IN HONOR OF WILLIAM “BILLY” PUNAPAIA‘ALAIKAHALA KENOI.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I:
SECTION 1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to rename the Pāhoa District Park, located in Pāhoa, situated in the region of Puna, Island and County of Hawai‘i, State of Hawai‘i,
in honor of William “Billy” Punapaia‘alaikahala Kenoi, former Hawai‘i County Mayor, public servant, lawyer, teacher, coach, and Ironman finisher.
William “Billy” Punapaia‘alaikahala Kenoi, was born on November 9, 1968, in the village of Kalapana. He resided at 18-1975 Volcano Road in Mountain View, Puna until he passed away on
January 26, 2021, at the age of 52, after a long battle with myelofibrosis, a rare form of cancer he fought valiantly since 2015. Kenoi became the youngest mayor of Hawai‘i County,
at age 39, and was elected to serve two terms from 2008 to 2016. He led the Island and County of Hawai‘i through difficult times including a global economic downturn and numerous natural
disasters such as a lava flow and hurricane, and positively forward into the future, with a focus on creating healthy and safe communities.
Kenoi is a graduate of Waiākea High School and sought post-secondary education at Hawaiʻi Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo. He earned his political science degree
from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1993 and graduated from William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai‘i-Mānoa in 1996. Kenoi passed the bar exam
on his first attempt and then went on to clerk for Judge Richard K. Perkins of the Eighth Division of the First Circuit. He worked for justice as a deputy public defender in the Appellate,
Family Court, Juvenile Criminal and Adult Family Court divisions, and Circuit Court.
Kenoi’s political journey began with a congressional internship in the office of the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, followed by time in both the Hawai‘i State House and Senate as
legislative aide. In 2001, then Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim tapped Kenoi to serve as an
executive assistant, where he led initiatives to address crystal methamphetamine use, housing and homelessness, and the eradication of the invasive coqui frog. Mayor Kim had the foresight
to task Kenoi with the County’s most daunting challenges, knowing that he would rise to the moment and work tirelessly and relentlessly for the people of Hawaiʻi Island.
During his tenure as Hawai‘i County Mayor, Kenoi displayed strong, passionate, and forward-thinking leadership, grounded in aloha with a dash of humor. A firm believer in everyone having
kuleana, Kenoi’s actions and decisions underscored the importance of protecting, preserving, conserving, and perpetuating our beautiful Moku O Keawe for future generations as one of
our greatest responsibilities.
One of Mayor Kenoi’s greatest achievements is the development and enhancement of County parks throughout Hawai‘i Island. Kenoi believed parks to be a pu‘uhonua – a place of hope, refuge,
and safety – away from drugs where keiki could learn respect, sportsmanship, and teamwork. He saw parks as the heart of community, a space to immerse oneself in and reconnect with ‘āina
as well as an opportunity to bring keiki, kupuna, and families together for active living and to create happy memories.
The life of every Hawai‘i Island resident, present and future, is made better because of Billy Kenoi’s visionary leadership, hard work, determination, and perseverance to make the Big
Island, the best island.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to chapter 15, article 8, section 15-67(a)(2)(C) of the Hawai‘i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), that establishes requirements for naming County parks
and recreation facilities 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 Pāhoa District Park
in the region of Puna is hereby named the “William “Billy” Kenoi District Park.”
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 recreational facility schedule, “Puna”
section by renaming the “Pāhoa District Park” to read as follows:
“[Pāhoa District Park] William “Billy” Kenoi District Park
(1) Ginny Aste Skate Park
(2) Pāhoa Aquatic Center
(3) Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility”
SECTION 4. Material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New material is underscored. In printing this ordinance, the brackets, bracketed and stricken material and underscoring
need not be included.
SECTION 5. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances 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 upon approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
________________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
_______________, Hawai‘i
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date: