HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0129.001 2022-2024 P/�unc�[
Reg. C1-15
001MITY CLERK COW. 121 -
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March 6, 2023.123 MAR —6 IM It; 06
Good morning Hawaii County Council Members,
My name is Dr. Trina Nahm-Mijo, and I am President of the Non-profit 501(c )(3)
organization, Grassroots Community Development Group (GCDG), which has been in
existence since 2005. Our mission is to "strengthen our communities through the
cooperative development of programs and services for east Hawaii and to provide
quality programs for youth and families." •
I am giving testimony in support of Resolution 67-23, put forth by County Council
member, District 6, Michelle Galimba to grant GCDG a $2500 grant towards the
completion of Ola'a Skatepark's Phase II initiative. First, a little background.
In 2018, one of our youth members brought to our attention that there was a
long-time abandoned tennis court in Kurtistown Park and asked whether GCDG would
support the space being converted into a skatepark. The County agreed to support this
initiative and with the vision and labor of the youth skateboarding community, GCDG
found funding through government and private donors to build the only street style
skatepark on the Big Island called Ola'a Skatepark (OSP). Phase I involved clean-up of
the abandoned site, the build out of 8 skating features including a miniramp, benches,
ledges and rails.
The park opened in 2020, in the middle of the COVID epidemic and became an
important recreational oulet for area youth who were suffering from the isolation and
lack of adequate physical activities. Averaging 10 users a day, OSP serves
approximately 3,600 users per year. Besides creating a viable new outlet for youth and
families, the increased use of the park resulted in the drug user population moving out
of the front pavilion.
In FY 2021-2022, GCDG received a GIA to begin Phase II of OSP. This involved
taking down the 12 foot back fence, clearing out the back hill and adding 3 more skating
features which incorporated Pacific style rockwalls into ramps. The CRF funds being
awarded by Council member Galimba will support the build out of a 3 foot ADA required
sidewalk from the handicapped space in the parking lot to the entrance of the skatepark.
GCDG will also support the purchase of 3 picnic tables to be added to the field side of
the park which will increase its desirable for families wanting to spend time together
eating a meal or snack. The $2500 CRF funds will go towards the approximate $10,000
cost for materials. Labor will be provided free by the students of the Hawai'i Community
College Carpentry program who will use the project as a learning experience. Thus,
besides improving the park space, the collaboration with the community college will
provide training and education opportunities for students.
Please support Councilwoman Galimba's Resolution 67=23 which will support
GCDG's continuing efforts to develop the usability and aesthetics of OSP and
Kurtistown Park. Mahalo for your time and attention!
Comm. le ' I
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Ref. Dote MAR - 8 2023