HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 103 Draft 02 2022-2024AN 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 NAMING THE
BALLFIELD AT THE DR. FRANCIS F. C. WONG STADIUM IN THE HOʻOLULU COMPLEX THE “JAMES “JIMMY” CORREA BALLFIELD” IN HONOR OF JAMES “JIMMY” CORREA.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I:
SECTION 1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to name the ballfield located within the Dr. Francis F.C. Wong Stadium in the Hoʻolulu Complex, situated in Hilo, District of South
Hilo, Island and County of Hawaiʻi, State of Hawaiʻi, in honor of James “Jimmy” Correa.
Born on June 15, 1919, James “Jimmy” Correa, the “Father of Hilo Baseball,” was a man who loved and dedicated most of his life to baseball until his passing on February 7, 2016, in his
hometown of Hilo. He served his country in World War II, fighting in Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. He also served his community as a pump operator with the County of Hawaiʻi’s
Department of Sewers & Sanitation and a recreation leader with the Department of Parks & Recreation. But his greatest service was as a coach, mentoring generations of baseball players
in Hilo for over 50 years.
Coach Correa began his coaching career at St. Joseph High School in 1955, where he led the Cardinals to two Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship titles. He then coached
in various leagues, such as Protect Our Nation’s Youth (PONY), Colt, Babe Ruth, American Legion, Americans of Japanese Ancestry (AJA), and Hawaiʻi Senior Baseball. Coach Correa achieved
national recognition in 1981 when the Hilo Colt All-Stars won the Colt World Series, the first Hilo team to win a World Series championship. He also managed to coach a PONY and Colt
team to win respective State championship titles within the same season. Later in his career, he switched to umpiring baseball and softball leagues before returning to coaching high
school baseball at Waiākea High School and Kamehameha Schools. During his long and illustrious career, he coached nearly everyone who played baseball in Hilo at one level or another,
with most of his coaching years spent at the historic Hoʻolulu Park, now the ballfield at Dr. Francis F. C. Wong Stadium.
Coach Correa was known for his simple and effective style of coaching. He used his deep knowledge of the game to teach his players the fundamentals of baseball and the values of good
sportsmanship, citizenship, and fair play. He did not overcomplicate things; he showed his
players how to see the ball, hit it, and run the bases with speed and intelligence. Coach Correa also taught them how to respect their opponents, teammates, and themselves. Moreover,
he was a humble, kind-hearted, and generous man who inspired many of his players to achieve success in baseball and beyond.
Coach Correa’s lasting imprint on the sport earned him many honors and awards for his service and dedication. He was named Big Island Sportsman of the Year in 1963, received the Hawaiʻi
Jaycees Physical Fitness Award in 1971, and was named National Volunteer Amateur Coach of the Year by the United States Baseball Federation in 1987.
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 unnamed ballfield located
within the Dr. Francis F. C. Wong Stadium in the Hoʻolulu Complex is hereby named the “James “Jimmy” Correa Ballfield.”
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, “South
Hilo” section by adding the “James “Jimmy” Correa Ballfield” to be inserted following the “Dr. Francis F. C. Wong Stadium” under the “Hoʻolulu Complex” and to read as follows:
Ho‘olulu Complex
Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
Aunty Dottie Thompson Hale
Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lūʻau Hale
Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium
Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium
Dr. Francis F. C. Wong Stadium
James “Jimmy” Correa Ballfield
Walter C.K. Victor Baseball Complex
2-2-032:031, 035, 084, 094;
2-2-033:001, 016
SECTION 4. New material is underscored. In printing this ordinance, the underscoring need not be included.
SECTION 5. Severability. 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, 2024.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________________ ___
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________________ ___
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
_______________, Hawai‘i
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date: