HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0839.001 2022-2024P / Fc,
Res, 500-2q
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Nancy Carr Smith
65-1174 Kahawai St. Kamuela, Hl 96743
808-896-2239
nancy@aLohakohalarealty.com
April28, 2024
Hawaii County Council
Committee on Finance
Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, Chair
Cindy Evans, Vice Chair
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Regarding Res. 500-24 - Authorizes the acceptance of a monetary donation of $750,000
from the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, to be used for the design, permitting and
other costs associated with the construction of a new multi -use community
center/emergency shelter facility at Spencer Kalani Schutte Parkin Waimea.
Aloha County Council Committee Chair, Vice Chair and members,
Please accept my testimony in support of the Council accepting these funds.
As a point of background, this building was designed and planned to be a part of Phase 1 of
the Waimea District Park back in 2015. The costs ran so high that this building, along with a
comfort station and a couple of sports fields were removed from the construction plan.
During the 2021 Mana Road fire, the existing Covered play court facility that did get built, was
used as an EOC of sorts, where fire fighters met every morning to plot the plan for the day. A
group of us fed the fire fighters three meals a day for 7 days, and we were able to set up the
site for donations, which poured in. That facility worked well for that purpose, but it is in no
way a facility to be treated as an emergency shelter.
After the August 8 fires, and the days following, it was clear that Hawaii island could have
fared much worse, Without our amazing first responders, our volunteers who make the
difference, and the equipment that has been gifted to this county by amazingly generous
people, we may have been in a much worse situation.
Our Waimea community services many surrounding communities. The coastal resorts all
come to Waimea for services. Waikoloa to some extent comes to Waimea, as does North
Kohala as well. Waikii is a part of our district, and our community. This is a large area. We
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need a place where people can go in an emergency. Tsunamis, hurricanes, wildfires, and
tropical storms can all cause us to be in a situation to need to evacuate and go where?
This buildingwill suffice as an emergency shelter for all of these neighboring communities.
During safe and healthy times, it can be used by the community as a multi -use building.
Again, this is much needed, it's hard to find a place in Waimea to hold a meeting.
The plan is for this project to be a public/private partnership. I have discussed this with US
Representative Jill Tokuda, and she is working on what Federal funds may be available. I have
discussed this with State Representative David Tarnas, and Senator Tim Richards. I also met
last week with Parks and Recreation Director, Deputy, and Mayor Roth. We are all in
agreement that this is a needed facility, and we will work together in order for it to be not too
much of a burden on any one group. I also have a commitment for private funds and
fundraising to help bridge the gap.
With these funds, the engineers and architects can begin their work, which will likely take 8-
10 months. Requests far funding will occur at the start of next year, and we plan to be able
to break ground next year.
Please support this effort by accepting these funds.
We greatly appreciate it.
Mahalo!
NGTvic� CaY�Svucth
Nancy Carr Smith