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KOI'IA-KOMALA 75-5737 KUakiniHwy.,SUiti~208,,, ?,1
CMIAMBER Kailua-Kona,H196740 7 ~ -
OF COMMERCE Phone:808.329-1758 Fax:808-3~9-8564
www.kona-kohala.com info~kona•kohala.com
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
February 7, 2003
Dear Council Members,
I am writing this letter to you on behalf of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of
Commerce and its Board of Directors. Our organization represents a
membership of over four hundred and fifty businesses from the west side of the
Big Island. This membership constitutes a large segment of the West Hawaii
population who are involved, committed, and concerned community leaders and
citizens.
We Speak emphatically, with a collective voice and established position in favor
of a West Hawaii Civic Center being approved and built in the Kailua-Kona area.
May I let our membership speak for themselves in sharing with you a sampling of
the comments, remarks and opinions on this subject:
-I think the Civic Center makes a statement that the County does address West side issues
seriously, and the time spent in permHting, etc. would lessen just by these departments being
loca;„J nearby. Cris Halner
-Based on the $500, 000 in rents beiny paid currently t/vnuyhout ttre Kailua area (according to
WH7J, one central location certainly makes sense. A county building would mean W. Hawaii IS
part of the countyr Vicky Kornetani
-I think a building of this sort is long overdue. From a practical standpoint it is needed. The West
Hawaii community needs a focal point for county govt. In the long run it wilt save the county y$,
having all services centralized and not having b hire meeting rooms. h woukt also give our
community another meeting/gathering space for community events. !think if would help to make
govt. in West Hawaii more efficient if they had proper offices, networking of computers, etc. a
one-stop shop so the community doesnY get shuffled off to another office five miles down the
road. Sharon Sakai
-1 agree fukl/ty a~hn the Maynr 1 (pink tha( (he Coun(y yrivenunen( needs a s(rony presc~i tcie Jrt
the Wesl side° A Givlc Center would give fhe people on the West Side a feeling of helnngin~ to a
i;ouniy rather (hart being astep-chUd or the Ecut sidC 1 don't thurk that the existing C:OUnfV
crese:;re ~s tarry fair in its presort location. Dennis Knrcycr mm. No. •
File No.
Net. To '
Nef. Hate FE 10 22003
EVERYONE - I agree wdh Dennis' summation of the situation. West Hawaii needs one County
oASce IocatioNnot scattered. Riley Smith
-I feel it is importarrt to have a central place !n West Hawaii for our government, not just a random
grcup of buildings. I think the ed8orial the other day in the paper summed up my feelings. I am for
it ac,:~:L;nk Mayor Kim is on the right hack.
I would concur with the Mayor that having a local presence of the government coalesced in one
place rather that scattered out overlhe area would be bene~idal and essential for several
reasons' Economy of scale...the rental funding and/or budding and facilities cost wou/d be
centralized into one area. 7riis is an investment in the devebpment o/this community Kathy
Damon
-!s there a need... Yes, Is it critical? Probably no, as the functions do exist here somewhere. is it
important.. Yes for the political points brought out by Dennis and Vrcky. What is the impact
Gives us a new center o/commerce raRh of town and should spw more growth in that area.
Lynn WaNOn
The comments above are examples to provide you the substance and essence
of the community's viewpoint and perspective on the issue of the Civic Center in
Kona. These sentiments do indeed mirror the response of the majority of our
citizenship. Even further, we can add there is a general agreement from our
populace, that the County Council meetings should be held in West Hawaii on an
equal basis, at minimum, fifty per cent of the time. If publicized in advance, they
would be well attended.
The i~ona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, in concert with the citizens of West
Hawaii, is in favor of and committed to the realization of a county civic center in
Kona, as part of our ongoing efforts and mission to be an advocate for business
in West Hawaii, encouraging an environment, which enhances the quality of life
and protects our unique life style through proper planning.
Sincerely,
Scott A. Bell
President
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cc: Mayor Harry Kim
Governor Linda Lingle
Ronroccn}a4i~ie Mor{r Inrnin~e+
cc: Mayor Harry Kim
Governor Linda Lingle
Representative Mark Jernigan
Representative Cindy beans
Representative Robert Herkes
Senator Paul Whalen
Senator Lorraine Inouye