HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0021.130 2002-2004r
rtea
Harry Kim
Mayor
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
RE:
County of Hawaii
DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
25 Aupuni Street, Room 219 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252
(808) 961-8366 • Fax (808) 935-1205
E-mail: chresdev@intetpac.net
March 12, 2004
James Y. Arakaki Council Chair and
Council Members
Jane H. Testa, Director
FINAL REPORT
Name of Grant Program:
Federal or State Grantor:
County Grantee Department or Agency:
Grant No. (IF KNOWN):
County Revenue & Expenditure Account Numbers:
Amount of Grant:
Amount of County Match:
Jane H. Testa
Director
Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii
State of Hawaii -Hawaii Tourism Authority
Department of Research and Development
revenue: 3305.30; exp.: 010-161-5163.02
$40,000
$0.00
Grant Period (Commencement & Completion): January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2003
Goals: Provide services related to assisting visitors victimized by crime and other
adversities while on the Big Island.
Objectives: Contracted Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii, East and West Hawaii Chapters to
raise the consciousness of the importance of tourism to the Big Island while
assisting visitors who have been victims of crime and/or other adversities.
Outcomes or Results: see attached reports
comm. No. ZLi_N—
Ref. To:
Ref. Date
JIM.
Fonn
6M—
Form FR 6/01
Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii
East Hawaii Chapter
Semi Annual Report
July — December 2003
This report addresses the scope of services requirement set forth between the Visitor
Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH), East Hawaii Chapter, and the State of Hawaii through
the Hawaii Tourism Authority. In accordance with the agreement with VASH West
Hawaii and the Department of Research and Development for January through December
2003, this report is respectfully submitted.
1. Table 1: The number of referrals received during the six month period was 53
with total assisted 80. Adding this to the adjusted figures from the January to
June 2003 the report shows year end totals to be 100 cases received in 2003 and
139 victims assisted. YTD shows that 78.0% of referrals came from the Hawaii
County Police Department, 8.0% from hospitals, and 7.0% from the Prosecutor's
Office and the remaining 7.0% from hotels, victims, and other VASH
organizations.
2. The number of visitors served by county is set out in Table 3. Table 3 indicated
that 83.5% of our cases came from the USA, 1.4% from Japan, 7.2% from
Europe, and 7.9% from Other Countries.
3. Table 4 indicates the type of crimes that have been committed. 54.22% of these
crimes involve Unauthorized Entry into Motor Vehicles, 13.25% other(accident,
death, etc.), 12.05% theft, 4.82% Purse Snatches, 7.23% Robbery, and the
remaining 8.43% Assault, Burglary, one assault and one Negligent Homicide.
4. The result of each case is kept in the files of the East Hawaii Chapter and is
available upon request. Victims appreciate the services of VASH. The Mayor and
his administration, the Prosecutor's office and Victim's Assistance Unit staff, the
staff of the Social Workers and the Case Management Department of the Hilo
Medical Center, the Police Department and other community members have
acknowledged the benefits of the program and have expressed their complete
support.
5. Partnerships formed since we have been in operation continue to be strong.
The East Hawaii Chapter has been in operation for three years. The community has been
very supportive of our efforts and we feel that we have been able to raise the
consciousness of the importance of tourism to the Island while assisting visitors who
have been victims of crime and or.other adversities.
The East Hawaii Chapter is now operating as a division of VASH West Hawaii. The
checking account has been closed and remaining funds were deposited in the VASH
West Hawaii account and financial activities are administered by its Executive Director.
VASH West Hawaii retains 10% of the HTA Grant for these services. East Hawaii funds
are restricted to East Hawaii VASH activities. The West Hawaii VASH Board of
Directors and Executive Director have been outstanding in their support of the East
Hawaii Division of VASH. East Hawaii VASH continues to have its own advisory
Board and the Board meets monthly to support the East Hawaii Director. The advisory
board remains a strong ally of the VASH program and contributes greatly to the success
of the program in East Hawaii.
Respectfully submitted:
July 2003
From: VASH West Hawai'i
To: Hawaii County
Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA)
r, - 1 n i rr
1 J
Six Month Report for period—January 1 to June 30, 2003
The Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai'i, West Hawai'i Chapter (WHI) began operations on July 18,
2001. As requested by the Oahu -based VASH program, the chapter began the process of
incorporation in July 2002. On January 15, 2003 VASH West Hawai'i received a 501 (c)(3) Letter of
Determination from the IRS. Formal ties were severed with the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii
on February 1, 2003.
During the past six months, VASH West HI received no State of Hawai'i (HTA) funds.
Fortunately we had Visitor Industry Charity Walk (VICW) funds received in September 2002 in
reserve. This allowed VASH West HI to continue operation of its visitor assistance program
without interruption. In calendar year 2004, however, VASH West Hawai'i is ineligible to apply
for VICW due to a one-year 'sit out' rule after three consecutive years of funding.
HTA Statistical Tables 1-4
The attached statistical tables 1-4 detail the number of visitor incidents reported to VASH West
Hawai'i (VWHI), the number and resident country of those assisted, and the types of crimes that
occurred. During the six-month period ending June 30, 2003, VWHI received 157 referrals
compared to eighty-nine (89) for the same period last year. Over ninety-five percent were
referred from the Hawai'i County Police Department. The remaining referrals included four (4)
from hospitals, two (2) by the victims themselves, and one (1) from the Big Island Visitors
Bureau. A total of 326 victims (almost double the number served during the same period in 2002)
received assistance from WHI volunteers. These numbers are reflected in the 'victims served'
categories in the accompanying reports.
The majority of visitors, some 91.7% helped by VASH WHI were from the mainland USA. This
represents an increase of almost of 17% over the number of US citizens helped last year. The total
number of foreign visitors assisted dropped from 22 to 13 during this time period. VWHI helped
8 Japanese, 4 Canadians and 1 from Australia.
Unauthorized entry into motor vehicles doubled to 43 in the first half of calendar year 2003, (up
from 21 this time last year). The 43 incidents accounted for 27.39% of the total during the period.
Theft of property (37 incidents) during the six -months ending June 30, 2003 represented 23.57%
of our crime against tourists. There were also 23 or 14.64% in the 'other category.' The unusually
high number in April can be attributed to a mule wagon train accident in Waipio Valley where 9
people were thrown from the cart when the improperly tethered mules took off and overturned
the wagon.
In addition our guests experienced 7 burglaries, at least half while the victims were in their units,
1 sexual assault (on a 5 year old girl),1 robbery, 1 terroistic threatening incident, 2 auto thefts, 5
auto accidents, 1 missing person (later found), 2 medical emergencies and 1 negligent homicide
when a distracted motorist veered to the side of the road hitting a bicyclist.
VWHI assisted the families of the bicyclist and another visitor who collapsed while golfing
through our Emergency Bereavement Support Team. This team, with volunteers trained in grief
counseling, networks with regular VWHI staff who provided logistical assistance to these
families.
In addition, lost items (33 incidents) represented 21% of the referrals during this time period.
While these incidents don't always require VASH assistance, we are notified by the police and in
many of the referrals, IDs had been lost. VASH was able to assist these visitors to secure
replacement ID or police reports allowing them to return home without hassle.
Summary of Key VASH West Hawai'i Activities
The West Hawai'i Advisory Committee (now the VASH West Hawai'i Board) meets bimonthly.
Here is a summary of the key VASH West HI activities during this six-month period:
1) In an effort to expand VASH West Hawai'i services in the districts of North Kohala, the
executive director met with representatives at North Kohala Hospital, the North Kohala PD
and fire stations.
2) The executive director returned to Kapaau a month later to conduct an inservice for North
Kohala police officers.
3) Gave a presentation to the Rotary Club of North Hawai'i.
4) Three inservices for Kona District police officers were held.
5) Three inservices were presented to officers of Waimea, South Kohala and Waikoloa.
6) Received 501 (c)(3) letter of determination from IRS, the final hurdle to establishment of
VASH West Hawai'i as a separate entity. Completed administrative tasks including
preparation of organizational and board manuals.
7) Met with Hawaii County Research & Development staff to set up funding contract as conduit
for HTA funding of Hawaii Island VASH programs. Completed administrative tasks, and
secured tax clearances and necessary notarized signatures.
8) Worked with Kona PD Captain John Dawrs and Police Chief Mahuna to set up a petty cash
fund to return recovered property to VASH visitor victims.
9) Networked with airport manager, TSA manager and Kona airline personnel to gather input
for proposed victim ID form. Form is in final review form.
10) To support the Visitor Industry Charity Walk (VICW) , a major contributor ($10,000) to
VASH West HI in 2002, VASH WHI recruited 44 walkers/ runners to participate in the 25th
annual Hawai'i Island Charity Walk A total of $1890 was raised and donated in VASH West
HI's name. This was an increase from 20 walkers and $1255 raised last year.
11) VASH West Hawai'i co -hosted an after-hours event for volunteers, board members and
supporters. Out of town guests included Alberta Cinco Dobbe, East Hawaii VASH Director;
Jane Testa (Hawaii County R&D Director); Andy Levin (HI County Mayor's Office), Jay
Kimura (HI County Prosecutor), Mitch Roth, deputy prosecuting attorney from Hilo; Warren
Ferreira and Jim Fulton who both represented the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii in
Honolulu.
12) Developed a 13 -page media kit to be used to promote VASH West Hawai'i.
13) Attended an all -day Financial Management for Nonprofits program which highlighted
changes in the revised nonprofit corporation law, and changes that need to be made to have
proper insurance, accounting and legal issues covered.
14) Completed a forty -page application to VICW for 2003 funding consideration.
15) Solicited and distributed $4480 in goods and services to victims, and $1848 in donations to
offset administrative expenses. In addition, VASH West HI also has an additional $215 in gift
certificates in inventory for use with visitor victims.
16) VASH West HI received two cash contributions totaling $150, one from a grateful California
couple, and the other from a Kamuela resident that is very supportive of our program.
17) Submitted a matching grant request to Wal-Mart Corporation and a direct visitor assistance
funding request to Rotary Club of Kona.
The VASH West Hawai'i Chapter program is operating well, and is well received by all those
with whom we share our mission. Bankers, merchants, residents and others appreciate our effort,
and are pleased to hear that someone is sharing Aloha and helping visitors who are victims while
vacationing here.
Respectfully submitted,
MaryE en Smith
Executive Director
VASH West Hawai'i
,�
January 2004
From: VASH West Hawai'i
To: Hawaii County and the Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA)
Semi -Annual Report for Period—July 1 to December 31,
JAN 2
0
1
VASH West Hawai'i has had a very busy 2' half of 2003. The referrals to our organization
increased substantially. Referrals during the second half were 244 or 55.41/o ahead of the 157
referrals during the first half of 2003. Case summary sheets on each case are kept in the files of
VASH West Hawai'i and are available for review upon request.
HTA Statistical Tables 14
The statistical tables 1-4 detail the number of visitor incidents reported to VASH West Hawai'i
(VWHI), the number and resident country of those assisted, and the types of crimes that occurred
During the six-month period ending December 31, 2003, VWHI received 244 referrals compared
to 103 for the same period last year. That represents an increase of 137% over the second half of
2002. During this same time period, a total of 487 victims received assistance from WHI
volunteers, compared to 211, a 131% increase during July to December 2002. VASH WHI
received over 91% of its referrals from the Hawai'i County Police Department.
The majority of visitors, some 86% helped by VASH WHI were from the mainland USA. The
remaining 35 were foreign visitors and included 13 Japanese, 8 Canadians, 3 from the
Netherlands, and the others from France, Germany, Guam, Ireland, UK, New Zealand and
Switzerland.
Unauthorized entry into motor vehicles increased 296% this quarter (there were 103 incidents
compared to 26 during the second six months of last year). Theft of property (39 incidents) during
the six-month period increased 95% from 20 the same time last year. There were 4 robberies
during the period compared to 0 in all of 2002. There were 15 auto accidents during the second
half compared to just 3 in 2002. Several of these were serious enough to have 3 visitors airlifted to
Queens. VASH West HI asked for and received assistance from VASH Oahu with 2 of the injured
who really appreciated the visits and assistance. VASH West Hawaii has been able to reciprocate
by helping visitors victimized in Honolulu who later headed to the Big Island.
VWHI's Emergency Bereavement Support Team.assisted the families of seven visitor deaths
while vacationing here. Two of these victims were airlifted from cruise ships passing by the
island and later died at Kona Community Hospital. The remainder included two who died as a
result of motor vehicle accidents, one drowning victim, one who suffered a coronary hile
snorkeling, and one who was terminally ill and died here. This team, with volunteers trained in
grief counseling, networks with regular VWHI staff that provide logistical assistance to these
families.
Summary of Key VASH West Hawai'i Activities
Here is a summary of the key VASH West HI activities during the last six months:
V.
1) VASH West Hawaii contracted with Hawaii County to accept funds for both the Visitor
Aloha Society of Hawaii program in Hilo, and VASH West Hawaii.
2) VASH West HI has contracted with the Executive Director of the Hilo Visitor Aloha program
to provide financial services to them.
3) VASH West Hawai'i secured Directors and Officers Insurance and General Liability
Insurance for their organization, and its coverage extends to the East Hawaii program as
well.
4) Monthly inservices for Kona District and South Kohala District police officers were held.
VASH West HI also met with the new police captain of North and South Kohala District
stations.
5) Networked with the Hawaii County Police Department to finalize a lost and stolen
identification form to be used by police. Approval of this form ended a two-year effort by
VASH to gain police department acceptance. The police chief acknowledged that this form
enables their officers to provide a statement of reported lost or stolen identification without
impacting or altering their normal procedures and protocol.
6) Attended an'Aftermath for Mass Violence' Workshop sponsored by the HI County
Prosecutors office. It was a good opportunity to network with other nonprofit organizations
and government agencies that provide services to both visitors and residents.
7) Attended an all -day Fundraising Skills and Strategies Workshop presented by the Hawaii
County Council.
8) Accepted a $1000 matching grant from Wal-Mart Corporation. VASH West HI also received
individual dash contributions totaling $438.
9) Receive notification that the Big Island Visitors Bureau has designated some of the proceeds
from its 2003 golf tournament as seed money for a visitor prevention education committee
being spearheaded by VASH West HI. Program and receipt of funds to occur in 2004.
10) VASH West Hawaii provided approximately $80 to the Police Department for the postage
costs of returning recovered property to visitor victims at their homes on the mainland and in
Japan.
11) During this semi-annual period, VASH West HI solicited and distributed $2367 in goods and
services to victims, and $2202 in donations to offset administrative expenses.
The VASH West Hawai'i program is operating well, and is well received by all those with whom
we share our mission. Our residents are pleased to hear that someone is sharing Aloha and
helping visitors who are victims while vacationing here.
Respectfully submitted,
"_,� UCXL, <,�
Mary Elleh Smith
Executive Director