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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0094.014 2004-2006 rtV or y,4 FRED HOLSCHUH, M.U. '?J~!-~ ~ ~jV;~ Phone: 961-8264 C'amcilmemAer Fex- 961-8912 ~r~•«.N~iMP CO LINTY CO UNCIL County of Hawai `i 2J ~upuni Street l-Gln, /fawai'i 96720 January 3, 2006 "f O: Mr. Stacy K. Higa, Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council FROM: Fred C. Holschuh, M.D., Councilmember ~ Chair. Human Services and Economic Development Committee RE: Minutes of Site Visits Held To Nonprofit Organizations During the Grant Award Process for Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Attached are the summary minutes of site visits held to two nonprofit agencies who applied for County grant funding for the Fiscal Year 2005-2006. The two agencies, the Laupahoehoe Train Museum and the Volcano's Hiccup Circus, respectively, were new applicants, and the Committee elected to visit their agencies in order to view their programs. Along with the minutes of the interviews held in Hilo, Honoka`a and Kona and of a site visit to the "Three Ring Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Kona, this completes the record of the proceedings of the Committee for the nonprofit grant awards included in the Operating Budget for 2005-2006 (Ordinance OS-86). [ trust these documents are in order. Thank you. FCH/ja Attachments Comm. No. ~~.1~ Ref. To: _ Ref. i:Jat LlllJfl Human Services and Economic Development Committee Site Visit Priday, March I1, 2005 Laupahoehoe'train Museum The Human Services and Economic Development Committee's site visit to the Laupahoehoe Train Museum in order to review the museum's program and budget to help in their consideration of this nonprofit agency's request for County grant funds (Comm. 94), was called to order at 11:00 a.m., by Fred C. Holschuh, M.D., Chair. A"fTENDANCE: Present: Mr. Ered C. Holschuh, M.D., Chair Ms. V irginia Isbell, Member Mr. Bob Jacobson, Member Mr. K. Angel Pilago, Member Absent & Excused: Mr. Stacy Higa, Vice Chair Mr. James Y. Arakaki, Member Mr. Pete Hoffmann, Member Mr. Donald Ikeda, Member Mr. Gary Safarik, Member Also }'resent: Ms. Amy Miwa, Legislative Auditor Assistant Ms. Susan Caseria, Legislative Auditor Assistant Ms. Jeanette Aiello, Council Services Supervisor The site visit began with a walking tour conducted by Lisa Barton, the museum's director, down to the museum's future house for the "train room," which is in the planning to be a location for historical displays and models for the viewing public. The train room has murals painted on two exterior walls by students from Laupahoehoe school. She pointed out the loading platform fronting the museum. The platform, with stairs at either end, runs parallel to the highway and was used to load passengers on and off the train. The train station, no longer in existence, was once located on the strip of lawn adjacent to the platform. The building that houses the museum was formerly the station master's residence. The group then proceeded to the museum, where Ms. Barton was joined by Mr. Doug Conners, Treasurer, Ms. Annie Bedford, Train Museum Volunteer, and Page l HS&EDC Site Visit March 1 1. 2005 Laupahoehoe Train Museum Mr. Stan Heggland, President of the Museum's Board of Directors. A presentation was made to the members via laptop computer and PowerPoint software (see Comm. 94.6). In 1997, the Museum began with the State and County sponsored Heritage Corridor project. The Hilo/Hamakua Corridor community chose the Museum as their focal point. The grounds were cleared and landscaped, and the buildings were renovated by volunteers, and its 501(C)(3) nonprofit status was established. The volunteers have kept the museum open for seven years while restoring an area of the train track known as the "wye," or switching area, in which students helped as well in laying rail, pounding stakes and spreading gravel. A 1930 diesel locomotive from Haina, Maui has been restored and is running and adds to the visitor experience. Ms. Barton proceeded to explain the Museum's outreach programs, in which marry community activities have sprouted as a result of grants received and volunteer input to the Museum. Among the programs administered by the Museum are the Car Seat Inspection Station, procurement and installation of playground equipment for local schools, improvements to the walking trail to Laupahoehoe Point via funds from the Healthy Hawaii Initiative, Mo' Betta Together, Senior Safety Programs, substance abuse programs through State Incentive and Meth Initiative grant funding, and the O`okala Community Forest program, which is a 40 acre piece of State owned land which is being used for a model demonstration forest for the community. The museum has funded keiki car seat inspection stations around the island through the Department of Health's Injury Prevention Program, and has developed plans and found funding for new playgrounds for three public schools. Through the Healthy Ilawai`i Initiative, easy access steps and a diving board were installed at the Laupahoehoe Pool for programs for the local youth and seniors. Laupahoehoe Point, being the main recreational area for the community, has been an important aspect of the Museum's focus. The Museum, with help from local community volunteers and through its youth programs, cleared one and a half miles of the old Mamalahoa Highway from the Museum down to the point as a walking trail. The Museum is working with County officials to make the trail an emergency access road. The Museum obtained volunteer and County assistance to build an historic informational kiosk at the point. Healthy Hawaii Initiative funding was used to install a sand volleyball court and horseshoe pits in the playground for the community's use. At the O`okala Community Forest Demonstration project, which was funded though a $75,000 forest stewardship grant with the State, the Museum is coordinating diversified experimental plantings by students from local schools. Students involved in the project continue to clear, plant and maintain the area. Page 2 HS&EDC Site Visit March l 1, 2005 Laupahoehoe Train Museum The concept of the program is to instill a sense of pride and accomplishment in the participants, and to provide a healthy alternative for after school and weekend activities. Currently, there has been an area planted with Native Hawaiian hardwoods, with other ideas planned for the future. The stewardship is in the fourth or fifrh year. Ms. Isbell stated that the Laupahoehoe Museum was more than just a museum, it is the center of community activities in the area. She expressed commendation to the directors for the work of the Museum. She mentioned that State Soil and Water Conservation District funding might be available for the O`okala Forest Demonstration project. She's aware of other projects funded in this way which are also educating children through the demonstration. Mr..lacobson asked if the Museum was asking for aone-time funding for their program or if they would re-apply in future years. Ms. Barton stated that the outreach programs are taking the focus away from the museum and they have had difficulty continuing with the improvements therein. They often have visitors who drop in for tours and have to time in the programs they administer within the community. Mr. Conners states that a goal would be for the outreach programs to bring back funding and time to the Train Museum. Ms. Barton and Mr. Conners went on to explain some of the history of the funding the museum has received and the outcome and requirements of receiving funding. As a requirement of the corridor funding, the Museum was forced to create a paved parking lot with the required amount of stalls for visitors. Mr. Conners explained that they have one part-time employee through a State Senate grant, and another part-time person who was hired for another program who is working as a museum docent. Mr. Pilago expressed the need for the Museum to combine in their grant request value-based activities with the economic reality. He stated that the investment in dollars needs to be reflected in economic outcomes for the community. He stated the need to see value-based initiatives building the community and the quality of life. Mr. Conners and Ms. Barton stated they had pondered this concern and were struggling how to show how the investment was building the community economically, as the reward so far has been just bringing the community together to build programs and activities to participate in. Mr. Pilago stated this was good, as this is building the community and enhancing the quality of life in the area. He stated that Deputy Manager Peter Hendricks in Kona is working with the community there to create formulas to document this aspect of grant funding. Page 3 HS&EDC Site Visit March 11, 2005 Laupahoehoe Train Museum Ms. Barton explained that the Museum has applied to be involved in MAPS, Museums' Assessment Program, which is an agency to provide support to established museums throughout the nation. They have joined, and have taken suggestions from them and are using them as a tool to build their museum. They had to be open for five years to be eligible to join the program. She stated that another tool was their website, which had generated interest and information from various sources; however, due to unknown technical difficulties, their site crashed, and they have to get their website up and running. The main focus of the request for funding for the Laupahoehoe Train Museum is in order to hire part-time workers to run the Museum so that Ms. Barton can have more time to enhance the outreach programs in the community. The Museum is struggling to continue the improvements, while providing a rewarding experience for visitors. With the proposed employees to staff the Museum, Ms. Barton feels that there will be more opportunity to finish the improvements to the museum while enhancing their many outreach programs. Upon closing, members stated they were impressed with the power of the Museum's team and praised them highly for their work in building the community. fhe site visit dispersed at 11:40 a.m.. and the group proceeded out to the train track to have pennies compressed by "Rusty," the train engine from Haina. ~ ~ Council Services Supervisor Approved: Fred C. Holschuh, M.D., Chair Human Services and Economic Development Committee Page 4 Human Services and Economic Development Committee Site Visit Friday, March 11, 2005 Hawai`i's Volcano Circus 12-7105 Kamoamoa Homestead Road Pahoa, Hawaii 7"he Human Services and Economic Development Committee's site visit to the headquarters of Hawai'i's Volcano Circus in order to review their program and budget for consideration of this nonprofit agency's request for County grant funds (Comm. 94), was commenced at 2:30 p.m., at the above address in Seaview Estates near Kehena Beach. ATTENllANCE: Present: Ms. Virginia Isbell, Member Mr. Bob Jacobson, Member (came later) Mr. Gary Safarik, Member (came later) Absent & Excused: Mr. Fred C. Holschuh, Chair Mr. Stacy Higa, Vice Chair Mr. James Y. Arakaki, Member Mr. Pete Hoffmann, Member Mr. llonald Ikeda, Member Mr. K. Angel Pilago, Member Also Present: Ms. Kathy Hirayama, Special Assistant to the Council Chairman Ms. Amy Miwa, Legislative Auditor Assistant Ms. Susan Caseria, Legislative Auditor Assistant Ms. Jeanette Aiello, Council Services Supervisor Members of Hawai`i's Volcano Circus present: Mr. Grant Ellis, Director Ms. Irene Ellis, Performer Mr. Eric Marantz, Stage Designer Ms. "Shako" Margaret Martin, Performer Ms. Laurie Saarinen, Bookkeeper Page 1 HS&EDC Site Visit Hawai`i's Volcano Circus March 11, 2005 The site visit began in the parking area, where Mr. Ellis described his hope for a new building to house a headquarters for the many programs coordinated by his organization. He plans the building to be a combined training and rehearse area. He mentioned the building would also contain a certified kitchen to be used by the residents of the grounds and the students and performers. The group was led to the current training and rehearse area, a large tarp coy ered stage area where several training programs take place as well as rehearsing for community events. He directed the group's attention to large stage props including a whale on wheels used in the performances. Also, mural being painted by volunteers in the program is stored in this area. Mr. Ellis conducted the group to a seating area to view a short DVD presentation of the mission and events of the circus. The video showed various performances island-wide done by the circus, and provided comments from performers. He passed out DVD copies of their gala event held in Leilani Estates recently (see Comm. 94.7). The land in Seaview Estates in lower Puna is known as Belly Acres, and consists of 12 acres purchased in 1987. The Circus was incorporated in ] 987, and has been a nonprofit agency since 1992. It consists of 35 performing artists, teachers and workers such as Mr. Marantz and other artists who help with the stage, costumes and props. The front of the property has been lefr in open space for the future training headquarters, for which the Circus has been successful in gathering a majority of the funds (projected cost is $750,000) to build with volunteer labor. The building permit has been approved, and the center is a major improvement for which the Circus is striving. The grant funding for which the Circus is applying is intended to be used &~r their many programs within the community. There is cost involved in the training programs, clubs and events they coordinate. In having these funds to help run the programs, they hope to further add to the funds for the envisioned Circus center. Mr. Ellis mentioned some of the programs, in which some 250 children are involved in. He stated they are involved in the Shattered Dreams program at Pahoa High, an alcohol prevention program; they are involved with Pahoa Head Start; they have a popularjuggling club. Friday is training day at the compound. They have various training sessions throughout the day. In addition, they often have simultaneous events happening within the community. The group, led by Mr. Ellis, went to their cars and drove to the top of the property to view the current training headquarters, which also doubles as Mr. Ellis' home. First the group toured an original building on the land, which is currently holding the Circus's supply of costumes. He stated that due to the condition of the building, the costumes have to be moved outside on sunny days to try to prevent mildew; Circus members also inventory and inspect the costumes regularly and make necessary repairs or maintenance. Page 2 HS&EDC Site Visit Hawai`i's Volcano Circus March 11, 2005 Mr. Ellis took the group into his home to show them the training equipment used for various programs. There is a trapeze hanging from his ceiling. He stated he knows world famous performers from other countries who he asks to stop in to conduct training seminars for the children. He recently had Belgium trapeze artists at the compound for a training camp, and the training was held on the trapeze units he constructed in his living room. The mats below the trapeze are used for the acrobat training as well. Mr. Safarik asked how the $30,000 being requested from the Circus would enhance the program. Mr. Ellis replied reiterated need for volunteers, the lack of proper training and rehearse areas for the program, and the need for storage for props, equipment and costumes. He also stated that if County grant funds were awarded to his organization, it may provide credibility with lenders for further funding towards the future training headquarters. Mr. Ilis explained that he did receive a $ ] 0,000 grant from the communit} oriented grants at Research and Development. Mr. Safarik also stated that they were in receipt of a $5,000 grant through the Prosecutor's Office and the Weed and Seed program. Mr. Jacobson asked if the money being requested in this grant application would be used for staff wages or materials for training and events. Mr. Ellis stated the funding would be for staff as most materials were donated and/or made with donated labor. For the 250 children in the project, there are approximately 120 families involved. HICCUP Circus stands for Hawaii Island Community Circus Unity Project. When projects are commenced by the Circus program and another entity has continued a program, the Circus is glad to see it continue in another venue. The fact that it continues is the important part to Circus coordinators, not who is coordinating the program. Mr..lacobson asked if there was any charge to families for their clubs, camps and training programs. Mr. Ellis stated there is no charge for the programs, but for their two major performances a year, there is a $7 dollar charge for adults and a $2 dollar charge for children. These proceeds have helped to secure funding for the future building. Mc I?Ilis explained that the organization has 90 workshops ongoing, which will culminate in their annual performances to be held on November 18 and 19. No fees are charged for the workshops, and there will be a nominal ticket prices for each performance. At the end of the visit, an aspiring performer joined the group, having been dropped of by her father. Her name was Phoenix, a child of approximately nine Pagc 3 HS&EDC Site Visit Hawai`i's Volcano Circus March ll, 2005 or ten years of age. With the assistance of Mr. Ellis, she entertained the group with various acrobatics and some trapeze poses. I~he group left Mr. Ellis' home and walked downstairs to view some of the equipment stored under the carport, consisting of unicycles, stilts and various other circus equipment. The site visit dispersed at 3:40 p.m. ~(A>r~. L(ut~ Council Services Supervisor Approved: y ~ r Fred C. FIolschuh, M.D., Chair Human Services and Economic Development Committee Page 4