HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1149.003 2004-2006
Testimony in IN SUPPORT of Hawaii County Council Resolutions 498,499,508,525.
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Dear Chairman Higa and Members of the Hawaii County Council. <7
Good Morining, My name is Robert Rhodes.
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I am speaking on behalf of Friends of the Park for the County of Hawaii Trap and
Skeet Range. I am here in support of resolutions 498,499,508,525. These funds for** ~
equipment are very much appreciated.
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I have been privileged, along with others, to join the Friends of the Park program. hrr
1998 working with the Parks and Recreation staff we were able to build two new pavilions at
the trap range. I helped by drawing the plans and getting the required building permits. The
County of Hawaii funded and constructed the new pavilions. We painted the pavilions,
installed the rain gutters and did the final grading. This worked so well that we inquired
about Handicap Improvements at the trap range. Parks and Recreation administration
informed us the range was on Schedule 4. Friends of The Park asked permission to draw
plans and apply to the Disability and Communication Access Board in Honolulu. This was a
means of moving the schedule forward, as one of our shooters was in a wheel chair. Again I
drew the plans. After submittal the plans and application were approved in 2001. Friends of
the Park implemented the restroom improvements to the County Trap and Skeet range. The
County of Hawaii then paved a walkway and a Handicap Parking space at the Trap & Skeet
Range. This effort resulted in the faculity becoming Handicapped Accessible. For this effort
in Sept. 2003,1 was given a Certificate of Appreciation Access Award, presented by County
of Hawaii and The Mayor's Committee on People With Disabilities. This award was really
for Friends of the Park.
Next was the planting of 24 Manila and Solitaire Palm trees for shade and border
separation at the trap range. After plan submittal we obtained permission to acquire the trees
and planting instructions from the Municipal Golf course tree nursery. Then we worked on
planting the palms and Hibiscus, tea plants, croton, and bromeliads. Our beautification
project was a success. These projects are just a few of the many done by Friends of the Park.
This community effort with the County of Hawaii has given us a most pleasant and enjoyable
Parks and Recreation trap and skeet facility.
I have drawn plans and submitted them to the Parks and Recreation Dept. Their
engineers have approved the plans for new equipment installation. Friends of the Park are
prepared to install the equipment when available. The funds requested to replace this
equipment are beyond our means. The only venue for this amount of funding is County
Council appropriation.
By working together The Friends of the Park and the County of Hawaii have brought
forth many needed improvements. We hope to continue this working relationship we have
enjoyed throughout the years. I again ask for your support of the funding resolutions and
thank you for this opportunity to speak today.
Comm. 140.
Ref. Tot PiOt
Ref. Date^Iuy - 200