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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0220.002 2006-2008 r,.. d,.. .s Jr March 19, 2007 Pete Hoffmann, Chairman And Hawaii County Council Members 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Chairman Hoffman and Members, On behalf of the Merrie Monarch Festival, I want to share my deepest appreciation to the Hawaii County Council for your consideration of leasing a portion of the former Real Property Tax office for our festival headquarters. The location of this potential site would greatly enhance our visibility and efficiency to operate our yearly festival. It would give us an opportunity to better serve our participants, visitors, guests, vendors, and supportors. This central location would eliminate travel time, and provide our festival with a location that will benefit everyone involved in our festival. The Merrie Monarch Festival is an event that takes an entire year to plan. The resolution before the Council speaks of all the reasons why the County of Hawaii should support this effort. The economic impact for the County of Hawaii is tremendous, and yet it is not the sole reason for your consideration. The Merrie Monarch Festival, in many ways, is the Big Island. Our special Hawaiian culture is shared with the entire world through our event. It helps us to remember where we came from and who we are. It teaches us to respect the culture and teaches us to respect our aina. We have done our best throughout the years to help keep the festival affordable so the average person can enjoy our event. We provide financial support for halau's whenever possible, and we do it from the heart. The County of Hawaii support on this lease agreement will go a long way in helping us continue to make the festival affordable for everyone involved. After all, it is not about making money. It's about continuing the legacy of King David Kalakaua, and sharing the art of hula to the world. Thank you very much for your consideration, and we hope that the County Council will support the Merrie Monarch Festival. Aloha, Luana Kawelu 2 2,-p ~ 2 Comm. tJ~ Ref. 7~ Rsf. Dote MAT