HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0292.001 2008-2010~ o
May 6, 2009
To: Hawaii County Council
County of Hawaii
From: Morris Kimura, Pres.
Kona 71' Golf Club
Subject: County of Hawaii Golf Subsidy for West Hawaii
Residents.
I am speaking in behalf of a group of golfers in Kona called
the Kona 71' Golf Club. We have been in existence since 1971
as shown by our club name. Our membership is approximately
35 golfers who golf regularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Most of our members are old time Kona residents who are retired
and on fixed income. We have certainly been helped recently
by the County golf subsidy which makes golf affordable and are
most grateful for it.
In fairness to all of the tax paying residents of this
island, the following thoughts are being offered.
I believe the County of Hawaii needs to look at the overall
Parks and Recreation Program.
1. Not all tax payers or residents of this island
uses the County parks and recreation facilities.
2. We need to establish a user fee for all adults
who use County P & R facilities. This should
done in a fair and consistent manner.
a. Cost of lights and maintenance for all ball
fields.
b. Swimming pool - life guard & maintenance
cost. (water, electricty, equipment)
c. Tennis Courts - light and maintenance
d. Beach parks (pavillions) light and
maintenance.
e. Gyms & open courts - light and maintenance
f. Hilo Municipal Golf Course. Rates for adults
should be raised to make the golf course
self sufficient.
g. NO USER FEES for Youth Programs.
The County of Hawaii has in my memory tried to build a
golf course in Kona for the past 30 years or more but has not
been successful. In the late 1960's Bishop Estate offerred
land at Keei for a golf course, but was not acted upon. On
August 6, 1991 we had a groundbreaking ceremony for the Kealakehe
Golf Center. Sadly, that too is no where in sight.
Comm. N . ~ oZ..
Ref. To:
Ref. Uate _ MAY D 6 109
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Looking at our present difficult economic times, I believe
the present golf subsidy program may be the best and most cost
effective answer to meeting the demand for a municipal golf
course in West Hawaii.
I believe a subsidy program should be established for the
golfers who are residents of Kohala, Waikoloa, Waimea, Kona,
and Kau.
1. Residents from these areas should register with
the County and a copy of the registration given
tc the selected golf courses. Golfers *_o be given
an ID card and sign-in every time they play.
Z. west Hawaii golfers - use of subsidy should be
limited to no more than two times per week.
3. Rates paid by West Hawaii golfers should be no
more than those paid at the Hilo Municipal.
There has been a hue and cry over the proliferation of
golf courses in West Hawaii. The use of our natural resources
and possibly even contamination of our shoreline by leeching
fertilizer from the golf courses. I do not know how much
substance these allegations have, but I believe we need to
look at the taxes that we levy on these private golf courses.
A more realistic rate should be established, especially for
those courses not open to the public. I believe a sliding scale
of taxes could be established for these courses based on the
number of local residents who play on their courses. This will
help to generate funds for the County, provide better golf rates
for the residents, and help curb the proliferation of golf
courses. This may help generate the needed funds for the golf
subsidy.