HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.074 2008-2010•
Yoshimoto, J
From: Chelsea Pacheco [pacheco_gir113 @hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 2:43 PM
To: dikeda @co.hawaii.hi.us; dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us; jyoshimoto @co.hawaii.hi us;
donishi @co.hawaii.hi.us; enaeole @co.hawaii hi.us; genriques @co.hawaii.hi.us;
bford @co.hawaii.hi.us; kgreenwell @co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffmann @co.hawaii.hi.us,
coh mayor @co. hawaii. h i. us
Subject: Hawaii County Band
00
Chelsea Pacheco
--t_.; Z C
17 Wawai Loop.
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 -1725
pacheco_gir113 @hotmail.com -
cc
To the Hawaii County Council and Mayor Billy Kenoi,
3/8/2010
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Page 1 of 2
My name is Chelsea Pacheco. I'm currently a junior at Hilo High School. I'm a percussionist in the
Hilo High School Viking Band under the direction of Mr. Armando Mendoza. Music has and will
always be a huge part in my life and to the rest lives of the band members; not just the HHS Band, but
all the students in band as well.
I am aware that the Department of Parks and Recreation has decided to cut funding for the Hawaii
County Band next fiscal year, therefore the band will be ceasing their operations on June 30th, 2010.
This band has loyally served the island of Hawaii with much aloha and pride since 1883 as a part of the
Hawaiian Monarchy, the Republic of Hawaii, the Territory of Hawaii, and the State of Hawaii.
Therefore, this band has been around way before Hawaii became the 50th state in the United States and
is now being eliminated because of budget cuts. I am pleading and urging that you find a way to not let
any of this happen and fund the band. I'm aware that the band's budget is only a mere 1%, if not less, of
the Parks & Recreations total budget, which means that the band's budget is very minute in the total
budget of the County of Hawaii. It upsets me that furloughs or pay cuts weren't even considered while
making this decision.
Music contributes to personal development in many ways sports and other "extracurricular" activities
cannot. There has already been budget cuts in schools funding in the areas of music and art, but not
physical sports. Growing up watching the parades and seeing the bands march, there has been a
significant decrease in the amount of people participating. Music, like sports, encourages individual
excellence, and builds character and qualities that lasts a lifetime. I guess when looking at a budget,
these things don't really matter to you right? Why does music get a 100% cut, but "other" Parks
programs do not.
Sure, nothing is stopping the band from playing after this June 30th cut -off, but I don't think any of us
realize how much of a asset this band is to the rest of the community. From cutting funds off, it's not
gonna be the "Hawaii County Band" anymore, it'll just be a "private group of people playing together ".
Funding for the HCB goes to things such as covering for transportation, purchasing music, and salary
for both Mr. Arceo and the group of talented musicians that play under his direction. Also, 1 believe
most the musicians own their own instruments, and the money that goes towards the maintaining and
up- keeping of them comes from their own pockets. Why not discuss other ways such as pay reductions
Comm. No.
Ref. To;
Ref. Dote
or furloughs before taking the line of complete elimination?
Thank You,
Chelsea Pacheco
Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up no_w.
3/8/2010
Page 2 of 2
Regardless of all of this, I believe taking away the Hawaii County Band would affect not only the
community, but the very musicians that play in it. They probably grew up watching the band play and
march in parades. Mr. Armando Mendoza grew up watching his father play in the band. This band has
been a huge contribution to the rich, cultural heritage of Hawaii. I don't know if any of you know how
important this band is to me, music lovers, and this community. In the world we live in today, WE
NEED MUSIC NOW MORE THAN EVER. I'm urging you to please, let the band continue to enrich
us with their music, and PLAY ON.