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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.080 2008-2010Yoshimoto, J From: Gloria Sampaia [glo_samp @hotmail.com] Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 9:35 PM To: dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us; dikeda @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; cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: The Hawaii County Band Dear Mayor Kenoi and Hawaii County Council: My father came to Hawaii in 1946 to work for the sugar plantation. In his lifetime, he had the wonderful opportunity to play the alto saxaphone for the Hawaii County Band in the 1970s throughout the early 1990s and still is so very proud of this professional band as he and I continue to watch and listen to their music. Please try to find funds for the hard working band members so that today's children of Hawaii will remember this special band and share their memories with the next generation. Please do not lose this island's very important historical musical dynasty. The Department of Parks and Recreation has decided not to fund the Hawaii County Band next fiscal year which means the band will cease operations on June 30, 2010. The band has served the island of Hawaii with loyalty and pride since 1883 as a part of the Hawaiian Monarchy, the Republic of Hawaii, the Territory of Hawaii, and the State of Hawaii. Thus, the Hawaii County Band is the oldest entity in the county government and is being eliminated because of the budget. I am urging you to not allow this to happen by finding a way to fund the band. The band's budget is ONLY 1.3% of the Parks and Recreation total budget which means the band's budget is very, very small in the total budget of the County of Hawaii. What is really disturbing was that P &R Assistant Director Honma admitted that furloughs or pay cuts weren't even considered. The Hawaii County Band was founded in 1883 by Joaquin and Jules Carvalho, who were Portuguese immigrants and originally named the band the Hilo Portuguese Band. Later the group was known as the Hilo Band and following the overthrow of the monarchy, the Hawaii County Band. The Hawaii County Band provides live and appropriate music at parades, ceremonies, community events and concerts. The band services the entire county and proudly represents the government of the County of Hawaii. For 127 years, the Hawaii County Band has been a contributor to the rich, cultural heritage of Hawaii, In today's complex society, we need, more than ever, the diversion and therapy of music. Please do not let it end now - let the band play on. We need the Hawaii County Band. Thank you. Sincerely, Gloria Casil Sampaia Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now. 3/8/2010 Comm. No. Ref. To; Ref. Dote Page 1 of 1 0 CD C.0 1' R22 01