HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.056 2008-2010Yoshimoto, J o
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From: hohckm @gmail.com on behalf of Heidianne Ho [hoh @hawaii.edu] C)t^j n
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 6:53 PM Zc ('1'1
To: jyoshimoto @co.hawaii.hi.us `" co
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Subject: Save the Hawaii County Band I i r,
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Dear Councilman Yoshimoto, S ° G
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As a resident of the Big Island and a member of the Hawaii County Band, I am writing to
express my extreme disappointment and displeasure with the decision to cut the band that was
made by Mr. Bob Fitzgerald and Mr. Clayton Honma and approved by Mayor Kenoi. I also
wanted to express how insulted I feel by the way in which this whole situation has been handled
to date. Since our inception in 1883, we have served the County and it's people faithfully and
with pride for the past 127 years. To me, that kind of service deserves proper respect.
We have asked many questions of the heads of Parks and Recreation, the Mayor and various
council members, but the responses we get in return are generic emails telling us that we should
be talking to someone else. Our portion of the County's budget is so minute that we can't help
but wonder why we're the only ones being cut, or why Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Flonma
admittedly decided not to consider any options besides completely cutting the band.
We don't just provide live and appropriate music to the public; we also do whatever we can to
enrich the lives of our island's young musicians. With the arts almost completely cut out of the
schools, we are the only program that offers the children of our island a place to grow and
expand their horizons not just in the area of music, but on a personal level as well.
Studies have shown that children with a back ground in music go on to be more successfiil and
better prepared to handle tough situations that life throws at them in adulthood. They gain a
strong sense of what hard work and dedication can achieve and the importance of being able to
use critical thinking skills to better adapt to this ever - changing world. They also develop
healthier, more positive self- images, a stronger sense of personal pride and confidence, as well
as good communication skills to better equip them to stand on their own and assert themselves.
As an employee of Hilo Intermediate School and having worked with students from throughout
the State. I can attest to the fact that these are crucial skills that our students are sorely lacking.
Aside from the benefits we offer the children, we are proud to be a living part of Hilo's history.
An institution that has survived the over throw of the monarchy. the Great Depression, all the
recessions and World Wars, a couple of devastating tsunamis and 9/11 should not be dismissed
so readily. We love what we do and what we represent because we represent Hawaii and we are
proud to spread all the Aloha Spirit Hawaii has to offer. But most of all, we love being able to
see the smiles on the faces of our kupuna every time they hear us play and also being able to
enrich the younger generations so that they will be able to carry on this great legacy long after
we are gone.
It was asked of Deputy Director of Parks and Recreations, Clayton Honma, if he felt, in his
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heart. that what he was doing by deciding to cut the band was right, he said no. Yet. when I
asked him if he felt that saving 127 years of the County's history and one of the last few
remaining links to the Hawaiian Monarchy is worth their estimated fraction of a percent. he also
said no. He did not feel that a fraction of a percent was worth spending to save so much.
Please vote to reverse the decision to cut the County Band. Please help us to continue to serve
our County and do our part in enhancing the lives and futures of our children and kupuna.
I would really appreciate a genuine and honest response, not the cut and paste scripted reply that
so many of the band members have already received. As constituents and fellow county
workers, I believe we deserve at least that much.
Sincerely,
Heidianne Ho
Musician III
I- Iawaii County Band
Department of Parks & Recreation
County of Hawaii
3/8/2010