HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.052 2008-2010Yoshimoto, J
From: Richard Crowe [rcrowe @hubble.uhh.hawaii.edu]
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 4:02 PM
To: J S Yoshimoto
Subject: RE: Hawaii County Band gets "unfunded"
Dear Councilman Yoshimoto,
Thank you for responding and keeping me informed. Your consideration of this important
issue would be greatly appreciated. If there is any need or opportunity to provide oral
testimony before the Council, be sure to let me know. I'm sure that many supporters would
do so given the chance.
Aloha, Richard
On Mon, 1 Mar 2010, J S Yoshimoto wrote:
> Aloha Dr. Crowe:
> • Thank you for sharing your concerns about the Hawaii County Band. The
> Mayor will be submitting the budget to the Hawaii County Council on March 1, 2010.
> Thereafter, the Hawaii County Council has the opportunity to amend the
> budget and make any necessary changes. Please be assured that I will
> consider your concerns as we review the Budget. I£ you have any other
> additional information you would like to share with us, please do not
> hesitate to contact me.
> Mahal°,
> J Yoshimoto
> Council Chair
> Original Message
> From: Richard Crowe [mailto :rcrowe @hubble.uhh.hawaii.edu]
> Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 6:04 PM
> To: J Yoshimoto
> Subject: Hawaii County Band gets "unfunded"
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> Dear Councilman Yoshimoto, `y c7
> • I have played clarinet in the Hawaii County Band for 22+ years and 0 )
> before that in the West Hawaii Band for 2 years. Our previous Mayor
> Harry Kim and Parks and Recreation Director Pat Engelhard were proud
> supporters of the Band and publicly declared that fact at every
> opportunity. The Hawaii County Band is probably the best such group in
> the State of Hawaii, and I have heard knowledgeable individuals say
> that our Band compares favorably to similar groups around the country.
> The music we play is diverse, including classical, Broadway, jazz and
> blues, pop, Hawaiian, and of course march music. Basically, we can
> play almost anything that has been arranged for band. The County Band
> has been around for 127 years (longer than Hawaii County, I would
> add). Wendell Leite has been a continuous member for more than half
> that time (now 64 years - he joined the County Band in 1946). Our
> current director Paul Arceo is an excellent conductor; in fact, he was
> given an award by the County in 2009 as a Manager of the Year. Several band members
(including me) play in the UH Hilo Orchestra.
> The decision announced yesterday to cut the Band (as of 7/1/2010) was
> made by administrators that are not supportive of the arts and who
> have never attended a County Band concert (the latter was admitted by
> Deputy Director Clayton Honma at a rehearsal last Thursday night). (l S
Comm. No.
Ref. To:
Ref. Date
> They were unable to adequately explain why this cut is being made and
> what other services are also being reduced. They did not consider
> alternatives, such as furloughs or pay cuts for band members. They did
> not have figures or data available, and could not give clear, direct
> answers to questions posed to them. It was evident that they are
> inexperienced and have no institutional memory. This decision appears
> to be a knee -jerk reaction, and has clearly not been made in
> consultation with members of the community. The band's budget is
> barely 1.2% of the P &R budget, and yet it is the only program that has
> been cut by P &R at the present time. It is pathetic and ridiculous
> that this unique and valuable service to the community is being
> singled out by administrators who have no connection to past traditions, and who don't
seem to understand what they are doing.
> Band members are paid minimally for their services, yet many of them
> would play for less, if necessary. However, unfunding the band
> completely will likely rule out this option. After July 1, 2010, there
> will be no more special parade music (including parades in West
> Hawaii, at which the band performs), no more 4th of July concerts,
> featuring the 1812 Overture accompanying the fireworks, no more
> instrumental Hawaiian music at the Kamehameha Day flag- draping
> ceremony, and no more patriotic music at Veterans' ceremonies
> (Veterans Day, Memorial Day, etc.), not to mention the monthly concerts at the Bandstand
across from the Farmers' Market.
> IMHO, this area will not be quite as "nice [a] place to live" (quoting
> ex -Mayor Kim) as it is now if the Hawaii County Band's music is silenced.
> Mahalo nui loa, Richard
> See also these articles for additional information about this decision:
> http : / /hawaiitribune - herald.com/ articles /2010 /02 /27 /local_news /loca10l
> txt
> http: / /www.hawaiiweblog.com /2010 /02/25 /hawaii- county band - on - chopping
> block
> • http:/ /www.bigislandchronicle.com / ?p= 12642 #comment - 26574
> "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness."
> Richard A. Crowe, Ph.D.
Telephone: 808 - 974 -7744 or 961 -5643
Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aina i ka pono.
The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
Richard A. Crowe
Professor of Astronomy and Physics
Astronomer, 'Imiloa Astronomy Center
University of Hawaii - Hilo, HI 96720
Telephone: 808 - 974 -7744 or 969 -9766
Email: rcrowe @hubble.uhh.hawaii.edu
Alternative Email: crowe @hawaii.edu
http : / /uhunix2.its.hawaii.edu:1749/
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