HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.047 2008-2010Yoshimoto, J
From: Urban [urbcar @cox.net]
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 5:15 PM
To: J S Yoshimoto
Subject: Re: Hawaii County Band
Page 1 of 2
Dear Mr. Yoshimoto:
Thank you for your prompt response to my letter. Yours is the only one I've received at this time.
It's gratifying to learn that you will carefully weigh all factors involved before making a final decision.
While I do appreciate the difficulty of budget balancing. I really believe that the intangible value of the
County Band for outweighs the relatively small annual investment. Hopefully you and the rest of the
council members will concur.
Thank you again for taking the time to respond to my letter.
Urban F. Corvalho
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Original Message Z O
From: J S Yoshimoto - m
To: 'Urban'
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 4:11 PM
Subject: RE: Hawaii County Band Z� f f'
Aloha Urban: ;x: 0
cp
Thank you for sharing your concerns and personal history about the Hawaii County
Band. The Mayor will be submitting the budget to the Hawaii County Council today,
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. If you have any other additional
information you would like to share with us, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mahalo,
J Yoshimoto
Council Chair
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From: Urban [mailto:urbcar @cox.net]
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 4:32 PM
To: Parks _recreation @co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: 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
Subject: Hawaii County Band
Hawaii County
Department of Parks and Recreation,
and County Council.
Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen:
In 1883 my grandfather Jules Corvalho and his brother Joaquin founded what was then referred to as
the Hilo Portuguese Band. I'm sure they never realized what an impact their organization would have in
the 127 eventful years of Hawaiian history that followed. In the 1940s and 50s, my father Urban C. was
(.
3/2/2010
Comm. No. 1
Ref. To:
Ref. Dote �—
3/2/2010
Page 2 of 2
the County Bandmaster. He used talented High.School music students (male and female) in the band to
supplant bandsmen who were drafted for service during World War II and, subsequently, the Korean
Conflict. As a result of their experiences, many of these students went on to pursue careers in music as
performers and /or educators. Returning to Hawaii as music educators, their contributions to the
County's culture and arts cannot be overestimated. As performers they have represented Hawaii in
many of the nation's premier musical organizations including the four major service bands in Washington,
DC. and recording studios in New York and Los Angeles.
While he was bandmaster, my father quite often would get letters from people who had heard the
County Band while visiting the Islands. Without exception, all were very complimentary and expressed
surprise that Hawaii County had such an outstanding musical organization. Many would ask for a concert
schedule so they could plan their next visit in time to hear the band again. I personally plan my visits to
Hilo based upon the band's concert schedule. The current Bandmaster, Paul Arceo is a gifted and
effective bandmaster who has elevated the musicianship and repertoire of the band to the highest level
it has ever been. Many members of the band are professional musicians with many years of experience in
service bands and music education. The Hawaii County Band is nothing less than a top -notch musical
organization. The Hawaii County Band is a living, breathing treasure of historical and cultural value far
beyond the sum of $327,000. At twice, or three times that amount, Hawaii County would still be getting
a real bargain.
It's true that I have a long personal affiliation with the band and perhaps that's why it hurts so much
to see it discarded so easily. Nontheless, I hope you all realize that the true value of something is never
realized until after it has gone. I earnestly hope that you will very carefully consider the consequences
of a decision to abolish this truly priceless asset to the quality of life in Hawaii County.
Most Sincerely,
Urban F. Carvalho
urbcar @cox.net
Pensacola, Florida