HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.028 2008-2010Yoshimoto, J
From: Lois Fujiyoshi [fudgef @gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 11:15 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; parks_recreation @co.hawaii.hi us
Subject: Please Save the County Band
Dear County Council Members, Mayor Kenoi and Director Fitzgerald,
First and foremost, I want to thank those who have shown their support to include the band in the
County's budget However, I know that there is still a long way to go until we know for sure that
funding for the band will continue.
I am disturbed by the news that funding for the Hawaii County Band (HCB) has been cut from the
Mayor's budget and that effective July 1, 2010, the HCB will cease to exist.
Page 1 of 1
My daughter is a freshman at Hilo High School and a volunteer member of HCB. She is a very shy 14
year old teenager who enjoys playing her clarinet. Since becoming a member of HCB about 6 months
ago, she has grown into a more self confident individual. It is one thing to take a band class in school
and sit in front your teacher and learn the skills of playing an instrument. It is a completely different
experience to play in HCB and sit among many talented and experienced musicians. This learning
experience cannot be duplicated in the classroom. The make -up of HCB is so diverse that it makes for a
very unique learning environment for our students. They not just learn the skills of playing their
instrument, but they also learn about the history and culture of the County of Hawaii.
I was amazed to see that the band consisted of such varied age groups, starting with the young high
school students, next, the middle -aged adults and finally the seniors, our elders. The band serves more
than the purpose of playing music at concerts, parades and special events, but it also 1) serves as an
institute for learning, 2) revenue source for the working class and 3) activity for the elders - doing
something that they love and keeping their minds healthy and vibrant.
Don't forget what HCB gives to the Big Island community, both individuals and groups, who benefit
from the public performances. Can you imagine standing along the streets watching a parade without
those red and white palaka shirts coming into view? Can you imagine no band the next time we honor
our fallen heroes at the Veteran's Cemetery? No more monthly concerts at the Mooheau Park bandstand
which is well attended by the locals and visitors, both young and old. Eliminating this 127 year old
entity means erasing a part of the County of Hawaii's history.
I ask that a compromise be worked out so that complete removal of the band from the County's budget is
avoided. During these tough economic times, it is crucial that all parties work together to come to a
solution that is in the best interest of all involved, including the residents of the County of Hawaii.
Thank you.
Lois Fujiyoshi
3/16/2010
Comm. No
Ref. To,
Ref. ()Die PAR 2 2 2019