HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.017 2008-2010Murashige, Laura
From: kim springer [kimkspringer @gmail.com] �QIQ ��� 19 A� 11 11 3 Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 11:39 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us coV,.,.;. , ER
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Subject: FOR ORAL TESTIMONY, March 22, 2010, Hawaiyi County Council Hearing, 5:06 1N(Y ? f HAWAII
Hawai'i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Kim K. Springer
1727 Kaiao Street
Hilo, HI 96720
kimkspringcr�c�i gnail.com
(808) 987-9982
ATTN: FOR ORAL TESTIMONY, March 22, 2010, Hawaiyi County Council Hearing, 5:OOp.m.
Dear Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council,
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My name is Kim Springer. I am a lifelong resident of Hilo. First of all, I would like to thank
those of you who have personally replied to my emails and attended our recent concert at Mo'oheau
Park. As a tax payer and voter, this is important to me.
I am here today to ask for 100% support from you to be sure that Mayor Kenoi's budget is
amended to fully fund the Hawaii County Band. This band of ours has entertained generations of people
from here and abroad. I have seen mayors and council members come and go, but the Hawaii County
Band? — It's been here longer than any one of us has been alive. 127 years of uninterrupted service to
people of the Big Island.
I am keenly aware of your need to balance the budget. In addition, it is in rough times like these,
it is now that we need music. We need something to uplift the spirits of the citizens of this great island.
What got the slaves through their long workday? Music. What got the sugar plantation workers through
their arduous work days? Music. What got me through school? Music. Music is something that people
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of all ages and cultures share, and this is what the Hawaii County Band has shared with the people of
Hawaii for years. By the way - I was not raised in a family of musicians.
As an educator, I know the value of addressing all kinds of learners, as I am sure you do. When I was in
school, my parents didn't let me sign up for band class. Instead, I was forced to take a science class.
However, during the summer, they relented, and 1 enrolled in Rodney Wong's summer band program.
That was the beginning of my love and appreciation of music of various genre. Now my students at
Chiefess Kapi'olani always run up to me and say with such pride, "Eh, Mrs. Springer — I saw you in the
parade carrying the BIG drum! Wow!" The sparkle in their eyes and the happiness in their voices are
priceless. Like my teachers and County Band colleagues Rodney Wong, George Durham, John Hursey
and me, some of my students have gone on to play with the Hawaii County Band or have chosen careers
in music.
I have played with the band for just over 35 years. I began in 1974 as a volunteer, and was hired in
October of 1975 — the same year I graduated from Hilo High School and lost my father to heart disease.
I have played under seven band directors. All four of my children, now adults, have grown up in the
County Band room. My oldest, now an MICT with the County of Hawaii Fire Department, was a
volunteer in the band for several years while in high school. My youngest is now a paid member of the
band, after playing as a volunteer for a few years. What a joy it is to see my children enjoy music. It is
something that spans the generations. We've had newborns to the very elderly in our audiences. People
have come up and have told me personally many, many times how much they appreciate the music.
Please don't stop the music.
It's easy to say, "Budget cuts, so we gotta cut what is not needed." The County Band is needed. Music,
a vital part of our culture, is needed —just as much as anything else. Music is food for the soul. I
challenge you to do what is right — not what others have hastily suggested.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Aloha,
Kim Springer
3/19/2010
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