HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.105 2008-2010Men and Women of the County Council
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni St.
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Council Members:
I am a trombone player in the Hawaii County Band, having played off and on for about 20 years altogether.
I picked up the instrument when I was in the 4 or 5 grade and took "band" at Kapiolani School when a
teacher named James Kudo started an after- school program. So, I've been at this a while. We work at
Band most holidays and long weekends playing concerts or parades, and rehearse twice a week at night
when most other County employees are home having dinner and watching TV.
I have played under Band Directors Baclig, Lorch, Hursey, Mendoza, Kawakami, and now Paul Arceo.
The band has come a really long way and it is largely due to the discipline instilled by the band director.
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You may not realize it, but you have got a REALLY great sounding band here. Tourists come to your
monthly Saturday concerts from the mainland, and they are really impressed. The sound is totally
unexpected from this little 35 -piece group that is the Hawaii County Band. And, for years now the Band
has operated well under- budget.
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Sources from the Royal Hawaiian Band in Honolulu say they will still have their jobs, and they are a full -
time band requiring health/medical insurance coverage for all member, in addition to pension contributions,
all coming out of the budget of the City & County of Honolulu and Mayor Mufi Hanneman. The players
there say that "Mufi really loves the band..." And notice, he is not eliminating funding for the band, though
they are subject to furlough Fridays like everyone else, come July 1.
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If it comes to pass that this proposed budget is acceptediwithout any amendment to fund the Hawaii County ,
Band, June 30` 2010 will be remembered as "the day the music died... ".
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The Band is playing concerts at Mooheau Bandstand on April 3' and the remaining concert dates are:
May 15 and June 12 PLEASE COME AND LISTEN TO WHAT THE COUNTY BAND IS ALL
ABOUT, AND WHAT MAY BE LOST IF WE ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN OUR ENDEAVORS TO
SAVE THE BAND.
My final thought and comment for today is this: CAN YOUR HAWAII• COUNTY BAND PLEASE BE
TREATED FAIRLY?
Thank You and Aloha,
H . ..
27 ono St.
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935 -5099 (24/7)
March 22, 2010.
comm. No. 1 I I. 105
Ref. To: P /Ca.n«l
Ref. Dote MAR 22 2111