HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.113 2008-2010March 22, 2010
My name is Karen Murayama and I am a teacher at Kea'au Middle School. I have never testified for
anything before, but felt it important to share my concern regarding this Council's decision to do away
with our Hawaii County Band program.
I understand and appreciate the serious situation our entire state is in right now regarding our
economic situation and budgetary challenges. However, I also understand and appreciate the great
historic and cultural importance of this particular program that the Council has decided to cut out of
their budget to reduce costs.
I have had the priviledge of not only enjoying the amazing" music that this group gifts its audience with at
each and every event the County Band performs at, but I have also come to know several of its
members —all professionals in their craft, and all providing over and beyond what they are actually paid
for in order to maintain this particular program. They do so because of the great pride they feel for the
legacy of this program they currently are fighting to keep alive, and they do so because of the love for
their community and young people, knowing that their performances and presentations not only
entertain the public and visitor audiences, but also educate all who hear them, providing knowledge of
the history behind the selections that are performed (e.g., info on writers, conductors, musical
instrumentation of each piece).
In taking away this particular program to lessen our budgetary constraints, you have been reminded that
you would be closing a program that has successfully existed for well over a hundred years —this
program does not ask for raises, does not ask for anything other than payment for performance time,
which the professional volunteer musicians willingly give. I understand that their uniforms, practice
times are not paid for, and that they were given no notice of this decision to cut their program totally
out. There was no discussion regarding possible options —e.g., furloughs, removing one or more
performances per year from their calendar. This group was given no opportunity to try and work out
anything mutually. Is it too late to offer them this opportunity?
I ask that this Council reconsider carefully the decision they are about to make in the removal of this
program from county funding. Once removed, you will have severed an amazing connection to our
island's, our state's past, and 1 believe this will do more damage than good to our budget, in removing a
successful icon that tourists from around the world have heard, appreciated, and have sought out as
entertainment found only in Hawaii.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my request to reconsider your decision in this matter of
concern.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Murayama, Kea'au Middle School Teacher
1206 Ho'ohoaloha Place Hilo, HI 96720
808 -959 -9611 <knmuray @hotmail.com >
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