HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0111.038 2010-2012 To : Hawaii County Council
From : Rodney Wong
335 Huali Way
Hilo, HI 96720
My name is Rodney Wong. I was a member of the Hawaii County
Band. Thank you for this opportunity to testify . I am asking that
you do not support the proposal to not fund the Hawaii County
Band. The Hawaii County Band, which started as the Hilo
Portuguese Band in 1883, has served the people of Hawaii
continuously since then. The Band has existed in the Kingdom of
Hawaii, the Republic of Hawaii, the Territory of Hawaii, and now,
the State of Hawaii. The band has been an important part of the
history and culture of Hawaii Nei. I humbly ask you to please fund
the band and keep the tradition of the Hawaii County Band a part
of our island life.
After a parade in Kona, an elderly man told me when the band
played "Koniau" as we marched by, he started singing and he put
it so eloquently when he said, " Da soun' was comin' out from my
mout', but my heart was doin' da singin." What a profound
statement. This is just one example of why we need the band. This
is why we need music — we have to let our hearts sing.
We are people. The only thing that distinguishes people from
animals is the simple fact that we can appreciate as well as
participate in the creation and performance of the visual and
performing arts. Are we at that juncture that politics and the
county budget become the factors that control the one thing
that defines us as people? Let us not forget that we are human
beings. The elimination of the Hawaii County Band is not
something that should be considered, at any cost.
comm. No. / /f. 32
Ref. To: a
Ref. Dote MAY 18 200