HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0111.052 2010-2012 Page 1 of 1
SLAM. I I1,2Z COUNCOW
Murashige, Laura 2°1C0 F c 2)Ma(U NU. G
From: Weddings A La Heart [weddingsalaheart@hawaii.rr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 9:52 AM ti ; -'•'. I t i
i; 1 "'
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony On Behalf of the County Bands: Against Proposed Amendment to Bill 29
Attachments: Testimony County Council May 17, 2011.doc
Attached please find my testimony to the County Council.
With Warmest Aloha
Rev Libby
Rev Libby Tao Kelson - Fulcher, D.D.
Weddings A La Heart
http://www.weddingsalaheart.com
weddingsalaheart@hawaii.rr.com
P.O. Box 4965
Kailua -Kona Hawaii USA 96745
(808) 322 -3322 Tel
(866) 321 -3321 Toll -Free USA ONLY
(808) 938 - -8565 CeII
(808) 327 -3445 Fax
Comm, NO. ///.•5
Ref. T�:'� i Cog a l
Ref. DeteMAy 18 tag
5/17/2011
Rev Libbyy. K21,5014- F'ulcher, D.D.
May 17th, 2011
To: Dominic Yagong, Council Chair and Members of the County Council
Re: West Hawaii County Band
Aloha Mr. Chairman and Council members
My name is Libby Kelson - Fulcher. I am a Minister with Weddings A La Heart in Kona. I
strongly support the County Bands. Historically it's always the arts and culture and the
educational areas, the non - income producing sections of society that tend to get the axe
first whenever there is a downturn in the economy. KEEP THE BANDS. Let's awaken
our wise selves and look at the whole picture of organization and management and
allocation in a fresh way with expanded vision, not through outdated protocol and limited
possibilities. We need a solution that embraces, positively, all aspects of life.
The human heart and spirit, the human nervous system needs music and the arts, needs
beauty and nature, concerts and parks. We have a human and spiritual need for
upliftment, for enjoyment, relaxation. The world is a difficult and challenging place to live
in. On a daily basis there are constant stresses and they contract us, age us, wear us
out. The creative sides of man alive in everyone need to be inspired, encouraged and
supported, then all areas of society, including the economic are the beneficiaries. A wise
man once said, Life is a mystery to be lived. Not a problem to be solved. Our spirits
need nurturing. Our minds need smarter possibilities.
PLEASE KEEP THE BANDS. They represent Hawaii County, Hawaiian and American
traditions and they represent us, the community. The bands carry on the tradition
originated by the Hawaiian Monarchy to have Hawaiian band music at their events. By
what right are these traditions to be taken away? I support keeping both county bands
for both sides of the island. Today I'm specifically speaking on behalf of the West Hawaii
County Band. More attention needs to be given to the West Hawaii County Band. It
seems to have been forgotten and minimized, left 3 years ago without a bandmaster and
reduced to 9 musicians. Other musicians have to be brought in at the band's own
expense in order to perform with full instrumentation. I would hope that if the bands'
funding is maintained that there is a balancing that takes place to begin to equalize the
size and support of the two bands and have two strong, healthy bands with a band-
master for each in the part -time positions they are. There is room for improvement and
improved economy here. The musicians in the band of which I'm one, love to make
music, to be of service in this wonderful way. Seeing faces light up in the people lining
the parade streets as we march past is evidence enough of the important role we play.
Imagine the Big Island with no band at Hulihee Palace, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day,
Kamehameha Day, 4th of July, the Boys Scouts' Makahikis in Kona and Kohala, the
lronman, or Billfish tournament? These just a few examples. Can you visualize parades
along Ali'I Drive, Bayfront, Kamehameha Avenue or Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea,
without a band or band music? It's simply not feasible. Let's just get on with it and make
it happen. Mahalo for giving this your sincere consideration.
With Warmest Aloha
Libby Kelson - Fulcher, D.D.
P.O. 8oX f -Koko? Hawaii uSf}J6745 (SOS) 322 - 3322 WO ') 327 -3445 Fax