HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0345.001 2012-2014 WAIMEA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 2655, Kamuela, HI 96743 )+. ( C)
August 4,2013 tA •
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WCA Officers: —
Re: Testimony re Com. 345 (Bill 98) ,rri
President:
Sherm Warner Chair Poindexter and County Council Finance Committee Members, ....
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Vice President: This testimony is being presented by myself,Sherm Warner,President of the Waimea
Patti Cook
Community Association,on behalf of our entire membership that consists of over 200
Secretary: residents of South Kohala. This support was confirmed at our recent meeting with Mayor
Nancy Carr Smith Kenoi and his cabinet,that you attended on July 11,2013.
Treasurer: After dozens of community meetings,beginning in the mid 1980s,the Waimea
Paul Johnston
Community Association supports Bill 98 which accepts$2.5M from the State of Hawai'i
Immediate Past for the initial phase of a long dreamed of and urgently needed Waimea District Park.
President:
Bill Sanborn Acceptance of these State funds,to be matched by funds from the County of Hawai'i, is an
Directors: important milestone in the realization of a project that will benefit not just the residents of
John Edney Waimea,keiki to kupuna,but the entire South Kohala District.Finally,more than 25 years
Wayne Higaki after it was conceived as a part of Richard Smart's visionary Parker Ranch 2020 plan in
Riley Smith 1986,this funding match by the State and County,coupled with the in-progress land
transfer to the County by Parker Ranch,will comprise a giant step toward making the
Stewardship Waimea District Park a reality.
Advisors:
Josh Akana
Pomai Bertelmann We commend all of those whose contributions and commitment over the years have
Chadd Paishon supported this project. Mahalo to:
• Mel Macy,leader of our tireless community group,Waimea Park Builders,and to the
members of his committee,who have collaborated with County Parks&Recreation
staff for more than 5 years to get this park project moving,
• Parker Ranch,which is in the process of donating 24+acres for the park,
• Senator Malama Solomon,
• Representative Cindy Evans,
• Mayor Billy Kenoi and his Parks&Recreation staff, including Clayton Honma,Bob
Fitzgerald,James Komata and Melissa Samura,who not only worked with the
community and landowner but also secured earlier County Council funding of$1M to
develop a long-term master plan,working with PBR Hawaii on site selection and
facilitating charettes which engaged a full spectrum of community members and
potential park users in the planning process,
• The Governor and his Department of Budget&Finance.
We urge you to join Waimea's Councilpersons Valerie Poindexter and Margaret Wille in
their continuing support of the Waimea District Park. Your support of this important step
is greatly appreciated,and we urge all involved in this project to continue to move
expeditiously to complete the land transfer and begin site work in order to nurture and
support the health and wellness of our community.
Founded in the early 1960s and initially called Waimea-Kawaihae Community Association,WCA is a grassroots community group formed to:
• Gather and present information and to facilitate discussion of issues affecting Waimea;
• To advise community members on how and where to make their voices heard,individually or collectively;
• Promote open participation from all of the Waimea community for the purpose or recommending poliices and legislation for careful growth of Waimea,
while preserving the valued qualities fo the region;
• Develop leadership within the community,and
• Initiate,coordinate and support projects to further community development and harmony:cultural,economic,physical and spiritual.
Everyone Is invited to WCA's monthly Town Meetings from 5:15-7 p.m.on first Thursdays.Membership is not required to attend town meetings but is
urged and Includes periodic e-mail notices of important community news,events and issues.
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