HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0536.001 2012-2014 COUNTY K
COUNTY OF HAWCLER AI I
Time � ` CEI BY
Date t B 1 3
American Youth Soccer Association
Our Children Need More Field Space for Healthy Activity
December 3, 2013
Testimony to the Hawaii County Council
Re: Bill 156; Comm. 532
Support Funding the Makae'o & Kealakehe Regional Park Funding of $9.5M
Available public data provides hard numbers regarding the health of our children;
and the data is not good. In many instances, children will die before their parents
due to illnesses often related to obesity.
• Life Expectancy is 3 months shorter (first time in history for our species)
• In 2001 : 6 million kids were seriously overweight
• In 2012: 20 million kids are seriously overweight
• 18% of children are obese (30% if we include the overweight)
• The obese/overweight are 2x as likely to be diagnosed w metabolic issues
• 39% of obese children have at least 2 cardiovascular risk factors already
• Heart disease begins in childhood
• 165 Million Americans (42%) will be obese by 2030
• 100 Million Americans will have diabetes by 2050
• Diabetes alone costs the US $245 Billion (41% increase from 5 years ago)
• In 2026 Medicare will be broke due to this pandemic.
Sports and other health related events are crucial to the well being of our children
not only due to the activity it provides but also the interest it generates and keeps
our children off the streets. Sports also create communities of families who
become more aware of healthy choices. Presently the availability and conditions
of our limited field space is not only hindering the growth of our children but in
many instances the conditions of the fields also cause otherwise avoidable
injuries.
AYSO builds the foundation for Soccer in our community, however, according to
Cara Altamirano, the Regional Commissioner of AYSO's Kona Region, reserving
enough field space for each season is not only challenging, but the limitation of
field space is hindering the many additional sport opportunities we should be
providing our.children.
Soccer is not the only sport suffering from lack of field space. Many of the major
sport seasons' overlap, and this too makes juggling the fields quite challenging
not only for the county, but for each association. Large Events, such as the UPW
Comm. No.,
534..
Ref.To: PAP
Ref. Date DEC 3 /013
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(United Public Workers) Event and the Mayors Health Fest are also competing
for this limited space.
Over usage creates fields that are bald and often sharp rocks and gravel are
exposed, where children get wounded, some serious enough for stitches. The
potholes can lead to sprained ankles and other injuries. During summer 2013,
Kona's fields E & B were closed down for 3 months of maintenance due to over
use. Field B still needs more work. Even though money spent on maintaining
fields, due to their limitation, those fields don't have time to mend before the next
season starts.
With more field availability, Kona will be able to offer large events, including Sport
Tournaments. In the past, Kona has forfeited their hosting opportunity to Hilo
due to too many participants for the amount of available fields. More Kona
hosted events also lends itself to commerce growth as we can invite neighboring
regions and islands to larger multi-day events.
Especially in light of negative health trends and life styles, the quicker our county
reacts to the need for more field space, the quicker this community can help
provide additional healthy opportunities to our children and families. We seek the
County Council's support in the development of the Kealakehe Regional Park.
Sincerely,
Emily Hill
AYSO: American Youth Soccer Association
Board Member