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WAIMEA CENTER M~R`I~~~~NTS' ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 2039 ` Kamuela, HI 9674 I I ~ 1808-885-7727 /Fax: 808-885-1935
March ' 099
The Honorable Aaron Chung & Members ~
Hawaii County Council Finance Commit
25 Aupuni St
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Council Members:
I write on behalf of the 32 shops, restaurant: and service businesses in the commercial
center that includes McDonalds and KTA Super :tors. We support the Department of Public
Works requestfor additional funding to complete construction work on Mamalahoa Highway ~
quickly as flQ~siDle.
This has been a very tough eight months. A.~ready impacted by Hawai'i's poor economy,
our business owners have experienced a signific~n' 'rop in sales due to the road work.
We are not cry babies. Our members !.av~ c:,uiatly endured this project's economic
impacts because we see the greater community ;ar•~ pit being served. We have tightened our belts
and worked hard to improve conditions ;vith centta motions, a huge Christmas parade and an
extended holiday events schedule, cooperation io c ornmunity-wide "shop Waimea" passport
program and with our own advertsing.
Our members also participate in the weekly road meetings facilitated by Waimea
Community Association. Also in attendance are representatives of the County of Hawaii,
Goodfellow Bros., ESH, the police and fre departm~:rts hospital, schools, Hawaiian Homes
Department and many other concerned business > . ~:J residents,
Despite all of this, the impact of the road is quite visible. One of our town's better
retailers Kamuela Hat Company --closed recent; . l.~,rgely due to this construction work. We are
sad to see this because the shop enjoyed statevdici~: ;:~,pularity; it complemented our paniolo
heritage; and the owner actively participated in ar;, erg rtributed to community events and historical
preservation. The closing of this shop in !Naimea C ;:rep was a very sad day, especially for the
employees who are now out of work.
Another Waimea Center shop is about to .I : e: and several others are just hanging on.
Please do everything in your pourer to erl.= l completion by approving requested
funding as quickly as possible. The small busine: ~ s ~:at provide the bulk of Waimea's
employment do not have deep pockets to sustain `:r l w>r delays. Thank you for your consideration
and assistance.
Mahalo, ~
Kathy Sakamoto - President and owner/TCBY Tre_'~= ~ '„vaimea Center Comm. No. ~ ~ ~j~
F51e No. L ~ P
Presented
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WAIMEA CENTER MEi~~~ANTS'ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 2039' Kamuela, HI 9074 i ?el: 808-885.7727 /Fax: 808-885.1935
MEMBERS:
American Savings Bank
Big Island Surf Shop
Cook's Discoveries
Dolphin Communications
Dr. Craig Fostvedt, DDS
Gifts 4 Fun
Great Wall Chop Sui
Healthways II
C&K Flowers & Gifts
Island Community Lending
Island Realty
KTA Super Stores
Kamuela Deli
Kamuela Kids
Law Offices of Ian Ivlattoch
Leilani Bakery
MacArthur Worrall & McCarter
Maha's Cafe
Mail Boxes Etc.IThe Business Center
McDonaldsNVaimea
Dr. Joy A. McElroy
Men's Shop
Pomelo Yellow
Pueo Books
Radio Shack
Rhythm & Reading
Studio K Hair Safon
Subway
TCBY Yogurt
Taxes, Etc.
Yong's Kal Bi
Zac's Photo
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