HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0177.130 1998-2000 HAWAII ISLAND
H I LA LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION
P.O. 60%1594 KAILUA-KONA, HAWA1196745
April 7, 1999
~ ,
Dominic Yagong
Chair, Public Works and Parks Committee
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Chair Yagong,
The Hawaii Island Landscape Association (HILA) has voted to let its concerns
be known to the Hawaii County Council regarding the proposal to close the
Panaewa Zoo. HILA feels that there are activities and community projects
underway at the Zoo that the Council may not be aware of.
Approximately four years ago, Don Hemis, a botany professor at the U of H at
Hilo, secured a matching grant for $1,500.00 for a palm planting. This was
followed by a matching grant for $3,200.00. The Hawaii Palm Society has
worked diligently from that time forward to plant and maintain a wondertul
collection of palms all through the Zoo grounds. They recently received a grant
from the International Palm Society for $1,200.00 for 65 laser engraved corian
identification signs for the palms. HPM has donated $100.00 for cement for the
placement of the signs.
There are presently 119 species of palms (including half a dozen species of
native Pritchardia) valued at a minimum of $75,000.00. Ninety five percent of the
palms at the Zoo have been planted by volunteers who have contributed more
than 1,000 hours to the project.
Recently, the Bamboo Society completed a planting of timber Bamboos in the
parking lot area of the Zoo. The society also has plans for future plantings. In
addition, the Tropical Rhododendron Society has plans for planting tropical
Rhododendrons at the Zoo. In other words, the Panaewa Zoo is now, and
promises to become, a valuable and rare botanical resource.
HILA understands that the figure of 7$,000 visitors a year to the facility is taken
from the record of group reservations and does not include drop-ins, most of
which are local families. Also, the Hawaii Palm Society is beginning to receive
Comm. Na~ 3 O
File No. Bl1 D
Ref, To: COVNGI{~
Ref. Date 'y'R 1 4 1999
H I LA LAN SI CAPE ASSOCIATION
P.O. BO% 1594 KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII 96745
calls from visitors who want to experience the palm collection. The visitor count
is undoubtedly much larger than the statistics indicate.
The Hawaii Island Landscape Association, by vote of its board, wishes to join
the Hawaii Palm Society in urging the Hawaii County Council not to close the
Panaewa Zoo in recognition of the community's ongoing efforts to make the Zoo
a distinctive cultural and botanical benefit to the citizens of our island.
Thank you for your consideration in this manner. We trust that the content of
this letter can be shared with other council members.
Sincerely,
~ f
Garrett Webb
President /Hawaii Island Landscape Association