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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0177.142 1998-2000Stephen K. Yamashiro Mayor QJ'nunfg of 'C'U"afunii 25 Aupuni Street, Room 215 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808)329-5226 • Fax(808)326-5663 April 28, 1999 Ms. Sharon L. Lehman and Students Keaau Elementary School 16-565 Pahoa Road Keaau, HI 96749 Dear Ms. Lehman and Students: William G. Davis Managing Director Henry Cho Deputy Managing Director RECEJVED 10 Pere_..._... y.�3c.1�-�,__._•_ County Council Thank you for your letters and support for our Panaewa Rainforest Zoo. I was pleased to hear that you enjoy this asset and natural resource in our community. Please be assured that I do not intend to close the zoo. The budget I submitted to the County Council includes funds to continue the operation of this popular attraction. As you may know, our zoo now has a white tiger and we are working with an international group to bring orangutans to the Big Island. I will forward your letters to the County Council for review as members deliberate the 1999-2000 budget. Again, thank you for taking the time to write. Sincerely, Jhte K. Yamashiro MAYOR dlrTaeweit County co>u"i-I Comm. No. 17 7• / A�-), File No. rres"W Gmv rJu t_ Ref. To: 6 V D Ref. Dn+P_ Wr 5.1999:._... 4/21/99 To The Office of the Mayor County of Hawaii Hilo, Hawaii Dear Mr. Mayor, First, it was a bedraggled bear in a too small cage at the old Hilo Airport. Then the hapless creature was moved to OneKahaKaha Beach Park, and a few other scruffy creatures had joined the array. It was pathetic. But then, miracle of miracles, a truely beautiful rainforest zoo was concieved and constructed in Panaewa. Have you actually walked through it? It has a peaceful, calming ambiance. It is almost as though it has a spirit all its own. The animals (with the exception of those in the monkey cage, which needs expanding) the variety of tropical plants, and the warm,moist air make up an environment that soothes the soul. This summer, we had a Lehman family reunion in Hawaii. More than forty family members came from various parts of the mainland. I was not able to get all of them to the zoo during their short visits, but those who went were so enchanted, they joined "Friends of Panaewa Zoo", and paid the year's dues. Many commented that this is the only true rainforest zoo in the United States (there are rain forest zoos, such as the one in Fresno, California, but these are limited to man made, glassed -in structures with manufactured environments). Our zoo could be self supporting (and perhaps even money generating) with the right publicity. Suppose we put out a web page on the internet with the offer of yearly memberships in "Friends of the Panaewa Zoo" at the nominal cost of $10 per person or $ 15 per family? Suppose we went a step further and offered life -time memberships for only $100 per person or $150 per family? In exchange, they would recieve the quarterly news letters for as long as they remained members, and would recieve a certificate suitable for framing which proclaims this distinction. I feel certain that there are people all over the U.S. who would enjoy saying, "I am a member of the only genuine rainforest zoo in the United States" (this might even be stimulus for more tourists to come to this island to visit "their" zoo...... and of course, our beautiful island). Before we mindlessly shut down those features which make this Island a great place to raise children (and grandchildren), let's put our brains and imaginations to work coming up with ways to keep our county "User Friendly". I know we didn't elect leaders who are too lazy to think. Perhaps the council just needs a bit of prodding, Mr Mayor. I urge you to "prod" on behalf of the children (and we grown children who find the zoo a place of joy and solace). Thank you for your time and consideration, Mr. Mayor. Sincerely, Sharon L. Lehman Grade Two Teacher Keaau School x938'3 ea r me b r, V%(AA4- b u r zoo +0 b C team 41%dt sg4pc- 'Z -Feel vcrI hCLFFY o� bou+ o u r zoo b eca%ue t +- L s ghimals i h OUr zoo, We haV-e, Our z.joo *0 Peel 4 Ct rpy w he.h we, are sa►d t side ouY- se1l4s, 7)- *e, zpa ;5 Arl hgA 4- be coftew people, mctkr. +-h e. qni n, ala c, lea" A®y +ga Iqt► n j 4. b44. \Wc, JO to+ wino- our Zoo -fd : jP awwj. Wt 411 / o ✓t Cour` 'ZOO, r fp 0 4 wo m .2^ iyKyT `,f c. ar ry �•F �� a � r rl.. r r'. 4 do nod cry*��r lD � � me, We ug v der zoo, 6,ncie agora please &D y) o+- 6/�,L5e Tt'ne-etP.E j xm r�) Ja0//V�K-�-er a� "Wow-, . o MAL, Al��) Iny CACL- O mo" -,7 sro6 Atc� k,ad w VK,fQ1 .'p%ar /E (,Ma 0( 9 TcAnh, thou -FO,r fqh �5_ Gia ro, of A e, zrp . 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