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June 1, 2015
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COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF RAWAIII
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65.1291 Kawaihae Road #101C Kamuela, Hawai'i 96743
The Honorable Dru Mamo Kanuha, Council Chair
And Members of the Hawai'i County Council
RE: Proposed Amendment to Bill No. 29, Draft 3 - Proposed Capital Budget for FY 2015 - 2016
144-2-1
Support for Department of Parks and Recreation - Walmei-D-lis-t—dd Park Master Plan Implementation
Council Chair Kanuha and Members of the Council
My name is Patti Cook and I am President of Waimea Community Association. I am here to speak on
behalf of our Board and the many members of our Association who have devoted considerable time
and thought to addressing the clearly urgent need to provide additional recreational facilities for
Waimea's children, families and kupuna. As you know, a commitment was made by Parker Ranch in
1996 to dedicate lands to the County of Hawai'i for public park and recreational purposes. This was
part of a rezoning ordinance that recognized a serious shortage of public recreational facilities in
the Waimea area.
Subsequently, a group calling themselves Waimea Park Builders started meeting to keep this
project alive and moving forward. They were led by community volunteer Mel Macy and have now
been at this for more than 8 years. Mel is off island today but has worked closely with both the
Ranch and County Parks and Recreation staff to plan and design a District Park, and more recently,
worked with the County Administration, Council, State Legislature and the Governor to secure
authorization and release of matching funds for a master plan, and now construction of Phase 1.
We sincerely thank Mayor Kenoi, who has made this project a priority for his administration.
We know this Council is aware that the plan referenced by James Komata, Parks and Rec's Park
Planner, reflects literally hundreds of hours of community meetings and ultimately a design based
on community priorities.
In support of continuing efforts to bring this project to fruition, we ask the Council to approve this
proposed amendment. We know there may still be additional funding needed but we believe the
plan as it stands has been well received by the community and we urge continued forward progress
as rapidly as possible.
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Patti Cook Ref. To:
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