HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 252 Draft 01 2014-2016�J�t•( OF N,�1
COUNTY OF HAWAII -' STATE OF HAWAII
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BILL NO. 252
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE NAMING THE KA`U GYMNASIUM AND SHELTER AND
AMENDING CHAPTER 15, ARTICLE 8, SECTION 15-68.1 OF THE HAWAII
COUNTY CODE 1983 (2005 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO THE PARKS
AND RECREATION FACILITY SCHEDULE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to amend the Parks and
Recreation Facility Schedule and name the new Ka`u Gymnasium and Shelter in honor of the
late Representative Robert N. Herkes.
Known by everyone as "Bob" Herkes, Robert Neil Herkes was a third generation
Hawaii Island resident, born on January 24, 1931 in Iloilo, Philippines. Mr. Herkes resided in
Volcano Village for thirty years until passing away on August 21, 2014, at the age of 83. His
last known address was 99-1725 Pukeawe Circle, Volcano. He attended Riverside Elementary
School in Hilo, Hilo High School, and graduated from Punahou High School on Oahu. Bob
graduated with honors from Cornell Hotel School and later served in the United States Army.
Bob Herkes began his extensive political career in 1988 serving in the Hawaii State
Senate, the Hawaii County Council, and in the State House of Representatives for an impressive
18 years, where he spent his time advocating for the people of Puna, Ka`u, and North and South
Kona.
Bob Herkes was a staunch advocate for natural disaster preparedness and the importance
of updating the Hawaii State Emergency Plan. He brought statewide awareness of the health
effects of vog and created the Interagency Task Force on. Bob Herkes actively participated in
fundraising for the 2011 tsunami relief in Hawaii County and in securing a mobile medical van
which brought much needed medical services to rural South Kona and Ka`u.
Bob Herkes made the Ka`u Gymnasium and Shelter a reality for the people of Ka`u.
After five years of appealing to fund a much needed gymnasium for Ka`u High and Elementary
School, the Board of Education was unable to move the project forward. Being a true champion
of the people, Bob Herkes was not dissuaded. Bob Herkes used creativity and ingenuity by
changing his approach, and got the gymnasium funded and built by advocating for a certified
disaster shelter and gymnasium at the Pahala School Complex. Bob Herkes secured $18.1
million to fund the first Federal Emergency Management Shelter and Gymnasium, and in
partnership with the County of Hawaii, the gymnasium and shelter became a reality.
The Ka`u District Gym and Shelter located on the grounds of Ka`u High and Pahala
Elementary School was realized through the efforts of an innovative, hardworking, and
passionate legislator who fought for and cared very deeply about the people of Hawaii nei.
The purpose of this ordinance is to recognize and commemorate in perpetuity, the late
Representative Robert N. Herkes by naming the Ka`u Gymnasium and Shelter in his honor,
pursuant to chapter 15, article 8, section 15-67(a)(4)(B)(iv), Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005
edition, as amended), which establishes guidelines for naming of County parks and recreation
facilities.
SECTION 2. Chapter 15, article 8, section 15-68.1, Hawaii County Code 1983
(2005 Edition, as amended), is amended by adding a new facility structure name to the
Ka`u section to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:
"Representative Robert N. Herkes Gymnasium and Shelter"
SECTION 3. New material is underscored. In printing this ordinance,
underscoring need not be included.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other
provisions or applications of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid
provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are declared to
be severable.
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SECTION 5. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
Hawaii
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1 st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date:
REFERENCE Comm. 1137