HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0338.002 1998-2000 R~CFiV~[~
County Council Representatives '99 JUN 22 Phi 1 35
25 Aupuni Street CO,~~~~iT
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 COUNTY p~= I
HAWgp
To our County Council Representative:
It has come to my/our attention that Mayor Yamashiro has advised the Board of
Directors of the East Hawaii Cultural Council that he is entertaining plans that
would preclude the renewal of the lease that that they currently hold on the Old
Police Station building when it terminates on December 31, 2000.
Over the years the Cultural Center building has hosted up to 15,000 visitors per
year to the galleries and workshops housed therein, in addition to providing a
home for the Hilo Community Players and the Big Island Dance Council and their
individual events.
I/we strongly object to the displacement of this organization. As our Council
Representative, please give serious consideration to the contribution this
organization has made to the community. They have completely renovated and
made use of a building that was once slated for destruction and provided a home
for the arts in our town.
Personal Testimony:
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Sincerely,
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Comm. No. J ~ $ ~ ~ O'Z.
F/N
File No.
Ref. To;~ F,fSEDC
Rkf. Date Jlfi~ 2 2 1999
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Robin Miller
ManaOlanaFarms '99 JUN 22 Pal 1 35
P.O. Box 401
Honomu, Hawaii COON ~ i i_ERK
96728 COUNT`r' Or HAW411
963-6828
June 19, 1999
County Council Representatives
I'm writing regarding the proposed move of the East Hawaii Cultural Center. While I do not
believe all the changes proposed are wrong, I do wish to have my objection noted as to moving
the entire EHCC moved from its current space. I do laud the assistance that has been given in
relocating the community players, and believe that the partnership between the palace and the
players is well thought out.
However, it does appear that requests have been made without serious consideration of all issues.
I support the idea of a hula museum, and feel that a mutally beneficial arrangement could be made
with the art galleries of the EHCC and the proposed museum. But before simply announcing
that it's time for the center to go looking for another home, why not spend some time in
determining what a combined art gallery, classroom facility and hula museum might look like?
Combining these two institutions, at least for a time, could provide economic savings for both,
while allowing for breathing room to determine if the hula museum is economically self
supporting. Benefits could also be gained by having in increased visibility for both since space
might be shazed.
The cultural center, as with most azt institutions nationwide, has it's shaze of straggles. I have
recently moved here from Portland, Oregon, where the art community there has forged a vital
contribution both economically and socially to the city. This did not happen magically, but as a
result of hard work, and not a small measure of faith and support, not always coming in the form
of monetary contributions, but in the concerted efforts of the city government to bring about a
consistent, well planned revival of the Portland downtown core. As both a business woman, and
an artist, I feel that the relocation of the cultural centers art galleries and classroom spaces would
be a great blow to it's accessibility and profile. Do I think there are other, suitable locations for
the EHCC? Yes, but not without an extensive partnership from the city, and the class room space
the center enjoys would be compromised, and /or require extensive costs in remodeling. I truly do
not consider the Permys building a viable option. It is removed from foot traffic, lacks streetside
profile and charm, and is too far away from other downtown business which encourage people
just to pop in and see what is going on at the center. The ascetics of a location is extremely
important, and the old police station is a beautiful building, with space for the many workshops
that run there, office space, and plenty of room for the proposed hula musuem. The new board of
the EHCC is extremely dynamic, and business minded, and I see good things ahead for the center.
Spend some time in serious research. Perhaps the blending of the hula museum and the galleries
might not work, but include us in the dialouge, please. Support the center by proceeding
cazefiilly, and not capriciously, as that article in the Times Tribune would have us believe.
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