HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0718.026 2016-2018 Murashige, Laura
From: Gloria Simon <simon808@ymail.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2018 11:09 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 99
Greetings,
I am writing in support of naming the Honka'a softball field in honor of Lala Epinesa,
I lived and worked in Kamuela for eighteen years. I raised my three children there and worked in the community as a
juvenile probation office. As a parent and social worker, I've had countless opportunities to interact with Lala. He was
always gracious, respectful, honorable and giving. He treated everyone this way and when working with the children, his
calling was truly realized.
There were many times when I contacted Lala with a request and he never let me down. I had kids from our communities
who found themselves in the Family Court system and in need of guidance and support. As a consequence of poor
choices, these kids were given community service sanctions and I often had to come up with work cites for them to
complete their mandated hours. What started as a conversation with Lala, turned i to a partnership that saw multiple kids,
placed in his care, to make amends for their wrong doing. Lala never asked what the kid did, he just wanted to know how
many hours they had to do and he would simply say, "send 'em." Lala always took these kids, gave them a safe and
nonjudgemental space to complete their obligations, and provided them with a role model from the community that they
could look to and trust.
Lala was steady, dependable and unselfish. I believe, naming the softball field in his honor, is a fitting tribute to a man
who has given his community so much.
Humbly submitted,
Gloria Simon
formerly of Kamuela, now living and working on O'ahu.
simon808@ymail.com
02/04/2018
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