HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0338.057 1998-2000
TESTIMONY FOR COUNTY COUNCIL: 7/27/99
Good Afternoon Members of [he County Council. My name is Trina Nahm-Mijo
and I appear before you in my official capacity as President of the Big Island Dance
Council and an individual artist and educator who has worked in this community for the
last 25 years. Today, I want to emphasize how important it is to our community to keep
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the East Hawaii Cultural Center a "HOME FOR THE ARTS." nme__._,__ s `
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I have been part of the cultural landscape of this County and the State when ~~1~~-'-'°'~"
contemporary arts was in its infancy. In 1976, I helped start the first modern dance
company in the State of Hawaii on the Big Island with the late Earnest Morgan. In those
days, the County culture and the arts was housed at Kulana Naau'ao. It was not unusual
to have a hula class, an art class and a dance rehearsal all going on at the same time. We
got to know Dot Thompson well as her office was in the same building. I mention these
times, because many of the art groups banded together and tried to save Kulana Naau'ao
as a home for the arts during the late 1970's, only to lose that battle and see a wonderful
historic building, with a wood floor--a dancer's dream--be broken up into tiny cubicles
for the welfare office. As artists we were heart-broken and our only solace was that a
very spunky and visionary woman named Frances Shepard, a recently retired principal
from Kapi'olani School, gave us hopes [hat the old broken-down police station across
Kalakaua Park could be refurbished to become the "new home for the arts." Luckily she
was a credible and inspirational leader, because anyone looking at the building during
those days would hardly have believed it would become the thriving, "small but mighty"
home for the arts it is today. The charter organizations of East Hawai' i Cultural Center-
Big Island Art Guild, Hilo Community Players, Hawaii Concert Society, and the Big ?
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Island Dance Council-represent all the genre of arts and sponsor and coordinate annual
events which are the veritable cultural life of Hilo. "Shakespeare in the Park," "The
Trash Show or Recycled Art and Dance Concert," and the "Spring Art Festival" are not
only looked for events in the community but recognized by visitors and the state cultural
agencies as cultural events which define the Big Island.
An editorial in the Hawaii Tribune Herald recently suggested that the idea of a
Hula Museum is a good one and should be used to enhance what is already in place for
the arts. Reclaiming Kulana Naau'ao for this purpose would create a "cluster of cultural
venues" which could truly become a showpiece for our island and create a synergistic
relationship with the Hawaiian arts and our contemporary arts. This is good economy
and good sense! Using the old Penney's as the replacement facility for the state offices
is a good suggestion. It is central and some state offices are already located in that area.
As our elected officials, I know you will be responsive to the voice of the
community and understand that "art is not a luxury" but the very heart of a community.
Don't cut this heart out. Support its present home at East Hawaii Cultural Center. This is
the legacy you want to leave to your children. It's one I certainly want to.
Mahalo and malama pono. I know you will do the right thing.