HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0991.018 2016-2018 P/PwPRc,
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COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
From: Lizzy Laliberty
To: Council Testimony 30
Subject: Testimony
in y in support of Na H 7018 AUG -6 Ail II:
Hoa Holomoku C
Date: Sunday,August 05,2018 11:19:12 PM
Dear County Council Members,
I am writing and submitting this testimony in support of Na Hoa Holomoku, the Big Island's
only sailing club. I strongly encourage the County to move forward on granting this 501(c)3
an MOU equivalent to those held by the 10 or so canoe clubs located on Hilo Bayfront
because it is a valuable recreational resource for our islands' communities.
Na Hoa Holomoku (NHH) is composed of dedicated volunteers who aspire to share their love
of recreational (and some competitive) sailing with the Island's residents. My family first
interacted with the Club in 2010 when we decided to join. On our first visit I recall members
and instructors making us feel welcome and encouraging our young children to go out and
learn how to sail on the Sunfish boats. Over the years we have enjoyed sailing as a family and
this past summer our 14 year old son took a week-long junior sailing course. It was very
affordably priced, well-run and classes were taught by an experienced sailor who knew how to
teach kids of all ages and abilities.
NHH fills a recreational niche not available any where else on the Big Island. It allows
residents to use a drastically under-utilized natural resource: Hilo Bayfront at no expense to
taxpayers. In fact, it doesn't require any infrastructure whatsoever. Sailboats do not interfere
with any other recreational activities such as fishing, paddling or tour boats. While demanding
that the Club remove its boats for an indefinite period of time for a restoration project, the
County has not offered NHH an alternative location, nor given any timetables as to when the
work will commence and end. My annual family membership with NHH began in June 2018
and will run until next June. I know that I am one of many, many concerned members when I
say that threatening to shut down the operations of this sailing club will not only jeopardize
our ability to enjoy the sailboats, but future opportunities of Big Island residents to enjoy the
beauty of Hilo Bayfront from the vantage point of a sailboat.
For these reasons and many others I urge our Council members to grant NHH a MOU similar
to the Canoe Clubs' Memorandums. Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
Liz Laliberte
NHH member, Teacher, Hilo resident
Comm. No. l•Iu
Ref. To: P I _ P&t
Ref. Date AUG 0 7 Mg