HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0991.025 2016-2018 P/Pb1PftCo
COUNTY CLERK cOt4K,q3(
COUNTY OF HAWAII
August 6, 2018 MUS -6 it 11; 31
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni St. Suite 1402
Hilo, HI 96720
RE: COMM. 991 - Na Hoa Holomoku Sailing Club of Hawaii
To Whom It May Concern:
Our family has enjoyed benefits inherent in a Na Hoa Holomoku Yacht Club membership ("'$70
annually) since 2010. These include sailing instruction, a sense of community, and an activity
that our family enjoys together locally.The following is text from an article that I submitted to
the Tribune Herald. It is about the junior sailing classes that were offered by the club this past
summer.The juniors that completed these classes will suffer the most if there is no
commitment to an ongoing use of a location for our sailing club within reach of a safe place to
set sail.
Thank you for your consideration,
Anneke Scout
40 Kamehameha Ave.
Hilo, HI. 96720
808-990-1269
annekescout@gmail.com
"Na Hoa Holomoku of Hawaii Yacht Club wrapped up its months long junior summer sailing
classes at Hilo Bayfront Friday August 3.The series, which was open to all junior members of
the Hawaii Island community, included three course levels from beginner to intermediate and
gave students a fun way to spend time on the waters of beautiful Hilo Bay while learning to sail
with new friends. The classes were taught by ten-year certified US Sailing Instructor,Taylor
Penwell, whose next teaching contract begins in September in New Zealand.
Twenty-five juniors from Hilo and Puna learned how to solo sail a Topper boat safely and
effectively.They learned US Sailing Coast Guard approved rules of sailing safely on the water,
sailing vocabulary, how to capsize and recover, and basic racing techniques. The classes
engendered confidence and safe independence in the young sailors.Junior sailor Ian, 11, says, 'I
came to the course because I wanted to learn how to sail. I have spent three weeks doing
classes and I have achieved my goal.'Junior sailor Adrianna, 13, has sailed with other clubs on
Oahu and she liked these classes because, 'the instructor tells you how to fix a problem (in situ)
while you are sailing out at sea, not just on land before sailing.'Junior sailor Uri, 11, says, 'It's
fun to do sailing because you get to capsize and go very fast in a boat.' Junior sailor Jordan, 13,
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says, 'the teachers are very nice,the boats are in good shape and you can go out on your own
boat.'
Recently relocated to Hilo Bayfront from Pohoiki because of the ongoing lava flow, Lifeguard
Bradley Young spent the summer alongside Na Hoa Holomoku's club activities. Speaking as a
community member and ocean safety advocate, Young comments, 'educating children on how
to read waves, be safe, watch out for one another,teach about weather, rain and what's
happening up mauka, ... giving our kids something to do that takes advantage of our resources
(the beach and the ocean) is a positive thing all the way around...and we enjoy seeing the kids
partake in programs like this...and we, ourselves, would like to get involved (with the sailing
club) someday.'
The 18 year old club is a community member-based and volunteer run organization promoting
all types of boating and open year round to the Hawaii Island community. Currently there are
150 family memberships in Na Hoa Holomoku and the club hosts an introduction to sailing on
the first Sunday of every month. On this day families can safely learn the basics of sailing and
how to right a capsized boat with proper instruction as well as a safety boat nearby.
Na Hoa Holomoku welcomes the Hilo Community and for now says 'mahalo and a hui hou, to
instructor Taylor Penwell'."