HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0150.007 2018-2020 P/C0041
COUNTY CLERK COMM, 150
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
From: leo Time i 30 pM By de.
To: Council Testimony 05/17/019Date
Cc: aAndrew Leo; Francine Pearson
Subject: Resolution-87-19
Date: Tuesday,March 12,2019 2:43:57 PM
Aloha, I am one of many artists who live in the Puna District, quite close to
Pahoa. I am a longtime resident here, my husband and I have raised a family here.
We frequently use our Pahoa pool, which has become especially important to our
community after all that has been lost. We call this place our home, and as such we
have a tender regard for what goes on here. I am an established artist, and also an
art teacher,who has worked in the
Hawaii school system, public, charter and private. It is very hard to understand why
we the people of Puna were not advised that there was a consideration of
beautifying the Pahoa Pool with a mural. We have an alliance of multitalented
artists here in Puna, with all the knowledge needed to pull this off together. I know
our artist community well, and I know that we all would have an interest in coming
together to bring something of great beauty to our town. Personally I have
completed 5 murals that have a public venue. I am not alone though, there are
many of us, who are accomplished in this field.
I want you to know that this feels like a lot like a done deal, a rush job that was all
planned out and smiled upon by some chosen few, well before it ever came to us in
public view.
1-Where is this donation of$15,000.00 coming from and who is to receive it?
2-DoesTemple Children get the money and why isn't it going to local artists instead
to this Austrailian artist , MEGGS.
3-Has a consensus of the community been taken as to "do we want to be reminded
of the eruption every time we go to the Pahoa Pool?
There is already a tremendous mural on the side of the building occupied by the
Pahoa Museum, which offers a vision of lava and Madame Pele, in the highest
esteem. I might add was done by local artists who simply love this our homeland of
Puna.
From viewing our council persons layout for the Activate Puna event, it sounds as
though even more murals are already in the works.
4-Have the people of puna been asked if they wish to have our town decorated with
murals?
5-Why has Temple Children taken it upon themselves to make these decisions?
Art in public needs to answer a call and not get in the way of calm and peaceful
interactions in the community. People need to be happy that its there, to be pleased
and proud of the job thats done. I am saying this to drive home my point that we
have not been given any respectful forum to discuss.
My bottom line is this opportunity belongs to the people who live and breathe here
in Puna every day, the artists, the students, and all who wish to participate. This
takes time, time to organize, to make a plan and to put it into action. Puna is
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capable of this, we.Were not given the option.
6-County Council member Ashley Keirkewitz is a member of the Temple Children
Organization, by her own admission, does this raise the question or truly the answer
to why this suddenly upon us.
I ask that Resolution 87-19 NOT BE PASSED.