2019-09-26 Letter to Gov David Ige re Request for Executive Order to Set Aside Lands for Parks

Home

Wil Okabe .... ........ alarxrging Director+ , / -. Harry Kim • + 1t�\ kn_ or '•"�R' 44_Of'w►'� Barbara J. Kossow Deputy.1Ianagulg Director County of Hawai i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA. 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 September 26, 2019 The Honorable Governor David Y. Ige Governor, State of Hawaii Executive Chambers State Capitol Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813 Dear Governor Ige: RE: Request for Executive Order to Set Aside of Lands for Park and Recreational Purposes TMKs (3)2-2-001:001 (por.); 002-001; 003:003 (por.) and 004:001 (por.) The purpose of this letter is to request that the State of Hawaii transfer authority and management of parcels TMKs (3)2-2-001:001 (por.); 002-001; 003:003 (por.) and 004:001 (por.) to the County of Hawaii as the County of Hawaii's present public park lands inventory does not meet user demands. Public park lands in the Bayfront area of Hilo are a tremendous asset for our community and have become a vital resource for our continually growing and increasingly diversifying sports and physical recreation programs, leagues and other uses. The preservation of these lands as open areas following the devastating tsunamis of 1946 and 1960, beyond providing our town and families recovery and healing, was a wise effort and worthwhile investment. I truly believe these Bayfront lands make Hilo the most beautiful town in our State and have helped shape and solidify a true sense of place and instill pride for all that call Hilo home. It is in perpetuation and furtherance of all these positives that I present to you this request for transfer of additional state lands to the county for park and recreational purposes. The successes of the numerous County parks within the Bayfront area are succumbing to a significant increase in demands for access by diversified athletic interests. While our Department of Parks and Recreation has done its job of addressing concurrent and overlapping needs of numerous users and user groups and distributing usage through assignment of other park resources in Hilo and nearby communities, user's needs outpace the Department's efforts. We are now at a critical point where the need for adequate fields and open spaces exceeds the County of I lawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and F.mplover