HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-26 Letter to Gov David Ige re Request for Executive Order to Set Aside Lands for Parks Wil Okabe
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Harry Kim •
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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
Letter to Gov. Ige
September 26, 2019
Page 2
County's available inventory. This is a serious matter with wide ranging impacts and
reverberating effects on the lifestyle, quality of living, social development, physical and mental
health, and much more for all of our people. Both the State and County champion and support
the myriad of public and private efforts to enhance healthy living and active lifestyles for
children, seniors, our government employees and their families, and many more; so, we would
be derelict in our own efforts if nothing is done to further address the clear needs of the
community.
Therefore, I am requesting your consideration and support in transferring the subject
lands, which currently comprise a portion of Wailoa State Park, to the County via Governor's
Executive Order or other appropriate means, so that we may move to manage, improve and use
them as expanded inventory of athletic fields.
Please find attached a map of the lands that the County is requesting. The lands
requested have been divided into three areas numbered in order of priority pertaining to this
request, though it is my desire to obtain all 3 areas. I admire and respect the work that State
Parks has invested in caring for this open area for so many years to the benefit of our citizens
and visitors alike. However, transferring these lands to the County will unify control, centralize
communication with and coordination of user groups, and allows the County to implement
maintenance procedures that we are better suited to provide for athletic field purposes.
There have been informal discussions in recent years between various County and State
personnel regarding permanently transferring these lands accordingly, but they have never
progressed further. We have also heard from numerous users that State Parks will not permit
or allow organized athletic uses of the subject areas unless under extreme circumstances.
Those matters notwithstanding, the County through its Department of Parks and Recreation is
willing to administer these lands in support of active and passive uses going forward.
Should you have any questions on this request, please feel free to contact me or you
may call my Director of Parks & Recreation, Mrs. Roxcie Waltjen at (808) 961-8311.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.
Sincerely,
r
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Harry Kim
Mayor
Attach.
c: Mrs. Roxcie Waltjen
roxcie.waltjenhawaiicounty.gov
County of I lawai'i is an I{qual Opportunity Provider and Employer
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