HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPP-21-000227 05.19.23 C. SUGIYAMA TESTIMONY REC'D AT LPC HEARING!Z'
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Catherine Sugiyama,
PO Box 3028
Kailua Kona 96745
County of Hawaii / Leeward Planning Commission ,
Use Permit 21-0002277
May 19th 2023,
I have known Nanette Guiffrida for 30 years. My two daughters were in the first
gymnastics classes she offered in Kona. I assisted as dance coach for several years
and my daughters became assistant coaches while in high school.
Nanette provides Kona with an athletic service that is unequalled on this island. She
provides classes from tiny "Mommy and Me" beginners to elite gymnasts training at
competition level 10. She even teaches "Senior Fitness" people in their later years. I am
80 and am in that class with "younger" adults - over 55 who need strength, balance
and flexibility exercises which are hard to find in "regular" gyms.
Her facility is the culmination of years of growth, in it you find multiple balance beams,
parallel bars, vault runs and crash pits full of foam. The floors and runways are
supported in various ways - one has pipes under it, another blocks of foam, and many
areas have crash mats that can be placed below pieces of equipment one on top of
another so falls are minimized.
Previously in Kona at a gym - which was located where the Jags Automotive is now -
parents had to line up across the parking lot so their children could have an adequate
distance to run and vault. Needless to say vaulting was not an every class event!
This year Kona Aerials hosted the Hawaii State Gymnastics Championship meet.
Teams came from other islands to compete. Kona has hosted the Ironman race.
Olympic swimmers have practiced in our pools. Kona is known as a sports
destination. Athletes no matter what age need to maintain their level of fitness. To
close the Kona Aerials gym even for a short while would leave close to 175 Kona kids
without a place to practice and about 300 unhappy parents left with their active
children unable to attend the "bounce and tumble" classes they need to use up their
energy.
Please keep our gym open.
Cathy Sugiyama