HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Meeting 2008_Panel Speechest! SO- iDOwntown Hilo
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A highlight of the 2nd EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025 Town
Meeting was a panel discussion entitled:
Downtown Hilo — Past, Present, and Future
Each panelist was chosen according to the six focus areas
listed in the EDH 2025 Plan. From this perspective,
they each responded to the following questions:
What is Downtown Hilo's greatest asset? What are our
greatest challenges? And, how can we overcome these
challenges as a community?
You can read their speeches by clicking on their names, or
simply scroll down.
Genevieve Cain
Focus Areas: Promoting Health and Safety; Strengthening and Sustaining our Community
<INTRODUCTION>
Good Evening.
I would like you to consider this question: If a devastating tsunami arrived in Hilo tomorrow,
how would it affect us?
Would each one of us be safe? Do we have the local resources to be able to sustain ourselves
after the disaster? Would our local economy be able to recover?
I'll come back to this.
<MAIN BODY - assets>
The Hilo community has a number of great assets and I would like highlight three in particular:
1) Firstly, this community maintains the perseverance to keep going, no matter what. We
can see this time after time following past destructive tsunamis. What has emerged
from these events and other disasters is an incredible ability to adapt, recover, learn and
move on. Through the days and through the nights after the tsunamis of 1946 and 1960
the downtown Hilo community worked together, side by side, to clear away debris,
rescue and recover loved ones and restore what was lost.
2) Secondly, deeply engrained in the Hawaiian culture exists a respect for, and
understanding of the environment around us. Here in Hawai'i we must protect our land
and our resources, because they are finite. We are an island community in the middle of
a vast ocean, relying on air and sea to connect us to surrounding continents. With our
harbors, and a majority of our airports in tsunami evacuation zones we are always
vulnerable to natural and man -made hazards. As our host culture understands, it is in
our'ohana, our family, that we receive knowledge needed to sustain our existence here.
3) Lastly, the people of downtown Hilo have an undying sense of community that remains
unshaken by disasters, by economy, by interference. The sense of community is real, it
is true, it embraces and it nurtures
<MAIN BODY — Challenges>
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Downtown Hilo faces a number of challenges of which natural and man -made hazards are
paramount. If we do not take into consideration our health and safety, all other endeavors may
become redundant. By making sure we are safe and healthy, we are able to more effectively
work towards enhancing other things like local education, a profitable economy, a consistent
tourism industry and appropriate building and infrastructure.
<MAIN BODY - Meeting the Challenges>
So how do we rise up to meet the challenges that we face? We educate ourselves and others by
utilizing local resources. We challenge ourselves to take positive action in our everyday lives
that will enhance and sustain our way of life for future generations. We ensure that everyday,
we work towards effectively communicating to our friends and neighbors the knowledge that
they need to live safely and sustainably here in Hawai'i.
<CLOSING> So back to my initial question: would we be ok if a tsunami hit tomorrow. Well, the
answer to that question depends entirely on you. What part can you play in working to sustain
our Downtown Hilo community? What can you do to ensure the safety of yourself and your
loved ones in the next disaster? How can you become familiar with sustainable practices and
tools needed to preserve our diverse cultures and ways of life? If you are a business owner in
downtown Hilo, are you prepared for the next inevitable tsunami?
I can say with complete confidence that all the resources you need to find the answers to these
questions can be found in this room. We have a wealth of local resources here in Hilo and we
should begin a new era of education using local resources and knowledge.
So, after this discussion, look at the person sitting next to you, smile and greet them, these are
your friends, your neighbors, your fellow community members. "Talk- Story" with them, share
experiences and knowledge, for it is this bond that will keep us safe, ensure us to live in
harmony with our environment and preserve this unique and delightful place that we all call
home. Thank you.
[End]
TOWN MEETING SPEECH — SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
Sudha Achar
Focus Areas: Enhancing Education, Culture, and the Arts, Creating Economic Vitality
The striking feature of downtown Hilo is its historic authenticity. It retains the Old Hawaii feel. It makes
us delightfully wonder if somehow time stood still! Yet it presents a blend of traditional style and
contemporary use with ease. Gracefully, it conveys our pride in our town. It shows our love of the
ocean. It shows our love of arts and culture in our everyday life. It reflects a full range of participation by
the diverse cultures to which it is home.
Just with a visit to the market; one can pleasantly blend with people of Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean,
Thai, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Fijian, Puerto Rican, Portuguese, African, South American, mid Eastern
and most European origins. In addition, we become aware of the importance of sustainability and
attention to organic sources of food products, an awareness of and respect for the'aina become
evident.
Downtown Hilo's economic vitality is maintained by a variety of small businesses, shop owners, five
different nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and an excellent Library -all located in a very walkable
historic downtown. The small business owners are innovative and risk taking enterprises. They include
high quality art exhibitors and designers, restaurants, business services, boutiques, bookstores and
more. Their human scale and personal connection to the community are what appeal to both local
residents and independent travelers who seek a different kind of experience.
Downtown Hilo can be proud of architecture as one of its strong cultural elements. We are seeing
contemporary builders and architects with sensitivity to build to complement the older works of Dicky,
Arakawa, Oda and others. It is a balancing act to maintain the old Hawaii feel of Hilo while encouraging
economic growth and vitality. The business community and arts organizations have advocated for
development that encourages living spaces for families in downtown.
Recently a group of significant government and private sector leaders were asked to name their choice
of downtown Hilo's assets. Of the 60 assets they named, a group of the downtown nonprofit
organizations were ranked 4th.The heartbeat of any town are its arts and cultural institutions. The Palace
Theater brings the world to us through exceptional films and live performances. The Tsunami Museum
educates and reminds us about the power of nature and how unique we are in the world. Mokupapapa
Discovery Center educates us of the treasures of our ocean. Lyman Museum preserves and interprets
our history. The East Hawaii Cultural Council facilitates our contemporary artists to create today's
history for tomorrow and offers live performances. These institutions all put a strong emphasis on
nurturing the host culture in preserving the Hawaiian in our Hilo downtown.
In good times and bad these organizations keep Hilo downtown humming. While encouraging an
appreciation of the culture and arts as part of our everyday life, they stimulate the surrounding small
businesses. In the absence of a town center these organizations offer a mingling place for our people
and our visitors. Describing her feelings for one of these organizations, one newcomer to Hilo exclaimed
"it's a love affair! ". Despite limited budgets, they offer us combined programs with depth and quality
across a wide spectrum of our cultural needs. This is accomplished primarily by engaging a substantial
core of volunteers and keeping a focus on our local and unique assets. They demonstrate the potential
for effective use of targeted smart investment.
Our government, businesses, the news media and people must pay attention to the centrality of our arts
and cultural institutions . If they are neglected, the sense of place and uniqueness of downtown Hilo will
decline. It is also crucial to foster effective relationships between these institutions and churches,
schools, Chambers of Commerce, civic and sporting organizations and other groups to disperse
information and encourage community participation. This participation is the life line for continued
vitality of our arts and cultural institutions. There is an urgent and strong need for active participation of
the University of Hawaii at Hilo to be effective in connecting students to downtown Hilo activities.
Public transportation to downtown Hilo from the university, as well as from residential localities, the
port and the airport must be improved.
Both as discrete organizations and through promotion of the significance of this group of organizations'
importance to Downtown Hilo's vitality, we must increase our efforts to encourage awareness of their
presence, participation in their activities and support for their operations with time and financial help.
Envision Downtown Hilo 2025 brings together government, businesses and the community to plan for
Hilo's Future. It facilitates implementation of ideas developed through this plan so that the special
ambiance of Hilo's downtown that we all so love be retained for the future.
[End]
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Chris Yuen
Focus Areas: Managing Growth; Preserving Our Environment
One of the best things about living in Hawai'i is the sense of place and identity. We are
different. Downtown Hilo is a big aspect of that. It's a traditional downtown —the kind of place
that has been eclipsed around much of the country, replaced by the shopping mall or the big
box stores with gigantic parking lots.
I read a lot of planning articles, and one common theme is that everyone around the country
has been rediscovering the values of the traditional downtown. Sidewalks, the storefronts up
to the sidewalks, public squares, a mix of private businesses and public spaces, with most of the
businesses unique. It creates an environment where you walk around, and see people you
know. It fosters random interaction, and creates a social solidarity.
The panel here is a great mix of people who were born here and chose to stay and people who
were attracted to this place and made it their home. The audience, and this town, are much
the same mix. Both groups share, I hope, the value of having this sense of having a different
type of place here.
There are lots of challenges, but let me talk about them from the perspective of the county
government. The planning department has been happy to be one of the partners in the
Envision 2025 project. Like the four CDP's that we've been involved in preparing in the past few
years, it's a plan for action that will make for better communities. But the county, in addition to
its role in planning and implementation of these plans also is an enforcer of rules. I was asked
to talk about how some of these rules are also the challenges.
These rules typically exist for a reason, mostly to prevent bad things from happening, but often,
they can inhibit good things from happening as well.
The building department has strict rules about building in the tsunami zone. Basically, new
buildings have to go up high enough to let the wave pass underneath, so a new building in the
tsunami zone really can't duplicate the storefront to the street look of the existing downtown.
It also limits reconstruction of existing buildings, in the tsunami zone, to 50% of the current
value in any one year, which does make it difficult to do extensive renovations. I really can't
suggest much to do about these rules. To qualify the island for federal flood insurance, the
federal government makes the county have rules like these.
There is an exception for renovations to designated historic buildings, and that is a possibility
that can be explored. There are several designated historic buildings in downtown, including
the Hata Building.
Much of the downtown in also in what's called the Special Management Area, or SMA.
Generally, the coastal areas around the island are in the SMA. In downtown, the makai side of
Kilauea and Keawe is the SMA line. As a practical matter, it means that new buildings, or major
external renovations to existing buildings, need a permit from the county planning commission,
which is an extra step and takes time and money.
Is this absolutely necessary? I think probably not, although the planning commission would
have to amend the SMA maps to remove the downtown from the SMA.
What now? I think the 2025 plan gives lots of good directions. We're working, as a county, to
implement some of them, including the Bayfront trails project, which will help tie the town into
its natural setting along the bay and Wailuku River, something we really haven't taken
advantage of.
Downtown is a lot like the Palace Theater —a gem of another era, which has somehow survived,
but still with work to do.
[End]
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Sig Zane
Focus Areas: Enhancing Education, Culture, and the Arts, Creating Economic Vitality
SIG'S VISION
In the historical district of Downtown Hilo, the unique wooden structures provide a "sense of place" and
a feeling of "romantic Hawaii." This is a value that we can build on, identifying the special features, and
in turn, preserving it for the future generations.
We have been fortunate that nature has provided so much for us. In many ways, she has protected us.
The inability to foster growth following the tsunamis has indirectly given Hilo an edge. Today we have
large green open spaces that most towns don't have. Our Downtown is basically the same as it was in
the 50s and 60s because there wasn't money to rebuild or to rejuvenate. Earthquakes have contributed
too. The fear of another big one not only keeps us humble, but generally afraid to develop.
The greatest asset that Hilo offers is romance. When a visitor comes to town, they are somewhat taken
back because it is like we have been stuck in an era. They see paradise of a by -gone era: coconut trees,
free parking, and a farmers' market with great prices. In addition, they experience real people.
As the economy continues to challenge our survival, we can look at our Downtown Hilo as a main
ingredient for the recipe for success! Certainly we are not competing with the other destinations
because we don't offer white sand beaches or luau shows. The respect for space is practiced with
people, buildings, and nature.
Before shipping ports were developed, the wood for many of our buildings were dropped into the sea
and floated into shore. This salt -water dunking preserved the wood, making it less attractive to the
termites. Our buildings stand today because they were done with love and integrity. Their character is
admirable, the architectural I like to identify as Plantation Market, and the personality is certainly
romance.
In this district, we have several "corridors" that deserve additional credit and could be highlighted. One
example is our "Capitol District" that includes the Federal Building housing the Post Office, the East
Hawaii Cultural Center which was the former Police Station, the Kulana Naauao building housing the
Social Services Department. In addition, there are a few wooden structures that should be cared for and
documented: The American Red Cross on Ululani Street. This is a fine example of architecture during
the early part of the 20th century.
If we have our guidelines in tack, we'd be able to protect our valued inventory from change: the site of
the Hilo Hotel was the former location of King Kalakaua's summer residence and the tree that he
planted... How about Shipman House?
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In our own community and for the visitor, we offer a colorful experience that cannot be had in other
locales. Walking the sidewalks allows one to feel not only place, but time. Although this is subliminal
and intangible, it has a stickiness that tends to linger in the memories. This is an asset.
Being a retail destination is necessary to survive. When we send out an invitation, we have to deliver in
return. The products that we offer must have a value so that there is the exchange, the word -of- mouth,
and the circulation of dollars. We cannot assume that the people that are attracted to Downtown Hilo
are tourist seeking souvenirs or beach mats. Maintaining a unique stand demands sophistication, savvy,
and valued offerings. Surely opening up another Wal -Mart will bring economic vitality, but that does
not say we're unique. Let's solicit businesses that promote our lifestyle!
At the ocean end of Waianuenue Avenue, the lighthouse stands at Kaipalaoa Landing. There was once a
village there, a place where my wife's grandmother was born. There was also a pier that all the whaling
ships would stop at, and that is one translation for the place, "Whale Sea ". When the port of Hilo was
developed, there was no longer a need for the pier. This small green space could be a wonderful park!
When I first moved to front street back in the early 90s, the former tenant of the space told me to work
on getting Kaipalaoa Landing to be a park...
We have to believe in our district, offer value to our visitor, and at the same time, provide parking,
stable rents, and a marketing of our place as one to do business. Encouraging people to live in our
Downtown will also enliven our district!
Our culture and traditions make up our character and personality. As a people place, these
characteristics are part of the value of the experience for our Downtown Hilo. Sharing our personal
stories enhance the individual journey and add the special color to the daily routines.
I have a friend, Billy Mitchell who recently said that we must always continue to sharpen our fishhooks!
This is a metaphor for being alert and on the look out! It's the same as how we offer our Downtown
Hilo. We must always re- invent ourselves so that we remain a fresh adventure, not just for our own
community to support us, but for all others who might happen on our sidewalks!
The biggest challenge that we face is how do we grow without sacrificing our greatest assets. We must
look at our economy and devise a plan to encourage growth for the next generation. We need to create
an environment that instills pride along with reward so that our children remain. We have to update so
that they see the benefits of Hilo as being totally in sync with the world.
Oft times, we bring our experiences and emotion to how place should be. I like minimal impact on
change here in Downtown Hilo because we are fortunate to have such a "sense of place" and our
identity is a benefit. Our community should embrace this very distinct attraction that we have and build
upon it, infusing modern but maintaining the romance that we have "preserved." The ability to fuse
both our past and the future will take planning and financial muscle, but the integration will be inviting
for our own people.
M
I always believed that if we can nurture our own kind, especially by the celebration of our own culture
and traditions, we offer pride and instill that opportunities exist locally. Meanwhile, from the outside,
this view is very attractive. It enhances the visitor's opinion of our town, enriches the history, and
continues the vital heartbeat of our people.
[End]
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