Please, Help Me Save the Music

[GonzoBass]

This is a personal request from me
to help in what I feel is a very worthy cause.

Please help save the Hawaii County Band.

The Hawaii County Band, which is part of the Parks & Recreation Department of County of Hawaii, has just been informed that they will not be funded after June 30, 2010, thereby effectively ending a 127 year Big Island of Hawaii tradition. The Mayor and the Parks and Recreation Department Head have refused to consider refunding the band, even though the savings will constitute less than 1.4% of the total annual budget of the Department and less than one tenth of 1% of the total annual county budget.

The Hawaii County Band was formed in 1883 during the period of the Hawaiian Monarchy and existed through the Hawaiian Republic and was finally incorporated into the County of Hawaii during the territorial period of Hawaii. The band has performed at festivals, parades, public ceremonies and other Big Island events for 127 years, an extraordinarily long tradition for the youngest state in the nation.

Even if you don't live in Hawaii, please show your support for the music & arts, the Big Island community as well as a part of history and sign this petition. You may also show your support by emailing (or calling - area code 808) the following members of the Hawaii County Council;

Hawaii County Council:

Dominic Yagong  961-8264    dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us
Donald Ikeda       961-8225    dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us
J Yoshimoto        961-8225    jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us
Dennis Onishi      961-8396   donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us
Emily Naeole       965-2712   enaeole@co.hawaii.hi.us
Guy Enriques       961-8263   genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us
Brenda Ford         326-5684   bford@co.hawaii.hi.us
Kelly Greenwell    327-2642   kgreenwell@co.hawaii.hi.us
Pete Hoffmann      887-2043  phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us

Mayor:
William P. Kenoi   961-8211  cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us

Department of Parks and Recreation Director:
Robert A. Fitzgerald  961-8311  parks_recreation@co.hawaii.hi.us


But please hurry, the County Council is meeting on the March 22, 2010 to discuss the final budget.
They have the power to overturn the Mayor's budget and fund the band.

Thank you.

I have friends and coworkers who play in the County Band
(many of whom are retirees who still play)
and my children and I have enjoyed their music many times.
To see this tradition end with our generation would really be a shame.

You don't need to be a resident of Hawaii to sign
and there is no registration or lengthy form to fill out.

So, I would greatly appreciate if you could all
please take just a few seconds
to electronically sign the petition below-

Petition to Save the Hawaii County Band

Mahalo-
Gonzo

[OldManC]

Done!

[Basshappi]

Done!

[exiledarchangel]

Me too!

[Barklessdog]

Done

[Highlander]

and from the UK...

[GonzoBass]

Thanks a million guys!

I know that times are tough
and can completely understand that belt tightening has to happen somewhere
but in my heart,
I believe that people need to send the message that "The Arts" are not expendable.
ANYwhere!

Thanks again guys.
You rock!!!