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 BandMahalo-
Gonzo
