Signatures Count

Collected so far: 6,369 signatures Goal: 100,000 signatures
6.4%

Save the Hawaii County Band

Opened on March 05, 2010 | Contact Petition Author

Save the Hawaii County Band

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 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. 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.

UPDATE: The Mayor has remained stubborn on his decision to cut funding for the band. The Hawaii County Council, however is considering changes to the budget that would restore funding for the Hawaii County Band. At least one County Council Member has stated that he will introduce an amendment to restore funding for the band. However, it has to have the support of a majority of council members. The Mayor can also VETO the new Budget. We need your support more than ever. The Hawaii County Council needs to know that all of you support the Hawaii County Band. Keep telling your friends to sign our petition. The final decision won't be made until May or June.

Keep up your support!

Thank you.

 

Hawaii County Council (area code 808):

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    327-3642   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

 

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Signatures Signatures

Full Name AgeLocation Notes
Noel H. Sawada54Indianapolis, INHaving grown up in Hilo in the 60's and 70's I remember the band being an integral part of the identity of Hilo; Christmas parades, Mooheau park concerts in the band gazebo and many other venues. Mr. Andrew Baclig is a name I have come to associate with the rich history and tradition of "Treasures of Hilo". Please consider continued support of the Hawaii County Band and preserve one the precious gifts our lovely city has to offer its residents and visitors. Mahalo!
Richard M Kawamura57Lansing, MIKaimuki H.S. 71
U.H. 71-76
U.S. Navy Band 77-97
Royal Hawaiian Band 70-76 (part time)

Community Music Programs cost so little in comparison to the goodwill and sense of community they promote. It would be such a shame to shut down these programs.
kazuko tsukamoto44japanI want to see.
Theresa Brandl26Santa Clara CAKeep music alive!
Randall S Iwami44Mililani, Oahu-
jonah keoki hunter17wai'anae, oahu-
Mark Sato56PaiaWhether you play or listen, music is needed to maintain balance in life.
Diane Chernin56ConnecticutHilo no ka oi.
patricia rechtman51Keaauplease save the band. The band is one of the things that makes our Island so special! Let the band play on!
Phoebe Sienkiewicz15Missouri-
Kanani Kawika20Honolulu, HI-
Robert Akun16Haiku-
Marlene M Jorge76Pacific, WA 98047-
Laurel De Mello69Hilo, HawaiiSAVE HAWAII COUNTY BAND!
Thomas robison24--
Diana M. L. Schochet70Honolulu, HiFormerly from Hilo
kathy wonisch61indianaplease preserve the culture. you cannot let this slip away.
Eric S Shaw44Phoenix, AZ-
Paula Todd70Hiloplease add my name to this petition
Brian S. Gibson32Manchester, NHSupport the people, preserve the culture!
Martin Uherek22--
Cole Palea27Hilo-
Sara Karr22California-
Doo Whan Kim61Chicago, ILIt is essential to maintain the Hawaii County Band which is 127 year Big Island of Hawaii tradition. Please save the band!
Erline Dair55Millbrae, CA-
Jeff Halter---
Samson Pantorilla16hilocounty band is too legit....too legit to quit
Matthew shiroma18Aiea, HI-
John Isaacson---
Caitlin Thompson19Ohio-
Robert Cowan18TexasLong live the band!
Alfred O. Brown Jr.62machias,MeKeep the tradition going. Save the band.
Steve Torres-Indiana-
Linda Larson---
Skyler Grossman18California-
Kiersten Chalhoub---
Natalie N. Sorrels21IN-
beatriz concha16--
Tony Lagattuta53New Jersey-
Kimberly Lyons19Georgia-
Toby Horner19Hilo-
Lyssa Freeland-Indiana-
Kelly D. C.21HonoluluHilo is always in my heart and it pains me to see such a monumental band go. Please save them!
Marsha C Clay---
Sean S. Kenny20Hilo, HIIt would be sad if such a long running tradition was ended in this manor. Stop being greedy politicians and leave the small things that matter like this alone.
Amanda Schmidt18Georgia-
Jessica Gelinas24Indiana-
Daniel Neice18Indiana-
Rich Sandowski---
Matthew Stanley18Ohio-