Save the Hawaii County Band

Signatures Count

Collected so far: 6,370 signatures Goal: 100,000 signatures
6.4%

Save the Hawaii County Band

Opened on March 05, 2010 | Contact Petition Author

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
Elaine Icban-Boston, MAPlease help continue the music!
Dr. Angela Miyashiro-VolcanoI am for saving the County Band. I have many friends that are active participants and the band helped me when I needed them for a fundraising activity for Special Olympics. Angie
Myles Akira Yamamoto32Kaneohe, Hawaii-
Calvin M Ota59HonoluluSave tradition and heritage
Ian A. Sheerer---
Beth Alford54Goose Creek, SCMy family lived near Pearl Harbor for 4 years in the 90's while my husband was stationed there. We loved the islands and the people with their rich arts traditions and miss them very much. They provide such a good cultural example for the rest of the country. Please keep the band funded by the county!
Tina Sakurada38Hilo-
Doris Victor71Honolulu, HI-
Keiko Sewake46Okinawa, JAPANPlease save the Hawai'i County Band!
Mauree R. Velasco29Honolulu, Hawaii-
Elizabeth Ellis56Oahu-
Daniel Chun16Hilo-
Barbara Calo57ColoradoThere is a lot of hard, scientific evidence showing that music supports math skills, social skills, community cohesiveness and self-worth. It is worth so much more than a dollar amount. Please, politicians, cut something that has fiscal impact only, not something that feeds people's souls, engages kids, and enlightens lives during hard times.
R Chang---
Alexandra Flores20Gainesville, FL-
Debra Ota52Honolulu, HIKeep the band for the arts, the families, and the community!
Elizabeth Clarke21Washington-
Robert Miyake59Hilo-
Kathy K. Bello38Hilo-
Susan Yamane58Honolulu, HI-
Jennifer Matsumura---
Clarisse Ann Baisa50Maui HII think it is important to save the Hawaii Band for history and our future's sake!
Lawrence Chan60Waipahu-
James Sposato IV20Honolulu, HIAs a music educator in training, it is sad to see so much music being cut from Hawaii. We've already lost our Symphony. Threatening to take away our Royal Hawaiian Band and now the Hawaii County Band. Please save the music in Hawaii!
Albert Palacio22Miami, Fl-
Katherine Kozuma61Oahu-
Rowena Solomon53Mukilteo WA-
Madeline F Schatz62Kamuela In our technological society music serves as an oasis......a place to dream and celebrate. Please save the band.
Wendy Jedlicka50MN-
Diane Koshi50Honolulu, HI-
Mark Nakamura74HiloWe need the band....the band is part of Hilo's history dating back to the 1800's.
TOKORO---
ma-kunn33--
Patrick McCabe-Minneapolis, MN-
Ann Hull57Mountain View, CA-
Hayden Scruggs17Georgia-
Caren P White51Nashville TN-
Mie Aoki36Waipahu, HIPlease save the Big Island's tradition.
Diane Kosaki-HiloPlease save the band!
Stacey M. Naki-Honolulu HI-
Dorene Tagudin Kam-Oahu-
George A. Barnard89Redmond, WAMy wife and I are na expat kama‘aina from Kaneohe, ‘Oahu and in 1949 spent our honeymoon on the Big Island. ¡¡SAVE the BAND!!

- Bud B
Norma F. Chun-Kailua, HI-
Joe Enriques---
Gregory Rivera24San Diego-
Jennifer Questad35Texas-
Camie Uyehara32--
Korbin Watkins---
Tanya Schefler32--
Sam Crutchfield55--