Save the Hawaii County Band

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

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
Stephanie Lein Walse-MinnesotaThe arts are such a vital and vibrant expression of our humanity and a means to build and strengthen both individual talent and community bonds. Please have the foresight to consider the meaning and impact that the band will have for generations to come, and how that will outweigh the miniscule savings you are attempting to gain today.
Matthew Kania47MinnesotaThe arts are the fuel of human life. Music is especially significant to a culture and a community. Save the Hawaii County Band.
PAIGE DECKER SHORT59ROME, ITALYResident of Hilo from 1962-1965. Graduate of Music and German from Indiana University and director of music at Ambrit Rome International School. Hilo needs this band!
Alfred Zdrazil62St. Paul, MinnesotaPlease keep this fun and valuable tradition alive.
Jennifer Weir37Minneapolis-
John Frank---
Steve Nash40IL-
Heidi Langendoen55Wakefield, MAKeep the band alive!
Heidi Langendoen
Joe McCarthy24Hilo, Hawaii-
Jana Deren23Worcester, MACounty bands are an important part of keeping culture alive. Discontinuing the funding for the Hawaii County Band, with it's long history, would be the same as cutting funding for any historical monument.
Julie kirk42Texas-
Joi Williams---
dylan wager36north carolina-
Kapoliokealoha Mille---
Jeff Gray42Keaau Himusic is the key to our soul!
Jodi Mine40Kurtistown, HIPlease provide funding for the Hawaii County Band. We need to show our children that we respect and value the traditions that have been passed down through the generations. It is also an important vehicle to educate and expose people to music of various genres.
Linda Marquez63HiloThe county band has been an important part of every parade and major event for as long as I can remember. The band needs to continue to be a part of our life.
Julianne Mine8Kurtistown, HIPlease save the Hawaii County Band. It makes good music. It's been around for a long time.
Patricia Peartt---
Masaki Mori48Japan-
Kalai Carey-Kailua-Kona-
Susan Spegar50HonoluluSave the band!
Grant Ito45Honolulu-
Jessica Kirsner---
Dan Hanson Franck49Kona: W. Hawaii BandSave The West Hawaii County Band too!

It performs many concurrent & annually requested vital & uplifting parades & services too, with reasonable travel times! Best Wishes.
Shirley Stillman67Hilo-
jeffrey jacobson62mill creek wa.do the right thing!!
Joel Ustare44Honolulu, HIThe joy the community gets is 1000X the 1/10th of 1% of the County's budget. That's a winning investment by anyone's estimation.
Rhonda Lund---
Nancy Taira43Honolulu-
Nancy-Honolulu-
Alex Burgos20Orlando, Florida-
Carla Christensen59KamuelaIt would be so sad to lose this band!
Rhonda Rasbach37Riverside, CA-
Alan John Wood---
corey erb21miami, florida-
Marilyn Hoey-AustraliaThe Hawaii Country Band get my support. As a late learner of the Uke I can tell you anything that develops musically skills in people is invaluable. Pls don't cut the Band's funding.
Christian Jacky18VAsave the music. The world needs their aloha
Raphael Ramos25Honolulu-
Ray Henricksen19NJ-
Lori Naito-Hata-Hilo, HI-
Andre Taira26JapanI was born and raised in Hawaii, and the County Band is part of Hilo! Don't let it go under.
Carolyn Cook40WashingtonSave the band. Music is important!
Maud Sterling53Seattle Washington-
thomas wells29ft lauderdale-
Terry Greene54Miami, FloridaWhen I goto Hawaii on vacation I want to see the Band.
Jessica Cotter23Eugene, OR-
Wilbor Boyd50kailua-konaThis is a no brainer. I believe the Mayor should cut back in his own "back yard" before going to look at other areas.
Evan Bausch---
Candace Clement67MN USit is so important - our world depends on efforts like this