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
George Hayek20Houston, TX-
Caroline McClary18Houston, TX-
Jeffrey K. Brett57PATwo years of my 22 year Army career were spent at Schofield Barracks. My fondest memories of those 2 years were the visits made to the Big Island. A vacation there on the way back to the mainland from my wife's assignment in Korea renewed our love for the Hawaiian community. As a retired military musician, I sincerely hope the tradition of the band will continue!
Taylor Duenas16New York-
Gary Ogawa---
Andreas Mitchell-St. Louis, MO-
paula forrest58ames, iowaMusic is important!
Trevor Bentley---
Marsha Hee57Volcano, Hawai'iSupporting the continuence of the county band will meet the community need for culture & the arts which feeds the soul and imagination of residents and visitors of all ages. Discuss alternatives of budget spending vs straight cuts; decrease dept supplies/utility costs/hours vs cutting personnel/positons. Be creative in funding programs vs eliminating them.
Cameron Haines17South Carolina-
Marian Johnson73Hawi, Kohala, HawaiiI grew up in Hilo and the County Band was a great part of my life. The band is a living treasure.
John F. Johnson81Hawi, Kohala, Hawaii-
Akemi　Mitsumori66Kobe、JapanWhen I visited HILO, I heard a performance.

Is a splendid band; please continue.

Hortencia Borja51Guam, U.S.A.WE ALSO HAVE OUR OWN MUSIC FESTIVAL HERE, AND FIND IT EXTREMELY IMPORTANT DUE TO THE GUAM TERRITORIAL BAND ACCEPTING MEMBERS OF ALL AGES-WE LOVE MUSIC!
Ruth E. K. Walker77Hilo-
JARMIE LIBAO43HILO-
SHANNON KANUHA LIBAO39HILODo not take away a part of Hilo's History!
Thomas Marshall49San Antonio, TXMusic is a part of the Hawian tradition and the American Tradition. It lifts the spirit, promotes cognitive activity, and this organization adds to community.
Lynne T. Shimazu78Hilo, Hawaii 96720-
Chello Allen34Waipahu, HI-
Ron Horton61Portland ORAs a former USAF Band member of Hickam, I strongly recommend you don't stop the music. Hawaii without their own band? You might as well get rid of the beaches too. Funding the band is a small price to pay for the attraction of tourists at its events.
Ry James---
Courtney Stafford19Columbia, SC-
Francis Takahashi Jr57Hilo, HI-
mikie benedict34england-
Glenn Robert Moore51Jonesboro, GASave the band - lots of tradition and we need quality music!
john v---
Michael Akrep49Massachusetss-
Dennis H. Ouchi61United States-
Kristina Peterson40Seattle, HII am not a resident of Hawaii, but visit at least once a year with my family. We return year after year because of the Hawaiian people and their rich culture. Each visit we learn a little more and our appreciation for your islands, people, history, and culture deepens. I hope that you will consider continuing to fund the Hawaii County Band so that this tradition is not lost.
Kristin Wood---
Rollins Wood---
Lawrence Trautman66-Please keep the music playing!
joan Dickerson66Pittsburgh, PAMore music, not less. Uke's are the cheapest easiest entre to musical education (except for voice I guess).

It is suitable for all age groups, all economics.
Polly Alison Bennett56Fort Collins, CO-
Anna Renee D.Kline40San Jose, CaliforniaPlease Save the Music
Edwin Yamamura-Pukalani, HI-
Jan M. Heiser54Honolulu, HawaiiMusic is a cultural, social and emotional necessity in life. Please save our music!
Lynn Fleming30Waimea, HI-
Brian K. Nakashima58Honolulu-
Irene Sandry69WaipahuPlease save the band!
June Andrade-Kona, Hawaii-
Bruce E Swenson62Bremerton, WA-
Katherine Dimitriou-Boston-
Gay Goodfriend60Bronx, NYHawaiian music is the language of Hawaii - please keep it alive.
Lokelani Rosehill-Moorpark, CAWhat a shame! Let's keep it alive! It's part of our culture.
Andrew Meyer20Bloomington, IN-
Jennifer Carwile24California-
Jay Wall61Asheville, NCThere is a natural (and proven) connection between music and math. Give the students an opportunity for the future and enrich everyone's life.
Susan Racelis79Las Vegas, NV-