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

 

* denotes a required field

Signatures Signatures

Full Name AgeLocation Notes
Shiro Miura76Japan-
Iori Miura3Japan-
Chiharu Miura10Japan-
Ryuho Miura12Japan-
Hatsuka Miura13Japan-
Mayumi Miura39Japan-
Toshihiro Miura46Japan-
Motoya Aihara10Japan-
Chiharu Aihara14Japan-
Ikumi Aihara38Japan-
Heihachiro Yuda68Japan-
Tomiko Yuda61Japan-
Hikaru Yuda10Japan-
Shihori Yuda14Japan-
Masami Yuda37Japan-
Mizuki Hagiwara10Japan-
Yuuna Hagiwara15Japan-
Shizuka Hagiwara33Japan-
Erika Ichihara24HawaiiPlease don't take the band away. I believe that its music enriched the soul and spirit of the people and community.
william p ogilvie63Honolulu Hawaii-
Jacky Lawes64Australia-
Michelle Lai19Hawaii-
Franklin Nathaniel70Volcano, HawaiiPlease keep the Hawaii County Band, its been an institution on the Big Island.
Fredrick heneralau-Las vegas-
Fredrick-Las Vegas-
Gustavo Lang Jr.---
Satsimran18Kuchingmay the county band live on...
Debbie53Maple Valley, WashinMy uncle Wendell Leight has beend in this band for years and it is always so nice to go home to the portguesse fesitaval in hilo and enjoy their music. Taking the band away from Hawaii will only take away the education that this band has provided to our culture.
Debbie Moniz demello
Joe Calica67KeaauI am in full support of saving the band. We should look at not funding the public relations position which I understand that the department heads can handle, saving approx 60,000 per position.
jason s. lee43volcano-
Judith de Mello68Peachtree City, GAMy father, Lawrence B. de Mello and Uncle Joeseph B de Mello were proud members of the band for many years. It is a tradition that should be funded.
Lani Akiona--I think it's imperative that we continue to give to our community & our children's future through this venue - Hawaii County Band.
akane okaniwa---
yasunobu okaniwa22--
vivian waga52--
biharu okaniwa23--
Dimetria Ventura73Wahiawa, Oahu-
Henry Barrett Jr.54Honolulu-
Malia Kaai-Barrett42Honolulu-
Julie Ann Yogi-Chun---
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto39JAPAN-
Kellie Morioka Sato29Sacramento, CA-
Kendra Kawamura---
Allison Layton-Chapin, SC-
R. Manantan---
Karen Shindo---
Lorrie Chun-Honolulu, HISAVE THE BAND!
Martha Gardner-Las Vegas-
Kaina Kamanu--The music should live on through our younger generation and generations to come.
Lindelle Kamanu-Las Vegas, NVI grew up listening to the Hawaii County Band since I was little til I moved to Las Vegas. The Music they provide is apart of the Hawaiian Heritage. It should be kept alive for generations to come.