XII. DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

ROLE AND DUTIES

The role of the Department is to provide safe and clean facilities and wholesome recreational activities for all age groups.

STAFF

There are 509 full and part time employees in the department, including the County Band and West Hawaii Band.

Divisions

Aquatics Mark Marshall

County Band Wayne Kawakami

Culture and Arts Roxcie Waltjen

Elderly Activities Harold Bugado

Golf Course Marvin Iida

Hoolulu Complex Leroy Alip

Park Maintenance Glenn Sadayasu

Recreation Arlene Miyake

Zoo Lloyd Yoshina

Tea Ceremony House Advisory Committee

This committee serves as an advisory body to the Mayor in the formulation of policies for the maintenance and operation of the Japanese Tea Ceremony House at Liliuokalani Park in Hilo. Members' terms are co terminous with the Mayor. Members of the committee are:

Dr. George H. Durham

Maxine C. Hughes

David S. Ikawa

Dr. Kaoru Noda

Russell Oda

Marcia R. Sekimura

Gladys Sonomura

Rev. Michiyo Uenoyama

Toshio Yamashita

Veterans Advisory Committee

This committee advises the county on matters pertaining to the operation, management and maintenance of veterans cemeteries and other related veterans issues. The committee members are:

George Y. Taketa

Edward Toriano

Joe Jitsuo Yoshida

Mabel W. DeSilva

Toribio Francisco

Matthew Heneralau

Jimmy F. Enocencio

Louis Kaoiwi

Phillip Paulino

John Owens

Donald Johnson

BUDGET

The budget for the department for Fiscal Year 1995 96 was $13,089,166.

HIGHLIGHTS

Despite a budget year characterized by shrinking revenues, personnel freezes and lack of equipment, the Department was able to attain a number of significant achievements during the 1995 96 Fiscal Period.

Outlined are the major highlights and achievements by each of the Department's 10 divisions/sections.

Administration

1. August '95

Rededicated Pahoehoe Beach Park in Kailua with the assistance of the Kona Outdoor Circle and Landscape Architect Kaz Shigezawa. The project, which transformed a barren space into a passive park, won a State award from the Western International Society of Abori Culture.

2. August '95

Dedicated a new $12,000 Go Cart Track facility at the Panaewa Drag Strip in Hilo. The facility was built by volunteers.

3. September '95

Dedicated two new Soccer fields in Hilo. The facility was constructed by the partnership involving the County, AYSO Volunteers and Operating Engineers.

4. September '95

The Department launched a "Wellness Program" with assistance from the Safety Department and Director Jay Sasan. The experimental program later called "Our" System is aimed at reducing worker's compensation costs by 25%.

5. October '95

Initiated and completed drainage improvements at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course. Other improvements included the repaving of 8 foot cart paths and paving of the parking lot.

6. November '95

Nominated Culture/Arts Specialist Roxcie Waltjen, Park Caretaker Sandy Rosas and Elderly Nutrition Program Site Manager Julie Ann Pasquale for the County wide Outstanding Employee Awards Program.

7. December '95

Conducted a first time Open House Program at the County Building, featuring a 10,000 Christmas lights display, concerts and other entertainment.

8. March '96

Dedicated the Kona Athletic Fields including a regulation baseball diamond, soccer/football field and two softball fields. The fields were constructed with volunteer help from the U.S. Army Corps and the West Hawaii Youth Council. Budget for this project was a little over $500,000, which represents a great savings to the County.

9. April '96

Conducted the Biggest Easter Egg Hunt in Hawaii, with some 12,000 eggs given away.

10. May '96

Installed a new photovoltaic system in cooperation with HELCO at the Kailua Gym.

11. May '96

Dedicated the new Gilbert Carvalho Park Playground with assistance from the Lehua Jaycees and Councilman Brian DeLima.

12. May '96

Opened the new Hilo Bayfront Park with assistance from State Highways in closing off a one half mile stretch of roadway. The park will serve as a venue for canoeing, jogging and a variety of recreational activities.

County Band

1. The County Band, under Bandmaster Wayne Kawakami, participated in 30 major events throughout the fiscal 1995 96 year. This included eleven monthly concerts, parades and ceremonies. The Band is comprised of 55 members. The Band held 90 rehearsals during the year.

2. The Band has continued to encourage the training of high school students, as they sponsored the 3rd Annual High School Band Festival for students.

3. Beginning January, 1996 the Band's monthly concerts have been alternated between the Mooheau Park Bandstand and other island wide districts as Kona, Pahoa, Kau, Honokaa and Waimea.

4. The West Hawaii Band, under the leadership of Gary Ventimiglia, performed at 31 different events around the island.

Aquatics

1. Under Aquatics Director, Mark Marshall, the division served a record 2,020,169 persons in the '95 '96 fiscal period.

2. Continued to provide lifeguard service for State Beaches under a special contract. These parks included the popular Hapuna Beach Park.

3. Lifeguard Operations include eight County Beach Parks (Attendance 1,638,492) around the island and seven County Pools (Attendance 375,671).

4. Water Safety Officers performed a record 358 rescues during the year.

5. Marine Programs at Richardson Ocean Center continued to increase in attendance (6,006 patrons).

6. Special Events for the Division included Novice Age Group Swimming meets; Richardson Rough Water Swims and 4th Annual Bodyboard and Bodysurf meet.

Culture and Arts

1. Under the leadership of Roxie Waltjen, provided services to 15,755 persons in various classes, workshops and special events.

2. Continued to develop the West Hawaii Advisory Committee with new by laws and programs.

3. Conducted the 3rd annual Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival (February 1) with 3,000 attending.

4. Conducted a first time May Day Celebration and lei contest at the Hawaii County Building.

5. Conducted the first "Twelve Nights of Christmas" lighting display at the Hawaii County Building. Over 1,000 attended.

6. Conducted the first Elvis Presley Revival in January, 1996 marking the King's Birthday with Karaoke singers. Over 500 fans attended the event.

7. Honored Merrie Monarch Coordinator/Founder Dot Thompson as the County's Living Legend of the year.

8. Conducted other successful annual events as the Barefoot Hula Show, Mochi Tsuki demonstration, International Karaoke Show and the like.

Hoolulu Complex

1. The complex, managed by Leroy Alip, is comprised of the following facilities.

A. Francis Wong Stadium

B. Walter Victor Stadium

C. Ah Fook Chinen Civic Auditorium

D. Edith Kanakaole Stadium

E. Seven Seas Luau House

F. Drag Strip

G. Skeet Range

H. Butler Buildings (2)

2. Overall attendance in the '95 '96 period totaled 659,976 (up 48,451).

3. Revenues totaled $130,350 (up $15,140).

4. Achievements:

A. Added a new Go cart facility at the dragstrip and cleared five (5) more acres for radio controlled planes.

B. Completed ADA accessibility requirements for Seven Seas and Kanakaole Stadium.

C. Completed repairs to Victor Stadium, including resodding of grounds, painting and bathroom improvements.

D. Worked with community groups and volunteers to repaint the upper seats and walkways at the Civic Auditorium.

Parks Maintenance

1. Under the direction of Parks Superintendent Glenn Sadayasu, performed general clean up and pressure washing at various public restrooms, boat ramps, beach parks and tennis courts around the island. Provided the public with safe, clean and aesthetic facilities.

2. Focused on ways to provide the public with cleaner restrooms and to react swiftly to repair damages caused by vandalism.

3. Solicited volunteer help to maintain park facilities, using senior citizen groups, the corrections program and low income work programs.

4. Conducted training in applying herbicides, in safety, use of computers, ADA, supervisory techniques, liability and pre retirement.

5. Achievements:

A. Repair and maintenance at 200 plus facilities around the County. These include beach parks, playgrounds, community centers, neighborhood parks, sports fields, picnic pavilions and senior centers.

B. Increased partnership with community volunteer groups as the Hawaii County Correctional Center, Kulani Inmates Project, Community Service Restitution Program and service groups, Scouts and community groups for beautification and improvement.

C. Assisted Civil Defense with various emergencies throughout the year.

D. Initiated different ideas in combatting vandalism which has made a large impact on the maintenance budget.

E. Purchased new equipment to improve efficiency including a mulching machine, better mowers and a hoe ram.

F. Continued to provide valuable support services for nearly every major event occurring on the Big Isle, including the Merrie Monarch Festival, Aloha Festivals Triathlon, Canoe Championships, Kamehameha Day Celebration, Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration.

Recreation Division

1. Under the leadership of Recreation Administrator Arlene Miyake, serviced a grand total or 2,961,582 patrons during the 1995 1996 year.

2. Expanded the Summer Fun program for the third straight year, from the traditional six weeks length to eight weeks.

3. Conducted the Biggest Easter Egg Hunt program (over 12,000 eggs) at Liliuokalani Park.

4. Sponsored In Service training programs for professional staff.

5. Developed first time recreational programs covering rural areas as Hawaiian Beaches, Waikoloa and Volcano.

6. Developed first time youth activities as the Hilo Summer Track Program, Haaheo Year round school Intersession programs, Ultimate Volleyball Camp, Self Defense for the disabled and the Taste of Kohala July 4th program.

Panaewa Zoo

1. Under Zoo Manager Lloyd Yoshina, the Zoo attracted 73,437 patrons during the year (Increase of 400).

2. The Hilo High Zoo Crew continued their project of providing docents for elementary school classes.

3. NASA's Ames Research Center donated 30 squirrel monkeys and the University of Hawaii Medical Research facility donated a pair of owl monkeys to the zoo.

4. Light fixtures and water lines were replaced in the original horse stalls and contracts awarded to re roof seven zoo buildings and to replace three stable buildings.

5. The zoo staff consisted of eight full time and two part time employees. The annual budget was $674,146.

Hilo Municipal Golf Course

1. Under the management of Superintendent Marvin Iida, recorded 95,188 rounds of golf, making it a record year. (Up from 79,257).

2. Initiated a new contract (two six year agreements) for operation of golf carts, driving range and proshop. Head Pro Rod Acia is now responsible for the new contract.

3. Major drainage improvements construction of sewer drywells ($135,000) was completed.

4. The cartpaths were repaved to eight foot widths, making it safer for the golfing public ($230,000).

5. Improvements to tees, fairways and greens were completed, including aerifying, top dressing, week removal, tree trimming and realignments.

Elderly Activities Division

1. Headed by Operations Director Harold Bugado, the Division is comprised of five major sections:

A. Retired Senior Volunteer Program

B. Recreation

C. Coordinated Services

D. Nutrition

E. Senior Employment

2. The RSVP program listed 1,061 volunteers who contributed over 151,971 man hours to the community. The program did extremely well, considering a 2 1/2% cutback in Federal funds. Stu Kearns was hired as new Director in February, 1996.

3. The Division's Senior Employment program (budget $338,001) enrolled 72 individuals aged 60 and older and placed them in part time jobs with government and non profit agencies; 13 employees were transitioned into private jobs during the year. The budget was reduced $31,615 for the year, due to a cutback in State funds.

4. Coordinated Services assisted over 4,000 seniors during the year with referral services, special transportation and home chore services exceeding objectives set for the year. The section also effectively operates the Senior Companion Program where seniors help other seniors.

5. The Division's Nutrition Program led by Joanne Kawakone, who was hired in February, 1996, served over 82,700 meals at 14 sites around the island. The Pahala and Naalehu sites celebrated 20 years of operation in 1996. Some 66,414 meals were delivered to the homes of elderly shut ins during the year. 15,809 trips were provided to participants (by vans) during the year.

6. The Senior Recreation Program saw a new Program Director in Evelyn Togashi, who took over the reigns in January, 1996. The program section operates 26 senior centers around the island. Major emphasis for the year was placed on a first time Senior Olympics program planned for July.