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 - Tilthon Sugi

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

Gladys Sonomura

Rev. Michiyo Uenoyama

Toshio Yamashita

Yoshii Miyazaki

 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:

Mabel De Silva

Jimmy Enocencio

Toribio Francisco

Matthew Heneralau

Donald Johnson

Louis Kaoiwi

William Kay, Sr.

Jack Kondo

Denise Nakanishi

John Owens

Phillip Paulino

Robert Pettit

Hideo Segawa

George Taketa

George Yamamoto

 BUDGET

The budget for the Department for Fiscal Year 1997-98 was $13,863,606.

 HIGHLIGHTS

The Department was able to attain a number of significant achievements during the 1997-98 fiscal period. Outlined are the major highlights and achievements by each of the Department's 10 divisions/sections.

Administration

1. July 19, 1997

Dedicated a national award-winning children's playground at Higashihara Park in Kona. Over 1,000 volunteers helped in donating labor, materials and other resources to the project.

2. July 22, 1997

Dedicated a new Tea House at Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo. The new facility which involved donations of over $400,000 in private funds will serve as a cultural centerpiece for Hilo.

3. August 2, 1997

In conjunction with the Moku O Hawaii Canoe Association, hosted the statewide championships in Hilo Bay, involving over 3,000 paddlers.

4. October 12, 1997

Assisted with the first Big Island International Marathon with logistics, staff and facility preparation.

5. October 18, 1997

Sponsored a satewide Gateball Tournament for seniors (300-plus players) at Walter Victor Stadium in Hilo.

6. November 15, 1997

First burial and dedication of a 5-acre West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery.

7. December 9-12, 1997

Held Festival of Trees display and Christmas programs at the Hawaii County Building. Trees were donated by friends of various Councilmembers and the Mayor's Office.

8. February 27, 1998

Hosted the 1998 State High School Swimming Meet at Pahoa Pool with over 300 participants.

9. May 28, 1998

Held public hearing to amend rules, fee structures and camping fees for P&R facilities. Changes to take effect on July 1, 1998.

10. June 3, 1998

Won Special Beautification Award from the Kona Outdoor Circle at it's annual luncheon.

County Band

1. The County Band, under Bandmaster Wayne Kawakami, participated in

30 major events throughout the fiscal 1997-98 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 5th Annual High School Band Festival

for students.

3. 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 Aquatic Program Administrator, Mark Marshall, the Division

served over 2,100,000 persons at 10 beach parks in the '97-'98

fiscal period.

2. The Division continues to provide lifeguard service for State

beaches under a special contract. These parks include the popular

Hapuna Beach Park.

3. Lifeguard operations include eight County pools (attendance 414,000).

4. Water Safety Officers performed 214 rescues during the year.

5. Marine programs at Richardson Ocean Center is ongoing

(3,683 patrons).

6. Special events for the Division included Novice Age-Group Swimming

Meets; Richardson Rough Water Swims and 6th Annual Bodyboard and

Bodysurf Meet.

Culture and Arts

1. Under the leadership of Roxie Waltjen, provided services to more

than 11,000 persons in various classes, workshops and special events

during the fiscal period.

2. Conducted the 5th annual Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival with 4,000

attending.

3. Conducted a May Day Celebration with Hawaiian songs and a lei

contest at the Hawaii County Building.

4. Conducted the "Festival of Trees" lighting display at the Hawaii

County Building. Over 1,000 attended.

5. Honored legendary artist Linus Chao as the County's Living Legend of

the year for 1997.

6. Conducted other successful annual events as the Barefoot Hula Show,

Mochi-Tsuki demonstration, International Karaoke Show, Mc-Zoo Summer

Fest 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 '97-'98 period totaled 675,000 (up 5,000).

3. Revenues totaled $65,122.

4. Achievements:

A. Added a new oval racing facility at the dragstrip and cleared

five (5) additional acres for radio-controlled planes.

B. Completed ADA accessibility requirements for Seven Seas and

Kanakaole Stadium (restrooms).

C. Completed repairs to Victor Stadium, including resodding of

grounds, painting and bathroom improvements.

D. Worked with community groups and volunteers to repaint sections

of the Ah Fook-Chinen 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. 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.

F. Completed a major renovation of Liliuokalani Park.

Recreation Division

1. Under the leadership of Recreation Administrator Arlene Miyake,

serviced a grand total or 2,788,892 patrons during the

1997-1998 year.

2. Expanded the Summer Fun program for the fourth straight year, from

the traditional six-weeks length to seven weeks. Also for the first

time, hired an island-wide Disabilities Specialist.

3. Continued 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 sports clinics.

Panaewa Zoo

1. Under Zoo Manager Tilthon Sugi, the Zoo attracted 75,741 patrons

during the year (Increase of 2,000).

2. The Hilo High Zoo Crew continued their project of providing docents

for elementary school classes.

3. Renovation of restrooms to include handicapped accessible, completed.

4. Light fixtures and water lines were replaced in the original horse

stalls. Re-roofing of seven zoo buildings and repair of three

stable buildings completed.

Hilo Municipal Golf Course

1. Under the management of Superintendent Marvin Iida, recorded

103,500 rounds of golf, making it a record year. (Up from 96,500).

2. Continued to work with Golf Advisory group and communication

newsletter to over 100 golf organizations.

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 1,246 volunteers who contributed over

167,065 man-hours to the community. The program did extremely well,

considering a 2 1/2% cutback in Federal funds.

3. The Division's Senior Employment program (budget $278,693) enrolled

45 individuals aged 60 and older and placed them in part-time jobs

with government and non-profit agencies; 12 employees were

transitioned into private jobs during the year. A major change for

the program was the relocation of the office.

4. Coordinated Services assisted a record 7,431 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 served over

105,317 meals at 14 sites around the island. Some 74,327 meals were

delivered to the homes of elderly shut-ins during the year. 18,122

trips were provided to participants (by vans) during the year,

reflecting a 5% increase over previous year totals.

6. The Senior Recreation Program operates 26 senior centers around the

island serving over 2,600 participants. Major emphasis for the year

was placed on an international hula competition, line dancing, fun

walk, and Kupuna games. Other key activities included sports