Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center presentation at Aliamanu/Salt Lake/Foster Village Neighborhood Board Meeting

Excerpt from:
ALIAMANU/SALT LAKE/FOSTER VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2006
ALIAMANU MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA

Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center- Robin Martin, Vice Principal, Moanalua High School presented drawings of the proposed project and reported that they needed more space for their annual concerts. Their “Aloha Concert” is held at the Neal Blaisdell Center. There is a high cost for transporting the instruments and students. They proposed to build the Performing Arts Center on the area near the ball field, where the portable classrooms are now. There would be 700 people on the main level and 300 people in the balcony.

When Board member Mark Taylor asked about funding in the Legislature, Martin replied it is the number one priority for the Moanalua High School principal.

When Board member Glanstein asked about the specifics in the Legislature, Martin replied that unfortunately, they were supposed to meet with the Legislature, but were rained out. It would be available to non-profits. The $1 million for parking is still in the budget.

Resident Shima mentioned holding concerts at Farrington High School or Castle High School. Vice Chair Pepper mentioned needs on Kauai and that he opposed the motion. Board member Yomes was in favor. Board member Glanstein was in favor.

Board member Mark Taylor moved and Board member Minnie Brazell seconded that the Aliamanu/Salt Lake/Foster Village Neighborhood Board No. 18 supports the construction of the Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center and that this sentiment be conveyed to the Hawaii State Legislators. The motion carried, 6-1-0. Vice Chair Pepper voted “No.”


The minutes of this meeting in its entirety can be found here:

NB18 Minutes from April 13, 2006

Support the Moanalua Performance Arts Center

Please also pass this message on to any Moanalua Alumni or parents of children attending Moanalua or any of the feeder elementary and middle schools.

Please Help Support Moanalua High School!

Please ask alumni and community supporters to support the building of a new Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center by contacting our legislators and urging lawmakers to vote for and approve the funding necessary for the (1) design and (2) construction of the facility. They can call, email, or fax a positive message of support.

Senator Norman Sakamoto
Email: sensakamoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
Fax: 586-8588
Voice: 586-8585

Representative Glenn Wakai
Email: repwakai@capitol.hawaii.gov
Fax: 586-6221
Voice: 586-6220

Senator Robert Bunda, President
Email: senbunda@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Brian Taniguchi, Chairperson Ways & Means
Email: sentaniguchi@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Shan Tsutsui, Vice Chair Ways & Means
Email: sentsutsui@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep Calvin Say, Speaker of the House
Email: repsay@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep Dwight Takamine, Chair Finance
Email: reptakamine@capitol.hawaii.gov


They may share the following important key points:

1. Research supports that the study of music and the arts leads to higher level thinking, the development of intellectual skills, perseverence, initiative, and the pursuit of excellence in students.

2. Moanalua High School has the largest high school music program in the Hawaii public schools (over five hundred students) and it does not have an auditorium.

3. The music program at Moanalua High School is exemplary and the quality of the program directly affects student achievement of students in all other areas.

4 The Moanalua High School Music Program is still growing - there is an urgent need for more facilities.

5. No high school in the Central District has an auditorium - building an auditorium at Moanalua High School would support the needs of the Central District.

6. There are legitimate safety and fire code concerns about the large and over flowing crowds when the school has to rent other far away facilities.

7. An auditorium facility at Moanalua High School would be used by the school community for important community activities and events.

8. Other reasons that you may want to include.

Thank you!

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CURRENT RESEARCH ON THE VALUE OF MUSIC EDUCATION

FROM "MUSIC AND THE INTELLECT" by Liora Bresler Phi Delta Kappan
September 2005 pages 24-31

Studies show a connection between the study of the "arts" and intellect. Intellect is defined as the qualities, skills, and sensibilities we expect in real life intelligence of business people, physicians, educators, and scholars. These include the ability to set goals, to show initiative, to go beyond a formula, to persevere, to be fully involved, and to strive to do one's best. These abilities grow out of complex tasks that call for higher level thinking, a sense of ownership, and a sense of pride in one's work. The study of music is an inherently intellectual activity.

When it comes to talent development, the arts education community has always had a little secret that is generations, if not centuries, ahead of the rest of the field of education: expose young people to a variety of forms and modes of expression, give them opportunities to explore and perform in their areas of interest, provide resources and encouragement that escalates their levels of technique, performance, and attitude ... Joseph Renzulli

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