HILO, Hawaii — Typically, few people, if any, attend the Hawaii County Council’s public hearing on the annual budget proposed by the mayor.

But council Chairman J Yoshimoto expects that to change Monday night when testimony will include comments on Mayor Billy Kenoi’s proposal to eliminate the Hilo-based Hawaii County Band and the West Hawaii Band. The move would save $347,000 by eliminating 34 positions in Hilo and 11 more in Kona.
Yoshimoto says he expects the proposal to generate a larger-than-normal turnout at the hearing, which he says “should be interesting.”
People may also comment on other parts of Kenoi’s $375 million budget request. In all, it seeks to cut spending by $11.7 million, eliminate 62 positions and furlough numerous county workers two days a month.
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Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, http://www.hilohawaiitribune.com