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WHEREAS, the Manaka`a Fishing Village Property has exceptional cultural,
<br /> environmental, natural significance and value as it contains: 1.2 miles of sea cliffs known as the
<br /> Maniania Pali as well as the ancient Alaloa footpath which once encircled the island, also known
<br /> as the Alanui or the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail; and
<br /> WHEREAS, there are 22 documented cultural sites on the Manaka`a Fishing Village
<br /> Property in addition to the coastal Alaloa, including heiau, burials, lava tube habitation sites,
<br /> water collection caves with underground springs, ahu (altar), papamu (stone for the game
<br /> konane), and two mauka-makai trails, one that connects Waikapuna's shores with the foothills of
<br /> Na`alehu and the other that connects Na`alehu with the only path descending the pali to the
<br /> shoreline below; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the Property provides some of the best grazing lands in Ka`u with over 200
<br /> acres of deep Pahala Ash soil; Kuahiwi Ranch leases the property for cattle grazing and
<br /> specializes in local grass fed beef, marketing about 450,000 lbs of meat annually, contributing to
<br /> our local food security and Hawai`i Island's economic recovery and long term resiliency; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the bluffs along the Maniania Pali provide a protected habitat for native
<br /> coastal vegetation including nohu, nehe, `ilima papa, pa`u o hi`iaka, and kauna`oa; native
<br /> seabirds nest along the cliffs; and the nearshore area is home to endangered Hawaiian Hawksbill
<br /> and threatened green sea turtles, whales, endangered Hawaiian monk seals, diverse fish, limu
<br /> (seaweed), and crustacean and urchin populations; and
<br /> WHEREAS, preserving the Manaka`a Fishing Village Property will ensure a pristine
<br /> marine environment at the base of Maniania Pali and proper management will minimize soil
<br /> erosion, sedimentation, and runoff into the sea of Manaka`a; and
<br /> WHEREAS, it is the Ka`u community's longstanding dream to permanently preserve its
<br /> beloved coast to honor Ka`u's ancestors and allow all current and future generations to be
<br /> nourished by these coastal lands; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the nonprofits The Trust for Public Land and Ala Kahakai Trail
<br /> Association are in the process of raising funds to purchase, preserve, and protect the Manaka`a
<br /> Fishing Village Property, Ala Kahakai Trail Association is committed to community-based
<br /> management and stewardship, and Ala Kahakai Trail Association desires to grant a conservation
<br /> easement to the County of Hawaii in order to complete the conservation purchase, permanently
<br /> protect the Property, and provide public benefits; and
<br /> WHEREAS, in the interests of 1) preserving cultural and natural resources, 2)
<br /> facilitating managed public access and preserving portions of the Alaloa(Ala Kahakai National
<br /> Historic Trail), 3) protecting important agricultural lands, 4) protecting open space, and 5)
<br /> maintaining Ka`u's rural lifestyle and historical character, the County desires to acquire a
<br /> property interest in all or a portion of the Manaka`a Fishing Village Property, such as a
<br /> conservation easement; now, therefore,
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