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WHEREAS, acquisition of Wai'ele would be significant to the County of Hawaii for the following reasons: 1. Preservation of historic and culturally important lands and sites that promote the perpetuation of native Hawaiian culture, tradition, and customary practices; 2. Preservation and protection of remaining native Hawaiian archeological structures and raised trails in an area that has been undisturbed since the 1880s; 3. Protection of one of the last hala groves in the area; 4. Access for shoreline gathering, fishing, education, recreation, and cultural practices, mainly lauhala and la'au lapa'au; and WHEREAS, the old coastal village of Wai'ele in the ahupua'a of Kanekiki, situated between Ndndwale Forest Reserve and Kahuwai, totals 165 acres with 2,000 feet of shoreline, and contains sacred treasures such as fresh water springs, rare groves of kukui, hau and hala trees, an ancient p6haku (stone) trail walked upon by Alii, the endangered 'io (Hawaiian hawk) and '6pe'ape'a (Hawaiian bat), the rare pueo (Hawaiian owl), and ancient Hawaiian burial sites; and WHEREAS, authorization to negotiate for acquisition of Wai'ele using the Fund was previously adopted through Resolution 286-07, sponsored by then -Council Member Emily Naeole, but significant time has lapsed, the parcel has yet to be acquired, and the Council seeks to reestablish this authorization; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 42 of the Code, the Director of Finance is hereby authorized to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of Wai'ele, identified as tax map key numbers (3) 1-4- 003:003 and (3) 1-4-003:037, in the district of Puna, utilizing the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the acquisition of Wai'ele would honor the life and legacy of Ren6 Siracusa, who founded Malama 0 Puna, a non-profit volunteer service organization dedicated to protecting the precious natural resources and heritage of Hawaii, and who was pivotal in placing Wai'ele onto the Commission's priority list. N