RES 486 Draft 01 2022-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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$3,000,000 to purchase `Anaeho`omalu Kapalaoa, providing a significant amount of matching funding; and WHEREAS, Section 2-218(a) of the Code provides, in pertinent part, that "[t]he council shall, by resolution, select the land or lands to be preserved..."; and "[w]here there are multiple lands under consideration at any one time,priority shall be given to coastal lands and lands where matching funding is available to leverage the County contribution"; and WHEREAS, the `Anaeho`omalu Kapalaoa Property is an exceptional cultural and natural landscape, containing Keahualono Heiau and Hi`iakaika`ale`i Heiau; ancient habitation and cave complexes;petroglyph fields; mauka-to-makai and coastal trail networks; ecosystems with endemic flora and fauna, including pristine anchialine pools teeming with `opae `ula(native shrimp); and public access to the southern shoreline of`Anaeho`omalu Bay for sustenance fishing, gathering, and other cultural practices; and WHEREAS, the acquisition of title or a conservation easement for `Anaeho`omalu Kapalaoa would be significantly beneficial to the County of Hawai`i for the following reasons: (1) To safeguard invaluable cultural and natural resources; (2) To preserve undeveloped coastal and beachfront land; (3) To protect native species and their natural habitats; (4) To maintain fresh water springs and anchialine ponds; (5) To facilitate safe, legal, and responsibly-managed public access; (6) To enable descendant- and community-based management and stewardship; and (7) To perpetuate the lifestyle, culture, and history of Pu'uanahulu; and WHEREAS, the current landowner has expressed interest in a preservation sale of the property, providing the County with a special opportunity for acquisition and management; and WHEREAS, several community stakeholders, including Na `Oiwi 0 Pu'uanahulu, Hui Aloha Kiholo, and the Ala Kahakai Trail Association have signaled support to work in various capacities with the County, the landowner, lineal descendants, and the broader community to secure, establish, and maintain this proposed acquisition in order to perpetuate and protect the cultural and natural resources of the area; now,therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I 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 lands or a conservation easement for all or a portion of the property identified as tax map key (3) 7-1-003:010, also known as `Anaeho`omalu Kapalaoa, situated in the ahupua'a of Pu'uanahulu, district of Kona, utilizing the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. 2