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Attachment B for the 2023 PONC Suggestion Form
<br /> TO: Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource Preservation Commission
<br /> FROM: Ke Ala Kahawai `o Waimea PONC Committee on Behalf of the People of the District of
<br /> South Kohala, Council District 9, Hawai`i
<br /> RE: Ke Ala Kahawai 'o Waimea (Waimea Trails and Greenways)
<br /> Aloha Chair Deborah Chang and Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource Preservation
<br /> Commissioners,
<br /> We are honored to submit this application in support of the Ke Ala Kahawai 'o Waimea on
<br /> behalf of Waimea Trails and Greenways. The Waimea Trail is a longstanding and much beloved
<br /> grassroots community project that has grown to serve and connect Waimea residents and
<br /> visitors for almost 30 years thanks to the tireless work of thousands of hands.The Trail project is
<br /> now at an exciting juncture where community members, non-profits, government agencies,
<br /> ranchers, and business partners are at the negotiating table and ready to build on the work of
<br /> those who came before to complete the vision of Ke Ala Kahawai `o Waimea as a vibrant,
<br /> connected, greenway corridor for gathering, walking, biking, and sustaining our cherished rural
<br /> landscape and lifestyle for future generations. Mahalo for your consideration and service.
<br /> The proposed public acquisition of the identified easements and/or parcels in Attachment A,
<br /> will serve to expand and enhance the existing Ke Ala Kahawai `o Waimea for the benefit of the
<br /> South Kohala community, Waimea residents, and visitors to Hawaii island. Acquisition will
<br /> promote public safety, ease traffic congestion, encourage outdoor recreation, and invite
<br /> community education, as well as assisting in preserving expansive greenway corridors along the
<br /> Waikoloa and Keanu'i'omano streams, and historic and culturally significant lands within the
<br /> Lalamilo, Keanu'i`omano, 'Ouli, Kawaihae, Pu'ukapu, Waimea/WaikOloa ahupua'a, in the district
<br /> of South Kohala, Council District 9.
<br /> Our goal is to acquire approximately 90 acres of access easements across a land area of about
<br /> 20,000 acres and, where necessary, additional land to extend the existing Trail west (makai)
<br /> along the Waikoloa and Keanu'i'omano streams toward Queen Ka'ahumanu highway,to
<br /> eventually connect with the Ala Kahakai trail, and east (mauka)toward Kuhio Hale (see
<br /> Attachment A for relevant maps).The goal is to create a green corridor, which will provide an
<br /> accessible, non-vehicular pathway connecting residences, businesses, and the many schools in
<br /> the area (Waimea Elementary and Middle School, Kanu 'o ka `Aina, Punana leo `o Waimea,
<br /> Waimea Country School, Small World Preschool, Montessori Education School of Hawaii,
<br /> Kamehameha Preschool, Parker School, and Hawaii Preparatory Academy).The extension from
<br /> mauka to makai represents the realization of a long-term vision of a vital community-connected
<br /> trail system, which would be built in increments,that provides opportunities for exercise,
<br /> enjoying nature, and enhancing physical and mental health—where students safely ride their
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