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J�ZVfOf <br />COUNTY OF HAWAVI STATE OF HAWAIJ <br />�T�`•OF�N'� <br />RESOLUTION NO. 692 24 <br />A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO AWARD <br />FUNDS TO THE LEILANI ESTATES NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH THROUGH THE <br />GEOTHERMAL RELOCATION AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS PROGRAM FOR <br />IMPROVEMENTS TO LEILANI ESTATES COMMUNITY PARK. <br />WHEREAS, chapter 2, article 25, section 2-139(a)(3)(A) of the Hawaii County Code <br />1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), hereinafter "the Code," states that grant awards in excess of <br />$25,000 to nonprofit organizations shall specifically identify the organization receiving the grant <br />funds and the purpose for which the grant funds shall be used in a resolution; and <br />WHEREAS, chapter 2, article 25, section 2-136 of the Code defines "nonprofit <br />organization" as an organization that is registered and in good standing in the State of Hawaii as <br />a nonprofit organization and maintains a 501(c)(3) charitable designation from the Internal <br />Revenue Service; and <br />WHEREAS, Leilani Estates Neighborhood Watch (LENW) is a nonprofit organization <br />as defined above; and <br />WHEREAS, the 2018 Kilauea eruption significantly altered the landscape and <br />communities of Lower Puna, destroying Kapoho and severely impacting portions of Leilani <br />Estates; and <br />WHEREAS, the Leilani Estates Community Park serves as a vital public gathering place <br />and hub for recreation and emergency response, hosting community events, government <br />functions, and youth programs; and <br />WHEREAS, the Leilani Estates community is the neighborhood closest to Puna <br />Geothermal Ventures; and <br />WHEREAS, the Planning Department has approved the awarding of $435,000 from the <br />Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Fund to LENW to support the revitalization <br />efforts led by the Leilani Community Association to restore the Leilani Estates Community Park <br />to its pre -eruption functionality; and <br />WHEREAS, this one-time grant will fund critical repairs to park facilities, including a <br />longhouse, pavilion, pickleball and basketball courts, baseball fields, driving range, and <br />playground, ensuring the park remains safe, accessible, and fully functional for the residents of <br />Leilani Estates and neighboring Lower Puna communities; and <br />