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C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. <br />Mayor <br />William V. Brilhante, Jr. <br />Managing Director <br />Deborah Chang, Chair <br />Janet Britt, Vice Chair <br />Amedeo Markoff <br />Jodie Rosam <br />County of Hawaii <br />PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES <br />PRESERVATION COMMISSION <br />25 Aupuni Street- Suite No. 1101 - Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4245 <br />Phone (808) 961-8069 - Fax (808) 961-8248 <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Diane Nakagawa, Director, Finance Department <br />FROM: Deborah Chang, Chair, Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources <br />Preservation Commission <br />DATE: January 29, 2026 <br />SUBJECT: Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission <br />2026 Stewardship Grant Request Review & Recommendation <br />Pursuant to Hawaii County Code §2-217(4) & (5), the Public Access, Open Space and Natural <br />Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) is submitting its recommendations to the Director <br />of Finance for Stewardship Grant Applications submitted for the 2026-2027 application period. <br />A total of nine applications were received by the deadline of August 31, 2025. One application <br />was disqualified due to noncompliance with Article 25 Section 2-137 of the Hawaii County <br />Code, regarding compensation to members of nonprofit organization governing boards. Two <br />applications were not recommended: one for failure to meet the requirements of the Hawaii <br />County Code and Charter, and the other for failure to demonstrate, at this time, sufficient <br />capacity to support the intended purpose of the PONC property. <br />The PONC Commission held regular meetings on November 10, 2025, and January 12, 2026, to <br />review the applications. During these meetings, the Commission received public testimony and <br />held discussions with applicants, allowing for questions and clarifications regarding the <br />applications. After thorough review and discussion, the Commission voted to recommend the <br />following grant applications for approval: <br />a. Application: STU.26-02 <br />Applicant: Kohanaiki `Ohana <br />Property: `O`oma <br />Tax Map Key: (3) 7-3-009:004 <br />Project Name: Malama `O`oma Stewardship Project <br />Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider <br />