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<br />COUNTY OF HAWAI'I <br /> <br /> <br />STATE OF HAWAI'I <br /> <br />RESOLUTION NO. <br /> <br />1.78 09 <br /> <br />A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO ENTER INTO <br />NEGOTIATIONS FOR ACQUISITION OF TMK(s) 1-3-1:74 AND 1-3-1:83, KNOWN AS <br />THE PAHOA STEAM VENTS, IN THE DISTRICT OF PUNA PURSUANT TO <br />CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE 36, OF THE HAW AI'I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2005 EDITION, <br />AS AMENDED). <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Chapter 2, Article 36, of the Hawai'i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, As <br />Amended), established the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Program; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 10-12, Hawai'i County Charter, the special fund known <br />as the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits Fund is administered by the planning <br />department; and I <br /> <br />WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 36, Section 2-181(5), allowable expenditure <br />for public purposes relating to the Geothermal Relocation and Community Benefits program <br />includes expenditure for land acquisition by way of appropriation adoption by the Hawai'i <br />County Council after receipt of recommendations from the Planning Director; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, in 1978, the people of Hawai'i emphasized the importance of protecting <br />Hawai'i's natural beauty by adding Article XI, Section 1, to the Constitution of the State of <br />Hawai'i, which states "For the benefit of present and future generations, the State and its <br />political subdivisions shall conserve and protect Hawai'i's natural beauty and all natural <br />resources..."; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the Pahoa Steam Vents possess exceptional value for the Big Island as their <br />purchase will leave Hawai'i well positioned to attract tourist dollars as the awe inspiring beauty <br />of these natural steam saunas are very popular among visitors to Hawai'i; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the issue of insurance and liability is addressed by Act 152 which affords <br />liability protections and reduces the exposure of the State and County governments to keep <br />recreational area and public beach parks with potentially dangerous natural conditions open to <br />the public; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Act 82 provides for a system of warning signs to increase public safety, in <br />turn protecting the County from unlimited liability arising out of recreational activities on public <br />lands; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the preservation of the Pahoa Steam Vents property will continue to foster a <br />healthier community, increase quality of life and recreation sustainability for generations to <br />residents and visitors of the Big Island of Hawai'i; now, therefore <br />