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(e) Open Space Recreation Areas (f) Scenic Vistas and Viewplanes (g) General Use Conservation Sub-zones with Compatible Uses (h) Scientific Areas, including Habitats of Endemic Species"; and WHEREAS, in the Kona Community Development Plan adopted September 25, 2008 by Ordinance No. 08-131, Chapter 4 on Environmental Resources states the following strategies as described in 4.3.2 Overall Strategy: "1.a. Recognizing the Multi-Value Importance of the Mauka Lands. Before human contact, a band of wet native forest thrived, extending form sea level to 6,000 feet in elevation (Atlas of Hawai`i, 3`d Edition). Besides being a habitat for native species, this forest"absorbed much of the rain." This water that percolated into the ground and recharged the groundwater"reservoirs." As forests were cleared for pasture or other purposes, much of the rainfall that would have been absorbed now runs off the land surface. Recognizing the value of these mauka lands for its habitat, groundwater recharge, and stormwater management values, the objectives are to encourage the preservation of the forest that remains, the restoration of forest lands, as well as the innovative restoration of some of the innate functions of the cleared lands (e.g. dentention basins that mitigate surface flow and promote groundwater recharge)." WHEREAS, the Exceptional Trees Ordinance Act 105 was enacted by the Hawai`i State Legislature in 1975. This Act requires the counties, who possess primary control over land development, to safeguard the exceptional trees from injury or destruction. The listing process includes submission of a nomination form and presentation to the Mayor's Arborist Advisory Committees. "Exceptional Trees" by reason of age, rarity, location, size, aesthetic quality, endemic status or historical and cultural significance may be designated by the County Arborist Committee as worthy of preservation. Each of the ancient, massive `Ohi`a lehua trees on these parcels qualify to be submitted as "exceptional trees"; and WHEREAS, it is suggested that an application to the State of Hawai`i for a Big Tree designation and entry into that competition be submitted after acquisition; and 11