RES 332 Draft 01 2012-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, this property has been used informally for over 50 years as a park, hosting softball games and numerous community events, including the well-attended Kohala Fair (2,500 - 4,000 attendees), the very successful Hawi Farmer's Market, concerts, and popular classes such as hula, tai chi, etc.; and WHEREAS, preserving this property will maintain the ocean view from the Hawi Farmer's Market and protect the landscape of the neighboring banyan trees that meet the County's criteria for exceptional trees (a tree or grove of trees with historic or cultural value, or which by reason of its age, rarity, location, size, aesthetic quality, or endemic status has been designated by the Council as worthy of preservation); and WHEREAS, local community groups and merchants are committed to assisting with managing the area through a Friends of the Park agreement with the County; and WHEREAS, preserving this property ensures recreational opportunities for both residents of Hawai`i and tourists; and WHEREAS, the property to be acquired is 0.91 acres and covered by Tax Map Key (3) 5-5-015:042, as shown in the attached "Exhibit A"; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the Director of Finance is hereby authorized to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of the Banyan Trees Park Area property in North Kohala, Tax Map Key (3) 5-5-015:042, pursuant to the terms of this resolution. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Finance is authorized to initiate any funding mechanisms required for the acquisition of the Banyan Trees Park Area property in accordance with Chapter 2, Article 42 of the Hawai`i County Code, relating to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawai`i County Council welcomes individuals who are willing to share their expertise and engage with others in an open process to form a new nonprofit or to create a Friends of the Park agreement solely dedicated to the management of the Banyan Trees Park Area property. 2