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Honorable Valerie T. Poindexter, Chairwoman and Members of the Hawaii County Council December 28, 2016 Page 4 The Honu Project is seeking $11,000 to pay for lodging and meals for an unspecified number of volunteers. This accounts for 44.6 percent of its total funding award. Its matching share would be in the form of in-kind labor contributions from the project coordinator, field technician and interns. The names, qualification and number of these individuals are not provided in the application. Section 10-16 (a) of the Hawaii County Charter regulates the maintenance fund. It states monies are for "maintenance of land and easements" and that the fund "will ensure that money is dedicated to preserve the land, promote public safety, and maintain a healthy stewardship." While implying that funding is to benefit the land and those who use it, section 10-16 (g) states that grant expenditures are presumed to be directly related to, among other things, conservation of native wildlife. The Honu Project's proposed project appears to comply with these provisions. It's narrow focus and scope increases the chances of successful completion. However, a lack of details relating to the specific skills of the individuals, including the project coordinator, leave me uncertain about recommending this applicant's ability to complete the project according to the project plan. Kawa, Ka`u, Hawaii TMKs: (3) 9-5-16:06 & 25; 9-5-17:05 &07 • Applicant Team Hawaii International Athletics is requesting a funding award of $354,190 that it would use for a project costing $384,190. Its matching share would be $30,000 or 7.8 percent of the total project cost. (Please note these numbers, taken from the group's application, differ from the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission's October 17, 2016, letter to the Department of Parks and Recreation.) Team Hawaii International Athletics submitted its application before the stated deadline and has provided the required documentation. According to its proposal, Team Hawaii International Athletics "was created mainly to offer sports to the youth in and around the Pana`ewa community" of Hilo. The group seeking to steward the subject land actually is Hui Nohona Hawaii, which the application describes as a social club under Team Hawaii International Athletics. Hui Nohona Hawaii states its members "have close ties to the Kawa Bay" and are very knowledgeable about Ka`u, but those members and their connections to this property are not stated in the application. They have participated in "mild" cleanups and restoration efforts. The group proposes to protect sacred areas, restore historical sites, ensure public access, and protect native plants and animals by eradicating invasive plants. No specifics are provided, however. Also proposed is the creation of a "learning zone for Hawaiian culture." Hui Nohona Hawaii proposes to build bathrooms and showers, designate an area for a lifeguard stand, and plan for other improvements to the subject property. This would conflict with Section 10-16 (g) of the Hawaii County Charter, which states, "Moneys in the maintenance fund shall not be used for County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.