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Honorable Valerie T. Poindexter, Chairwoman and Members of the Hawaii County Council December 28, 2016 Page 5 planning, design, development, or construction of new buildings, facilities, or infrastructure. ..." Hui Nohona Hawaii also seeks to create a plan to protect plants, eradicate invasive plants, and create an educational plan that would involve partnering with schools, youth groups, church groups, and other organizations. A final component would involve planning for and holding "events." No details about what would be protected or removed, with whom the group would partner, or what type of events would be held and their relevance to the property is provided. While other applicants have proposed equipment or repairs for existing vehicles, Hui Nohona Hawaii is seeking $160,000 for two Ford F350 diesel trucks. This appears to be excessive and more costly than the current market value of these vehicles. Also, its matching share of 7.8 percent of the total project cost is well below that of both other applicants and the typical amount for grant awards. Due to the vagueness of its application, the group's background and the high cost of its proposal, I cannot recommend Hui Nohona Hawaii has the ability to complete its project according to the project plan. (The Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission voted unanimously not to support this application.) Waipi`o Lookout, Hamakua, Hawaii TMK: (3) 4-8-04:06 • Applicant Pohaha I Ka Lani is requesting a funding award of $94,500 that it would use for a project costing $194,500. Its matching share would be $100,000 or 51.4 percent of the total project cost. Pohaha I Ka Lani submitted its application before the stated deadline and has provided the required documentation. Pohaha I Ka Lani is currently stewarding this land under a 2014 Hawaii County Open Space and Natural Resources Maintenance Fund grant award, which remains the only granted under the County program. Progress has been impressive, and the group has complied with the terms of its grant award. Pohaha I Ka Lani also has a stewardship history involving other land in nearby Waipi`o Valley. It has partnered with numerous area groups and has members with significant ties to the area and credentials. Its current request would build on its ongoing work, specifically implementation of both a native revegetation plan and educational plan. It also seeks to continue using the property as a community gathering place to host education classes, workshops and weekend camps. According to its application, community surveys would be conducted to identify the types of events that residents desire. Hawaiian core values of aloha, kuleana, malama aina and others would be guiding principles, while Hawaiian language would be preferred form of communication. As it stated in its original application, Pohaha I Ka Lani still feels the subject property is well suited to serve as a "Hawaiian learning zone, protecting Waipi`o Valley and its rim from the ever-increasing onslaught of visitors to the valley." Offering authentic Hawaiian hands-on experiences at the subject property would, County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.