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COUNTY CLERK f� <br /> COUNTY OF HAWAII r <br /> RECEIVED '" wM1.4, (25 <br /> Times lb. 03 B7 <br /> Date 7 /7 <br /> March 7, 2017 <br /> Hakalau Point Preservation Association <br /> P.O. Box 109 <br /> Hakalau, Hawai'l 96720 <br /> Honorable Maile Medieros David, Chair, Finance Committee <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 <br /> RE: Resolution 87-17 Related to Hakalau Valley <br /> Chair David and Members of the County Finance Committee: <br /> Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of Resolution 87-17. I am Susan Forbes and <br /> live in Hakalau Plantation Village. Currently, I serve as President of the Hakalau Point <br /> Preservation Association which was formed last May to: <br /> 1. Provide support to Hawaii County in its efforts to acquire Hakalau Point to preserve this <br /> historically significant coastal land of natural beauty for public outdoor recreation and <br /> educational purposes. <br /> 2. Provide support for the establishment of a park on Hakalau Point to honor and <br /> commemorate the legacy of the sugar plantation workers who labored and lived along the <br /> Hamakua Coast of Hawaii for several decades. <br /> 3. Provide funds and other support to the County and its agents to maintain and sustain the <br /> proposed memorial park at Hakalau Point. <br /> 4. Provide funds and other support to help maintain the current County Park located below <br /> Hakalau Point at Hakalau Bay. <br /> 5. Support efforts to preserve and protect the habitat, scenic views, and natural beauty of <br /> Hakalau Point and its environs for the benefit of the public, and to discourage and oppose <br /> commercial activities and/or private development of Hakalau Point. <br /> Last year at this time, I testified before you in support of a similar resolution focused on <br /> Hakalau Point.As you know,the landowner,the Shropshire Group, LLC, stated its willingness to <br /> sell Hakalau Point to the County only in conjunction with Hakalau Valley. Subsequently,we <br /> submitted a suggestion to PONC that Hakalau Valley be acquired. My testimony in support of <br /> Resolution 87-17 is a continuation of that process, and our good faith effort to honor the <br /> landowner's requirements. <br /> Over the past three years, my husband and I have studied the history of Hakalau including <br /> Hawaiian as well as plantation history.We've included much of this history on the website <br /> www.hakalauhome.com. Hakalau Valley played an important role in Hawaiian history generally <br /> and the Battle of Hakalau in particular.Acquisition by the County enables, at a minimum,the <br /> protection of the Valley and honoring its history. If feasible, based on a thorough survey,we <br /> foram. No. ( ,) .. <br /> Ref. To: 71PC" <br /> Ref. Date MAR n 7 21117 <br />