MIN CHARTER 2019-04-01 (2018-2020) - Public Hearing

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Hawai`i County Charter Commission — Public Hearing April 1, 2019 certainly want to see it. And we can have a look to see how this fund could be managed going forward. I think I will leave it at that. Thank you. CHR. ADAMS: Thank you. Ann Kobsa, if you could please come forward. Great. Go ahead sir. DIGA KERN: Proposal No. CA -9 and CA -18 in support. MR KERN: My name is Diga Kern and I am going to address the PONC fund in general so maybe just some guiding thoughts about that and then specifically about CA -9 and CA -18. For the past 25 years I have worked in regenerative agriculture and alternative children's education ecosystem restoration in Puna. And I voted for the original PONC proposal in 2006 and in 2010, and in 2012. I serve my local community (inaudible) as a Board member and I volunteer time regularly caring for the forests and coastal lands of our region. So regarding the PONC program, I really maintain that the strongest reason for maintaining the original spirit of the program is the 63% of voters again and again over the course of eight years basically committed ourselves to these protections. Apparently Big Island voters feel strongly that the natural beauty of our island should be protected and are willing to commit a full two percent of our property taxes toward this cause, so I ask that you seriously and honestly honor this commitment. Also in terms of amendments that may be produced in the coming months, so what is that spirit? Well, three elements I would say or attributes, one, that the lands are held in perpetuity, this is the only way that we citizens can meaningfully look our children in the eyes and say we are protecting the land for use by future generations, and this is the only way that we will continue to seek matching funds for the purchase of these properties, which I see as a powerful mechanism in which tax dollars can be used as leverage for conservation action. Second, that no less than two percent of property taxes be maintained as a baseline funding amount for the program, and three, that the fund cannot be accessed for any use other than expenses directly related to purchase and maintenance of targeted lands. So I ask that you not allow any proposed amendments which violate this spirit, to advance beyond a first reading of this body. And regarding this... oh, additionally, you are currently considering two amendments which strengthen and enhance this spirit of the program. So CA -18, I think is really excellent. It will lubricate the ability of public and NGO's (Non -Governmental Organizations) to get boots on the ground caring for PONC acquisitions. I live in an area where partnerships among a half dozen community 501(c)(3)'s have managed volunteer networks doing invasive species control and restoration work in the forest Page 7