2019-03-11 Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes-Approved

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She invites the PONC Commission to visit what the 276 volunteers have done by removing over 1300 lbs. of sea trash and removal of over 2000 lbs. of invasive species of plants. She continues to highlight aspects of her report and the achievements of their non-profit in restoration pro- jects. She also supports Comm. 19-027, Manaka’a Fishing Village in Kau. She is well versed in its importance. Debbie Hecht, a campaign leader, and organizer; testifies in support of Comm. 19-007, 008, 009, and 011 to save the 2% Preservation Fund and the .25% Maintenance Fund. She gives a brief summary of her involve- ment with its induction. She invites the commission and public to show support for the funds by working with the Charter Commission to keep the funds as is, create an additional full-time position within Finance, and give public testimonies at the Charter Commission’s island-wide public meetings. Barry Stone, a public safety officer, testifies in support of Comm. 19-024 He gives a brief testimony of the current traffic conditions in the area and how the development project would cause safety concerns. He is in support of PONC acquisition of these parcels in open space which would create a buffer zone. Clifton Walters, Pualani Estates resident, testifies in support of Comm. 19- 024. He lives in the subdivision below and is very concern of the flooding and drainage issue if the property is developed and the magnitude of the “gushing stream” flowing past his property down towards the ocean. He says leaving it in open space would be a good thing. Let’s not de- velop it. Joel Gimpel, President of Pualani Estates Association and retired lawyer testifies in support of Comm. 19-024. He gives a brief statement regarding the present concerns addressed by the Planning Department to the de- velopers and appraisal value of the land in its present state. He is in sup- port of the open space acquisition as it would help with traffic and safety concerns. Mark Powell, submitter and nearby resident, testifies in support of Comm. 19-024. He summarizes highlights of the archeological survey of May 2018: old farming villages built in like “terrace-like” set up; burial sites in the old lava tubes(located in the north part of the property); two watersheds; and endangered species: the Hoary Bats, the Pueo (Hawaiian Owl), the ‘Io (Hawaiian Hawk), and the Giant Moths. Major concerns are that there are multiple active nesting areas for the bats. He is in support of preserv- ing this land, especially the upper northern parcel (17). Janet Britt, submitter and member of the Friends for Amy Greenwell, testi- fies in support of Comm. 19-021, gives a brief introduction, and her sym- pathy for the Commissioner Nazara. She briefs the commission of the re- cent developments regarding funding. They were successful and re- ceived a Legacy Land Grant of $750,000, a Community Forest Grant of $550,000, an Atherton Family Foundation Grant of 100,000, and have ap- plied for a Cooke Grant. They have ordered an appraisal that confirms the purchase of this acquisitions and they are short with funding if, the appraisal is more than $1,400, 000. They submitted their application in Hawai’i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Page 2 of 6