2019-07-08 Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes-Approved

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presses her gratitude to the commission and county staff for their ef- forts, ranking, and supporting Amy Greenwell acquisition soon to close. John M. Powell submitter of Comm. 19-024, Kona Village Rezone 470 (KVR 470), does a presentation with a map and a nine-page handout (both on file) regarding the cultural (artifacts, Heiau, etc.), farming (food terraces), historical (double walls), and wildlife (recent sight- ings of two owls) significance of the potential developed site. He en- courages the commission to consider these facts when scoring. Joel Gimpel, President of the Pualani Estates Homeowners Associa- tion, testifies in support of Comm. 19-024 KVR 470. He gives reasons for future acquisition that meets all five criteria for open space, preservation and protection of natural resources preservation (water- sheds, agricultural terraces, and historical sites, while providing edu- cational opportunities). The acquisition will also improve public ac- cess in the area. He testifies that the association voted unanimously to accept long-term support of open space and preservation and adopted the concept. They have a Pualani Historical Society that presently takes care of the Keau Kukui’ula Heiau. He says that the present owners’ intent is not to sell. Pat Van Every lives in Pualani Estates and testifies in support of Comm. 19-024 KVR470 and she saw the Pueo (Owls) and the Hoary Bats flying living in the area. She is concern about what will happen to their habitat. If the property was developed, she is concern about the diversion of water and the existence of the watersheds. Diane Blancett-Maddoch, an adjacent owner, testifies in support of Comm. 19-024 KVR 470, read her testimony (not on file) and pre- sented a plat map of the properties. Her testimony focuses on the im- minent dangers of development, loss of historical values, and wildlife habitat. She gives an example of what happens when the city, county, and state get together to preserve open space parks serve as a haven to all. She emphasized that Hawaii Island can preserve open spaces for the present, future, and into the next century. David Blancett-Maddoch, husband of Diane and adjacent owner, tes- tifies in support of Comm. 19-024, KVR 470. He expresses his concerns about the progress of developmental issues, selling price, and an un- willing seller. He testifies in support of preserving open space and the importance to the community. Dr. Kate Kealani Winter, Professor of Emeritus at the University of Al- bany now works with the University of Hawaii and the Kona Historical Society. As co-chair for the Heiau Keau Kukui Ula Committee of Pualani Estates. She testifies in support of Comm. 19-024 KVR 470. She read her two-page testimony with an attached map (on file) that PONC July 8, 2019 Minutes Hawai’i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Page 2 of 7