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

Home

regeneration of the Sandalwood roots. Surrounded by Kamehameha Schools and conservation easements, there will be approx. 50,000 acres of native Hawaiian forest in preservation forever. Wade C. Lee, the landowner testifies in support of Comm. 19-025, Haloa ‘Ᾱ ina, gives a brief background of his family ties to the prop- erty, his education (Biology), work experience (Faculty member of the Colorado Fish and Wildlife Division and Honokaa; Honokaa DOE Adm., and Consultant for U.S. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife), and family ties to the community. He gives an excerpt of how the land was managed and used for the past 150 yrs. before they were able to buy back their Kuleana land. He testifies that Ho’okano Ranch below is gone and is now known as Ho’okano Highlands. With the growing eco- nomic pressure, he assures the commission that these lands will never be subdivided or developed with a conservation easement. It is this “belief that if you take care of the ‘Aina, the ‘Aina will take care of your Ohana.” Shane Nelson, a cultural practitioner, testifies and asks the commis- sion that they make the proper decisions regarding the request made in Comm. 19-040, Letter from Zendo Kern. He reminds the iteration of the government process and considers the importance of cultural practices and the government’s obligation. He stresses the need for a more thorough archeological survey on the Comm. 1-024, KVR 470 and points out the Supreme Court supports cultural practices. Renee Inaba testifies in support of Comm. 19-025, Haloa ‘Ᾱ ina and gives a personal account on how the Great Sandalwood forest in Waikōloa was lost to greed. She expresses her admiration to the ef- forts of the Lee Family trying to bring back to the ‘‘Ᾱ ina, that which was lost to fires, greed, and ranching. III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: Motion to accept and file (Accepted and Filed) CHR. TOMICH being no further testimonies, closed statements from the public and directed the commission to proceed to the next order of business, written communications: motion to accept and file Comm. 19-040 thru Comm. 19-044 Motion: MS. WELLS FISCHER moved to accept and file Comm. 19-040 to 044, seconded by DR. FRANK, being no discussions, CHR. TOMICH calls for a verbal vote, all members present voted aye, motion car- ried. IV. APPROVAL OF March 11, 2019 MINUTES: Motion to Approve (Approved) CHR. TOMICH: moves to the next item on the agenda and calls on the commission for approval of the minutes. PONC July 8, 2019 Minutes Hawai’i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Page 4 of 7