MIN CHARTER 2019-08-08 (2018-2020)

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Hawai`i County Charter Commission -14 August 8, 2019 Land Fund will only increase in value over time. CA -18 provides flexibility and helps assure that there will be resources available for stewardship indefinitely. The proposed improvement to the language of CA -18 recognizes the reality that stewardship organizations simply do not have the kind of consistent resources needed to steward protected lands with volunteers over many decades, let alone centuries, without some of our work being paid for by the County. But the opposite is also true, the proposed language also gives the County flexibility when times are tough and staffing is tight, to use non-profit stewardship organizations to supplement and extend the work of paid staff. We all hear people say "why should the County Acquire more land, it doesn't take care of what it already has." The flexible approach contemplated by the proposed changes to CA -18, means that the County will have additional resources to bring to bear on stewarding its land. We will deliver our protected lands to future generations in better condition for their use and enjoyment. Thanks very much. CHR. ADAMS: Thank you. Uh, Ms. Hecht, you're next. If I could ask Mr. Warshauer please to come to the table. DEBBIE HECHT: Communication No. 35.54 in support. MS. HECHT: My name is Debbie Hecht. I have been the unpaid volunteer coordinator for the Save our Lands Citizen's Committee since 2005, advocating for the 2% Land Fund Program. If you decide to incorporate the language proposed by Maile... uh, Council Members David and Eoff, this could be the last time we will see each other. So I wanted to make sure to thank you for your service to the people of the County of Hawai `i. And a very big mahalo to Maile David and Karen Eoff for bringing this modification to CA -18 forward. Please ask them questions. They certainly know what they were doing. It was amazing at the County Council meeting, this amendment was approved unanimously. The Council listened to the people. I think it is amazing that anything is approved unanimously in this day and age, so it was impressive. I know you have heard many times that 63% of people approved of the land fund three times, but I am not sure that you know that 63% of people also approved the maintenance fund. And why is there a maintenance fund? Over and over again we heard from people "Why should we buy more land if we can't care for what we have?" That is a good question. The County told us that they couldn't care for these lands. Who are the boots on the ground that were caring for the lands, are the people that originally advocated for the purchases and have been doing the work over and over again since those purchases. Whole kuleana communities have developed around these lands. It's really an incredible byproduct that none of us ever anticipated, but it is really heartening to see the communities built around these lands. Page 5