2020-12-31 (2020 PONC Annual Report to the Mayor)

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PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION (PONC). The Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources PreservationCommission consists of nine members, each serving a five-year term. The Commission’s purpose: To develop an initial island-wide prioritized list of qualifying lands worthy of preservation and submit it to the mayor. Priorities shall be listed on an island- wide rather than district basis. The list shall include the significance of each parcel or entitlement, identified the reason for its priority, and its anticipated use after acquisition. To update this list at any time, but at least annually by December 31 of each year. To explore methods of funding for conservation easements or land acquisition and make recommendations to the mayor. The commission shall give emphasis to conservation easements or land acquisitions where the County’s contribution can be leveraged to obtain State, Federal, and/or private FUNDs. To review and make recommendations to the Department of Parks and Recreation (P&R) Stewardship Grants Request applications for stewardship grants to provide grants-in-aid for public safety maintenance and preservation of lands acquired by the FUND as stipulated in the Hawai‘i County Charter, Article 10, Section 10-16 (h). Hinahina is a native plant used to guide fishermen and is known to be tended to by Kohala PREAMBLE families throughout the Kohala co background. Photo courtesy of Hawaiian Island Land Trust