2022-01-10 Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes - Approved

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II. ORAL TESTIMONY: CHR. KELEPOLO and members heard oral testimonies presented by: Ms. Debbie Hecht spoke on several changes to the administration of the 2% program and commented on three of the communications. She expressed the need to accelerate the process of acquisition, the process of Stewardship Grant awards, and monthly meetings. She gave a brief outline on how this might be achieved. She expressed the need to save time by not accepting repetitive nominations that have resolutions, and the need to fill a full-time position working only on the 2% fund. Ms. Sherri Hiraoka of Townscape, Inc. gave a brief update on the on-going process of both the Kahuku Coastal Resource Management Plan and the Waikapuna Resource Management Plan with a presentation (available upon request). She summarized the need for the management plan for these two County-owned parcels that was purchased with the Fund and partnering funding. Ms. Rose Schilt of the Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Botanical Gardens, spoke on Comm. 22- 003. She expressed concerns for projects that are delayed, due to grant funding being slow to award. She outlined the need to process grant funding and with this report, the fillable forms, and instructions, she hopes the work of the commission and Finance will speed up the process of the awarding grant funds timely. Ms. Toni Withington of the Kohala Groups expressed her appreciation for those who served on the permitted interaction group for the Mayor’s report. She gave a summary of how their past applications was held in limbo for over a year with Dept. of Parks and Recreation (P&R). Summing-up, the Kohala Groups are looking forward to the new application and instructions for this year’s filing. She emphasized the need for continual interaction between the applicant and County; and the need to speed the process of funding or reimbursement. Ms. Janet Britt of Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Botanical Gardens and praised the commission for their hard work of the new application and instructions. She contributed some suggestions to make the Stewardship Grant application more effective Ms. Maile Melrose of Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Botanical Gardens praised the commission for their work on the grant application and the importance of receiving funding in a timely manner. She explained that because of the delay in funding, another organization had to step in to pay the worker, and that it is critical to know when the funding would be released. Mr. Keoni Fox of Ala Kahakai Trails Association spoke on Comm. 22-004 and updates the commission on the progress and supporting the County of the resources management plan. They are very excited to engage with the first community meeting regarding the plan and hear from them. He summaries the need for a resource management plan and the importance of future stewardship. Ms. Karen Eoff of Kohonaiki 'Ohana gave a brief background of the organization and on-going stewardship efforts of O’oma Beach. She pointed out how critical the communication link is between the County and the groups regarding funding. Page 2 of 3