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conducting environmental research, supporting community-driven management efforts, and <br /> initiating advocacy campaigns. We have been working to protect native wildlife and restore <br /> coastal / nearshore ecosystems across the Hawaiian Archipelago for the past 28 years with <br /> community and partner support. <br /> The HWF team has worked with the volunteer Board members and Co-founders of Ho'ala <br /> Kealakekua Nui, and other state (DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, Hawaii State Parks, and <br /> Division of Conservation & Resources Enforcement), and community/ nonprofit partners, <br /> including but not limited to The Nature Conservancy and Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail staff <br /> members, and several ecotourism operators for many months to vision and create a Community <br /> Action Plan (CAP) for the Kealakekua area. This proposal to both purchase and steward the <br /> Kokua Kealakekua parcel is in alignment with this CAP, and will allow Ho'ala Kealakekua Nui <br /> (HKN) team members be better situated to co-manage the people (hundreds of visitors logged <br /> daily!), plants and animals that use this trail corridor to access to the Bay, while simultaneously <br /> working to better protect native wildlife and cultural sites, and perpetuate cultural traditions and <br /> provide more opportunities for island community members to form relationships with this 'aina. <br /> Furthermore, the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) has long been an ally to community groups in <br /> securing lands for conservation on island. As such and for all the named reasons and those <br /> unwritten, we are in total support of this proposal! <br /> In summary, HWF supports the purchase and protection efforts as laid out by HKN and TPL for <br /> K®kua Kealakekua. Thank you for considering this support letter. Should you have any questions, <br /> please contact me at.megan@wildhawaii.org. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Megan Lamson Leatherman, M. Sc. <br /> Hawai'i Wildlife Fund, President and Hawai'i Program Director <br /> megan@wildhawaii.org I (c) 808-217-5777 1 (w) 808-769-7629 (HWF Marine Debris Hotline) <br /> 7 <br /> Bill Gilmartin, HWF Co-founder and Director <br /> of Research, Emeritus bill.HWF@gmail.com Hannah Bernard, HWF Co-founder and <br /> Executive Director hannah@wildhawaii.org <br /> www.wildkawaii.org <br />