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aSlYY o"y Kalbert K.Young <br /> UNIVERSITY Vice President for Budget and Finance/ <br /> = 9 <br /> r Chief Financial Officer <br /> o f HAWAI I <br /> G ytr <br /> `PFgoK,A�p' SYSTEM <br /> 'Onaehana Kulanui o Hawai'i <br /> January 30, 2025 <br /> Via email: PONC@hawaiicounty.gov <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> Department of Finance <br /> Property Management Division <br /> 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1101 <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Re: University of Hawaii lands at Kumukahi, Kula Ahupua`a, Puna District, Island of <br /> Hawaii, State of Hawaii, Tax Map Key No. (3) 1-4-002: 092 <br /> To Whom It May Concern: <br /> This letter serves as the University of Hawai`i's ("University") support of the County of <br /> Hawai`i's ("County") initiative to provide preservation and conservation stewardship of <br /> lands at Kumukahi. The University currently has title to one parcel, Tax Map Key <br /> No. (3) 1-4-002: 092 ("Property") encompassing part of the coastline at Kumukahi. The <br /> University acknowledges that the County's initiative would entail a transfer of ownership <br /> to the County, and the University is also supportive of that approach. The transfer of <br /> ownership at Kumukahi is necessary for the County's Public Access, Open Space, and <br /> Natural Resources Preservation Commission ("PONC") Program which will create <br /> opportunities for comprehensive stewardship and preservation activities that ensure <br /> meaningful community participation. <br /> The University's property at Kumukahi had historically been used for educational and <br /> research purposes. These activities have ceased, and the University has no current or <br /> future plans for the Property. In recent years, the University has consulted with lineal <br /> descendants and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, which resulted in the preparation of a <br /> Burial Site Component of a Preservation Plan ("Preservation Plan") that was accepted by <br /> the State Historic Preservation Division in March 2023. The Preservation Plan identified <br /> numerous archaeological sites at Kumukahi, including on University lands. <br /> The University has been in discussions with the Department of Land and Natural <br /> Resources, the County of Hawaii, and other stakeholders over the last several years <br /> about consolidated ownership of Kumukahi to allow for effective stewardship and <br /> preservation of the area. The University would be intent on transferring the Property to <br /> 2444 Dole Street, Bachman Hall 201 <br /> Honolulu,Hawai'i 96822 <br /> Telephone:(808)956-8903 Fax:(808)956-5286 <br /> An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution <br />