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HEATHEJ2 L.1iCf JgAJjL _ Pkj": (8-M)9b ANN <br /> - Fax: (AV)961.8917 <br /> cdmm[g Ew"Wel 1(Mtfh H16- - Email:!,(eLaAk�I; JItlG �fO-^�RH�JL4�El R1-" <br /> Hcametklaz ubdpdN20H of athJe trJ <br /> HA AH COUNTY COUNCIL <br /> 25AapomiSa i.Ere-1402. <br /> HAo.HaGu d 7 96720 <br /> January 21,2026 <br /> Public Open Space and Natural R-esoarces Conservation Commission <br /> Department of planning <br /> RE, PONC Nomination Letter of Support—Ka'awali'i Gulch <br /> Aloha Chair and Members of the Public Open Space and Natural Resources Conservation <br /> Commission, <br /> am writing in strung support of the proposed acquisition of Ko awali`i 13tr1ch through the <br /> County of Hawai`i's public Open Space and Natural Resources Conservation(PONC)Fund <br /> Program-.As the Hawaii County Council Member representing District I,1 believe this <br /> acquisition represents an exceptional and time-sensitive opportunity to preserve a place of <br /> extraordinary natural cultural,historical and community value for present and future <br /> generations. <br /> Ka`awali'i Gulch is a rare and irreplaceable rnmAa-makai resource that embodies the very <br /> purpose of the PONC program-i.ocated along a rugged stretch of coastline where public ocean <br /> access is extremely]united,this area provides one of the few remaining opportunities to secure <br /> permanent public access to forest,stream,estuary,and shoreline resources along the North Hilo- <br /> H3m&ua coast-Community members have long retied on Ka'awati`i for fishing,gathering, <br /> swimming,surfing,hiking,and cultural practices,despite increasingly constrained access due to <br /> private ownership and gated roads. <br /> The gulch and shoreline are deeply embedded in Hawai`i's cultural and historical landscape- <br /> Ka`awali'i lies at the makai junction of the Humu`uta ahupua'a and historic mauka-makai trail <br /> systems,including alignments of the Ata Loa and Waipunalei Trail that once connected coastal <br /> settlements to the uplands of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.These corridors supported centuries of <br /> agricultural productiov,ceremonial travel,canoe building,fishing,and inter-district exchange- <br /> Preserving Ka'awali'i therefore protects cot only physicat resources,but also the integrity of <br /> living cultural landscape that continues to shape conununlly ideffity and practice today. <br /> Hawal i Couelp is aK Egu al 0ppor1uxfrP Pmwder amd Empfo}tr. <br /> Sugg.26-02 27 <br />