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Former sugar lands in Ka`u and elsewhere on Hawaii Island have been subdivided and sold as agricultural lots with the resulting introductions of alien pest species being well-documented and detrimental to the adjacent State and privately-owned and managed native forest biota (Hawai`i Invasive Species Council, https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/ last visited on 3 January, 2025) . Wind, solar, and hydroelectric developments in the area have resulted in the death of native birds and bats (American Bird Conservancy, https://abcbirds.org/to-protect-birds-and-bats-from- wind-turbines-adopt-hawaiis-approach/ last visited on 3 January, 2025), and water withdrawal threatens surface and sub-surface stream flow in the seasonally and lowlands of Ka`u. The Hilea Property has three water sources and maintains water rights to a water source on TNC's upslope property. If TNC does not acquire the property, these vital waters may be diverted in a manner that would adversely impact ESA-listed species in the area and downstream at Kawa Bay. Diversion of water for non-agriculture use also threatens local ranching operations that have traditionally drawn from these water sources and made relatively small improvements in water withdrawal infrastructure in consultation with TNC. With respect to community engagement thus far, TNC has spoken to individual members of the community about TNC's interest in acquiring the Hilea Property, and all were supportive of the idea of TNC acquiring the property. For example, the three ranches with leases at Hilea offered strong support. The caretaker of the heiau on the property offered support. TNC has also spoken with and received support from Board members of the local nonprofit Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, Hilo branch DOFAW staff, UH research faculty, kupuna with ties to the lands, and several nonprofit organizations connected to the land. 5) Describe any special opportunities for acquisition that presently exist (special funding available, etc.). The landowner of the Hilea parcel has signed a willing seller letter and has confirmed that the trust is interested in selling the Hilea property to The Nature Conservancy for the Fair Market value. 6) Have partnerships with other government agencies or private or nonprofit entities been identified to leverage resources (funding, grants, managing partnerships)? Q Yes ❑ No ❑ Unknown. If yes, please describe. TNC has been awarded a $2,000,000 Land Acquisition Grant from the Legacy Land Conservation Program, enabling us to leverage these funds towards the purchase of Hilea. We also applied for a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Recovery Land Acquisition (RLA) Grant, for which we partnered with DLNR-DOFAW, and received support from both agencies; however, the Sugg.26-04