2026-01-12 - Minutes DRAFT 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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offered and accepted and will be filled in February. Deputy Director Kekai stated that the PONC dedicated positions in Property Management will be filled as of February 1, and expressed that this was positive news for the program. Deputy Director Kekai stated the fund balance information was transmitted to the commission that morning and reported approximately$26 million in the preservation or acquisition fund. Deputy Director Kekai noted that with three planned property closings anticipated within the next one to two months, the fund balance would likely be closer to approximately$14 million by the next meeting. Deputy Director Kekai reported the next three acquisitions total approximately$12 million and identified the anticipated purchase amounts as follows: Kawainui Makai at$6.2 million, Honolulu Landing at$3.7 million, and Keakealani Wahine at $2,090,000. Deputy Director Kekai stated that Kawainui Makai and Keakealani Wahine are expected to close in January and Honolulu Landing is expected to close in February, and stated the process has been going smoothly. Cmr. Markoff asked for confirmation of the Honolulu Landing purchase amount, and Deputy Director Kekai confirmed it is$3.7 million. Cmr. Ward stated Honolulu Landing had been a goal during her time on the commission and expressed congratulations and appreciation. Cmr. Ward asked for the name of the third property, and Deputy Director Kekai clarified it is Keakealaniwahine, located on AIN Drive, and noted it was an older item, possibly from a 2020 list. Cmr. Crivello asked whether the Keakealaniwahine amount was$2.9 million, and Deputy Director Kekai clarified it is $2,090,000. Cmr. Ward asked for confirmation of the Kawainui amount, and Deputy Director Kekai confirmed it is$6.2 million and noted credit is due to community members who advocated for the acquisitions. 3. Status update on past stewardship grants Deputy Director Kekai provided an update on stewardship grants and noted the commission received a table. She reported staff are wrapping up the 2024 grants and said the goal going forward is to review one grant year at a time so final reports can be completed and provided more efficiently. She said the new grant system is expected to improve timeliness and access to reports and make it easier to provide grant data to the commission. She said staff are currently reviewing most reports and processing and paying those not already completed. For the 2025 grants,she reported all recipients have received first payments except Kupa 'Aina and said staff will work to complete Kupa 'Aina's first payment shortly. She added that with the commission's approvals at the meeting, staff will work to get the next round of applications out on time and noted this is the Department's number one goal. Cmr. Markoff asked about the Malama O Puna Wai'ele parcel in his district and raised concerns he had heard regarding contract issues. He said the initial fencing application included survey work and keeping archaeological studies in house, that the County decided it would complete that work, that it was not completed, and that he heard the contract might be voided. Deputy Director Kekai said that is not what is happening and said the County is in discussions with Malama O Puna. She explained the contracted archaeological reconnaissance DRAFT-Minutes of January 12, 2026 Page 8