Comm 26-013 - LOS 26-04 Lorenzo, Lori-Lee

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Comm 26-013 County of Hawaii tƩƚƦĻƩƷǤ ağƓğŭĻƒĻƓƷ Α thb/ 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1101 Hilo, Hawaiź ВЏАЋЉ Α ЍЋЎЋ January 31, 2026 Re: Strong support for protection of the Hlea Property, comprised of approximately 1,916 acres, TMK: (3) 9-5-018-001, KaͲ IğǞğźͷź LƭƌğƓķͲ IğǞğźͷź ΛIlea PONC Application) Aloha PONC Commissioners: I, Lori-Lee Lorenzo, respectfully submit my strong support for the Hilea Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resource Preservation Commission application submitted by The Nature Conservancy Hawaii ğƓķ tğƌƒǤƩğ Λͻb/ͼΜ͵ I am a Kanaka Maoli lineal descendant of Ka, and I was raised ranching, hunting, and gathering on this ina. My personal and ancestral ties to this land guide my deep commitment to its protection. Safeguarding Ka͸ƭ ƓğƷǒƩğƌ ƩĻƭƚǒƩĭĻƭ ğƓķ ǞğƷĻƩƭŷĻķ ƭǤƭƷĻƒƭ źƭ ĻƭƭĻƓƷźğƌ Ʒƚ ƷŷĻ ƌƚƓŭΏƷĻƩƒ ŷĻğƌƷŷ ƚŅ ƚǒƩ environment and community. Water flows from mauka to makai, and the well-being of our ocean depends directly on the health of our forests. Preserving Hilea in its natural state is critical to maintaining this balance. I am deeply concerned about the possibility of this ina being purchased by a developer. Ka is one of the last undeveloped districts in the State of Hawaii, and any irreversible changes to this landscape would have significant cultural, ecological, and community impacts. TNC works with hunters, ranchers, schoolchildren, college students, and volunteers. Their stewardship approach aligns with the values and needs of the people of Ka and reflects a genuine commitment to responsible land management. CƚƩ ƷŷĻƭĻ ƩĻğƭƚƓƭͲ L ĬĻƌźĻǝĻ ƷŷğƷ b/͸ƭ ğĭƨǒźƭźƷźƚƓ of Hilea represents the most responsible and beneficial outcome for both the ina and the community. Mahalo, Lori-Lee Lorenzo