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Comm 26-074 <br />From:Debi Javar <br />To:ponctestimony@hawaiicounty.gov <br />Cc:Shalan Crysdale; Nohealani Ka"awa <br />Subject:STRONG SUPPORT OF PROTECTION OF THE HILEA PROPERTY, TMK (3)9-5-018-001 Ka", Hawai"i Island <br />(PONC) <br />Date:Wednesday, January 28, 2026 5:53:22 PM <br />Aloha PONC Commissioners: <br />My name is Debra M Javar and I am pleased to provide strong support for the Public Access, <br />Open Space and Natural Resource Preservation Commission application submitted by the <br />Nature Conservancy Hawai'i and Palmyra ("TNC"). <br />The property is located in the Hlea Nui ahupua'a and the Hlea Iki ahupua'a of the Ka' moku <br />on Hawai'i Island. The "Hlea property" consists of 1,916 acres ecologically and culturally <br />important land that is cherished by the local community and is threatened by development. <br />The Hlea property is adjacent to other protected lands - the TNC Ka' Preserve and the State <br />of Hawai'i Forest Reserve. The Kohaikalani Heiau on Makanau mountain has great <br />significance in Hawaiian history and its Preservation is extremely important to the people of <br />Ka'. <br />TNC nominated these parcels for PONC to ensure that they are protected into the future, and <br />so that conservation lands remain in conservation, and agriculture lands remain in <br />agriculture. The call for Preservation of these specific lands is documented in the Ka' <br />Community Development Plan's action plan under section 4.2 "Expand the local system of <br />preserves." I, Debra M Javar, believe TNC is a suitable land trust to own and steward the <br />Hlea property because it has an excellent reputation as a land steward within the Ka' <br />community. TNC also has the skills and resources to manage the Hlea property as an <br />addition to its Ka' Preserve and would develop a management plan for the property. <br />In conclusion, I, Debra M Javar, STRONGLY SUPPORT the Hlea Legacy Land and PONC <br />application submitted by TNC for protection of the Hlea property in perpetuity. <br />Sincerely, <br />Debra M Javar <br /> <br />