2006-02-06 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes (Hilo Mtg)

Home

OLD BUSINESS Chair Replogle was in agreement with the letters that were sent out to the Legislators and Councilmembers as listed under Communications, and indicated that there was no need for discussion by the commissioners Commissioner Schuster suggested that for the future, if the same "form" letter will be mailed out from this Commission to various people, that a list of the addressees be listed only and not to provide copies of each individual letter to the Commissioners. GUEST SPEAKERS Virginia Aste from Puna Friends of the Park, a non - profit organization gave a presentation on Cape Kumukahi. Ms. Aste provided each Commissioner with a copy of her "draft" intake survey form. Ms. Aste asked the Commissioners if each of them knew personally where Cape Kumukahi is located if not, she would personally take them on a tour. Ms. Aste is requesting acquisition to access of a road at Cape Kumukahi. Ms. Aste has been working with this non - profit organization for five years. It is a non - profit 501(C)(3) non - profit organization. Ms. Aste indicates that the possible owner of this property is Kapoho Land & Development Company and not the Lyman family as she initially thought. Ms. Aste states that this parcel Cape Kumukahi has over 1,200 acres and is greatly used by the public. Ms. Aste states that on a "good day" approximately 300 -400 citizens from the public enjoy this parcel. This parcel does not have any improvements and the residents of Kapoho and Vacationland are usually left to "clean -up" after the frequent park users. Commissioner Flores asked Ms. Aste to clarify her request for Cape Kumukahi. Ms. Aste wants a "new" access road, as the current access road is too close to archaelogical burials sites and the road is currently deteriorating. Ms. Aste states that Puna is in great need of a regional park. The population in the Puna district has been rapidly growing and there is a need to provide more parks in this area. Commissioner Campbell thanked Ms. Aste for her presentation. Commissioner Garovoy informed Ms. Aste that she completed more work, than what is reflected in her intake survey form. • Roger Imoto, Hawaii Branch Manager for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Mr. Imoto gave a brief explanation of the different divisions that fall under the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Mr. Imoto indicated that the State has a lot of land. The Land Division acts like the "real estate agent" for commercial in