2006-07-10 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes (Kona Mtg)

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Hawaiian relatives. She has been taking care of this burial site for 17 years now and she wants somebody to purchase and take care of it because so many have been desecrated. Ms. Alvarez believes that the United States has taken their land and discouraged them from their dignity. Ms. Alvarez then stated, "I plead to you to purchase the Tax Map Key 1 -6- 091:054 and 1 -6- 090:079, a previously identified burial site that needs to be protected and I ask for your help." Mr. Alvarez asked what the next step would be after this process. Chair Replogle stated that when the Commission receives the completed survey forms, the Commission will rank each parcel and then provide a list to the Mayor who goes through each of the parcels listed and make adjustments. The list is then given to the County Council. This Commission can mention the possibility of partnerships with OHA or a private person who might be interested. Chair Replogle stated that Mr. Alvarez needed to think about who is going to receive the land because the County Council is going to ask. Ms. Alvarez stated that they could give it to OHA. Commissioner Springer stated the next hearing for regular review of their submittals of intake forms to the Mayor is at the end of the year. Commissioner Springer while looking over the April 25th letter from Mr. Namu`o from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, he cited Chapter 6E -3 and Section 11 which states, "acquisition burial sites in fee or in any lesser interest, by gift, purchase, condemnation, devise, bequest, land exchange, or other means, to be held in trust ", and then the Mr. Namu`o writes: It is envisioned that some of these important components of the state historic preservation program can be implemented to assist our beneficiary, Mr. Alvarez and his `ohana. Commissioner Springer then asked if the commission should draft a letter to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs indicating that the Alvarez family had come to this Commission with their concerns and that this Commission has taken their testimony and if there was anything that this Commission could do to help. Commissioner Flores stated that due to the cost and time constraints, he did not think the County would work out. The amount that they are looking at is not a large amount and could be secured by a private interest. Commissioner Flores feels that it was a reasonable and feasible amount that could be done through a private situation with perhaps ownership transferred to OHA. A support letter from the County would greatly help. Going directly to the Board of Trustees of OHA with an amount, Hawaii Land trust could help facilitate it and with OHA becoming an entity might expedite the process.