2006-08-14 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes (Hilo Mtg)

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stated there was a County road that went in the back. Mr. Yuen stated he understood more of the vision and that Waipi`o Valley needed to fit it into a program, so they needed to have a concept of what the program will be to make that work. Commissioner Schuster stated when the decision was made to put them on the list, the Commission tried looking at the planning documents that were given to them to see if they correlated with some of the County's vision. Commissioner Schuster stated she was just in Pololu Valley for the first time and it was easy getting in and out; no vehicles. Commissioner Schuster stated if there was that kind of opportunity for Waipi`o Valley with just walking down the road, there are options. Maybe it's an opportunity to start discussing and thinking about the larger picture. That's what the Commission was chosen to do; to put together these properties that really should be looked at in a much broader context. Commissioner Walker stated after the Commission did the evaluations they discussed involving Mr. Yuen or someone from the Planning Department to give them a clearer picture of what areas they were specifically talking about. Chair Replogle stated part of Waipi`o Valley was the idea of a ranger program. It could be like Kealakekua Bay where the public has to watch a video or something before they can go. That type of ranger program; someone there to answer questions, someone to call 911 but basically what the Commission had in mind was to not to take over valley. Deputy Corporation Counsel Self stated on August 23, 2006 the Council will have a resolution regarding purchasing this piece of property. Dr. Fred Holschuh will be introducing the resolution. Commissioner Flores stated the K6ke`e museum on Kauai, is a small quaint building set up as an exhibit and informational /educational center. It's run by a non- profit group and they generate revenues by the sales of the visitor's center yet they provide educational information to the public. Commissioner Flores stated this could occur on the Waipi`o property. That would be another possibility where they provide a service for the general public. Commissioner Flores stated the other idea was to help enhance and supplement the County's existing facilities. Mr. Yuen moved onto P6hue Bay, a sandy beach in the middle of large property ownerships. The access to P6hue Bay is a very bad four wheel drive road. Mr. Yuen questioned what the long term vision of how to handle the area was and the extent of what to purchase. Mr. Yuen stated the issue was the sensitive ecological aspects to P6hue Bay such as the turtle nesting and in some respects not having a lot of people there makes it an easier management situation. On the other hand, if the County purchased it with the idea of providing a beach park to the public, then the County would have to do something about the four wheel drive access, which meant committing millions of dollars to upgrade the access. Mr. Yuen stated there maybe a different strategy for what was 0