2006-09-11 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes (Kona Mtg)

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Ms. Hecht stated it was left off because there was no change and there was no room; they were reducing fonts to eligible size and then they had to put in the affidavit and other things. They also felt since Deputy Corporation Counsel Leithead -Todd looked it over, they would be okay. Ms. Hecht stated if the Commission could talk to their councilmen however they feel about it, it would be helpful. Ms. Hecht invited the Commissioner's to a party on September 15, 2006 from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. at the Kona Outdoor Circle to kick off the campaign. Mark Varney Mr. Varney is a 35 year resident of the Big Island and has been up in Waimea for the last 10. Mr. Varney went to one of the first open space meeting in Waimea and was asked to fill out a hand out about six months ago. Mr. Varney came to speak about Spencer Beach Park/ Mau`umae acquisition; actually the expansion of Spencer Beach Park. On the hand -out he passed out with photos attached of Mau`umae Beach; on the second page there was a map showing a narrow strip of land. Mr. Varney stated it was in question for the expansion of the Spencer Beach Park. He believed it was part of a really big parcel owned by the Queen Emma foundation. Mr. Varney stated it's the narrow strip between the old Kawaihae to Puak6 road and shoreline. Mr. Varney stated it's one of the last undeveloped places on the coast there. Just to the south of that is Mau`umae Beach and that parcel he believed has a house on it. He left that out because he believed it would be too expensive to acquire the house and the beach parcel. Mr. Varney figured regarding the narrow strip up to the beach; they could probably get it at a bargain negotiating with the Queen Emma Foundation. It would help with public access down to Mau`umae. Mr. Varney stated one of reasons why he submitted the survey form was seeing the increase in the resort build out there and all the homes going in and the increased pressures on Mauna Kea/Kauna`oa Beach and Hapuna. There's a lot of pressure on the coastline; he goes down there a lot with this two sons and it's a really nice place and not crowded. Mr. Varney stated Mauna Kea currently hands out ten or eleven passes to get down there so the most people you would see would 15 people. Mr. Varney stated he believed it's a good thing that needed to be shared with the whole community. With the Kawaihae Harbor improvements coming up, there would be some changes to the recreational area down at the landing which a lot of people use; hard to get in. You have to have a pass and take a two hour course to get in. The recreational area down at Kawaihae has changed in the last couple years. It's hard to get down there therefore we need to provide for some more recreational areas. Mr. Varney stated there were more homes being built in the area along with Waimea; it's estimated that Waimea's growth was supposed to double in the next twenty years. This proposal made it on the Commission's list. Mr. Varney wanted to share his information along with pictures and maps. Mr. Flores asked Mr. Varney if the County were to purchase the land, what would be his vision. Mr. Varney stated right now it's overgrown with keawe trees and the original shoreline trail runs along the coast all the way to Mau`umae then goes up and behind where it was 31