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CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT <br />Mr. Kaneshiro thanked Mr. Yada for the good news on Waipi`o and Kawa`a and hope that the <br />Commission can work together with the Mayor and Council to highlight the sale in the <br />newspaper once it's been completed. He also noted that Mayor Kim communicate with the <br />public on the success by creating the Commission. Mr. Kaneshiro then thanked everyone for <br />their hard work. <br />Mr. Kaneshiro mentioned that when he testified at a Council meeting, Council Member Pilago <br />asked him how they could prioritize properties. Mr. Kaneshiro then suggested that the <br />Commission write a letter to the Council stating that if a property is ready for purchase, as long <br />as it's within the list, should be processed regardless of whatever number it's listed as. <br />Mr. Kaneshiro then asked Ms. Self if the Commission can make this recommendation to the <br />Council. Ms. Self stated that because the Commission is only an advisory to the Mayor, the <br />Council should be able to prioritize the properties as they feel necessary. <br />Mr. Yada commented that since the Commission, four resolutions have already been passed for <br />an estimated 20 million dollars in property value and asked that the Commission seek the <br />Council's input on whether you could just buy properties already on the list if it's available. He <br />stated that in the situation of Punalu`u, Council Member Yoshimoto commented on whether the <br />Council could take the entire list and authorize purchase of any of those properties. Mr. Yada <br />concluded that if you have a list of properties ready for purchase it may be an incentive to the <br />landowners to get the sale done. <br />Ms. Garcia added that they should take into consideration if the applicants only want an <br />easement or public access instead of acquisition. Mr. Kaneshiro mentioned that they have not <br />yet decided on whether two lists should be done for easements versus acquisitions. Mr. Yada <br />commented that the Council does not control the open space fund, they only approve the <br />resolutions. <br />Mr. Flores stated that he concurs with Council Member Yoshimoto's request which gives more <br />flexibility to pursue another property that is readily available. Ms. Springer noted that once the <br />list is approved, then the availability of the property would determine the priority. Mr. <br />Kaneshiro mentioned that this could be included as a recommendation in the report to the Mayor. <br />Mr. Campbell stressed on how important it is to keep in mind that the monies in the open space <br />fund can be used for the leverage of additional funds through TPL, LLF or other federal <br />agencies. Mr. Kaneshiro then expressed the importance of how the property will be managed <br />after the County acquires the property. <br />Ms. Schuster then suggested that the Commission make a recommendation in the annual report <br />and maybe someone in the Council can identify the need to encourage the community for <br />solutions while keeping within the County ordinances. Ms. Self further noted that under Section <br />2 -218 of the Hawaii County Code, it refers to adequate staff to manage properties owned by the <br />County. <br />-3- <br />