2008-01-14 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

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Communication No.: 07 -076: Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Legacy Land Conservation Commission Meeting Agenda for Friday, December 14, 2007, re: Application for grant monies for the purchase of Kawa`a (Tax Map Key: (3) 9 -5 -16:06 & 25; 9 -5- 17:05) & Punalu`u (Tax Map Key: (3) 9 -6- 01:02, 03 & 06) Mr. Yada attended the meeting and noted to the Commission that the Kawa`a requisition for the Olson properties was tied for first and now needs to go before the DLNR Land Board for their consideration sometime in March or April of this year. Communication No.: 07 -077: Letter from Steven S.C. Lim, Esq., Carlsmith Ball LLP, re: Request for the withdrawal and consideration of Suggestion Form for Kaiholena (Communication No. 07 -052) Chair Kaneshiro noted that these communications have been received and will be filed. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT Mr. Yada noted that through the help of Trust for Public Lands (TPL), an application for Kawa`a (Olson) was submitted for the Recovery Land Acquisition Grants Program (RLA) through U.S. Fish and Wildlife. At this time its ranked first in the region and with its approval for 1 million and a combination of the 1.5 million from the Legacy Land Commission, approximately 2.5 million in Federal and State monies will go towards the acquisition. In regards to the Kawa`a parcel owned by Marcia Johnson, it is still in escrow and should be closing within the next few weeks. Mr. Yada also noted that as of December 18, 2007, $2,378,000.00 was deposited into the open space fund. The balance is now approximately 5.1 million. He did mention that monies may need to be advanced for the Kawa`a (Johnson) purchase as the County is still awaiting the proposed grant agreement from the State. OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL'S REPORT None. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Mr. Kaneshiro noted that in the Honolulu Advertiser there was a very good article on land preservation which mentioned Kawa`a, and thanked the Commissioners for all their hard work and support through the years. He further added that the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) recently selected 25 community- based projects to receive funding awards in 2008 through its Natural Resources Program. He suggested that this information be provided to the non - profit group in Waipi`o which may be something they could consider applying for in the future. -3-