2008-02-11 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

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Ms. Springer asked Ms. Hecht to direct her comments and questions to the Council and Mayor since it's no longer in the Commission's hands. Mr. Flores commented that he was aware that Resolution 404 -06 was approved for preservation and protection purposes, not acquisition. Ms. Hecht replied that this property needs a "champion" and the resolution was written for acquisition along with a conservation easement to preserve the cultural sites. Ms. Springer suggested that Ms. Hecht write a letter to the Mayor since Puapua`a is included in the 2007 Annual Report to the Mayor. JANICE PALMA - GLENNIE Ms. Palma- Glennie also expressed her disappointment that Mayor Kim was not present; however, she thanked the Commission and the Mayor for helping to preserve and protect open space. As a member of the Sierra Club and Kona Community Development Plan Steering Committee, she spoke on behalf of lands in North Kona referred to as `O`oma II. She stressed on the need to maintain its conservation designation for meaningful land use protection from harmful development. She asked that the monies in the open space fund be used for acquisition purposes only and not be diverted for maintenance or management. In addition, she provided to the Commission, copies of numerous letters and e -mails of support along with petitions of hundreds of signatures opposing any development at `O`oma II. She spoke passionately and made a plea to the Commission to help keep `O`.oma II in its present natural condition. She concluded by saying the community needs some "plain old fashioned easy to understand aloha driven victories in which Hawaii's people, culture and natural environment get to co -exist and thrive." Mr. Campbell expressed his disappointment over Mayor Kim not being present earlier to hear Ms. Hecht and Ms. Palma - Glennie's testimonies. Mr. Gilmartin asked Ms. Palma - Glennie what she wants the Commission to do since the property was already on the list. She replied by saying that her motivation was when the County was considering a 1000 foot setback for this coastal strip of land. Mr. Gilmartin told Ms. Palma - Glennie that it's now out of the Commission's hands, and that any questions should be addressed to the Mayor and the Council. Ms. Garcia expressed that she is also very passionate about `O`oma II. She stressed that if citizens are not vigilant the developers will provide very limited access to the public. -2-