2009-12-31 (2009 PONC Annual Report to the Mayor)

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William P. Kenoi Mayor William T. Takaba Managing Director Walter K.M. Lau Deputy Managing Director HAWAII COUNTY PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION c/o 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1101, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Phone: 961 -8069; Fax: 961 -8248 December 28, 2009 Honorable William "Billy" Kenoi, Mayor County of Hawaii 25 Aupum Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Mayor Kenoi: The Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission (PONC) would like to send greetings to Mayor Kenoi and the County Council and look forward to working towards continuing land acquisition goals for the benefit of the citizens of Hawaii County. New land acquisition possibilities are constantly coming to light as more community groups and interested agencies have time to organize and submit well researched suggestions. With the on -going negotiations for the additional parcels in Ka`u at Kawa, and in North Kohala at Pa`o`o and Kaiholena, the acquisition process continues. Pursuant to Section 2- 217(2) of the Hawaii County Code, we submit this year's Prioritized List. Due to the economic down -turn of events that we have all had to accommodate for, this year's Prioritized List will reflect this Commissions' attempt to assess all old and new suggestion forms received with a "new eye." Because of the immense size of our Hawaii Island, it has taken time for the various community groups from all parts of our island to recognize an area, organize and research its possibilities, and submit a suggestion form. New land acquisition possibilities reveal themselves constantly. In addition to the Prioritized List, this report includes Commission and community concerns for your consideration. This Commission has recognized the various island community concerns for the protection of the different types of public access areas through the large amount of Suggestion Forms received focusing on this issue. This Commission strives to forward these suggestions that are not acquirable through the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund ( "the Fund ") to the proper County Departments. This year the Commission has focused on various issues. We worked to refine the Suggestion Form for our information gathering and to keep in touch with the community groups involved. We developed site inspection protocol to enhance our understanding of a requested area. Also, we worked to further understand the public access laws and issues surrounding the various areas requested. We look forward to working with the representatives from the various County, State, Federal, and private organizations that are focused on our island. Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Commissioners: E. Kalani Flores; Kim Garcia; Bill Gilmartin; Steven Hirakami; Larry Komata; Terri Markovich; Sarah Moon; Hannah Springer