2007-12-28 (2007 PONC Annual Report to the Mayor)

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COUNTY OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO. STATE OF HAWAII 427 OG A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE MAYOR ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF TMK (3) 4 -8- 004:006, WAIPI`O LOOKOUT POINT (RICE PARCEL). WHEREAS, the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund was established in 2005, by Ordinance No. 05 -166, as codified in chapter 2, article 42, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended); and WHEREAS, section 2- 214(d), Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), provides that the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund shall be used for acquiring lands or property entitlements in the County of Hawaii for the following purposes: (1) Public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains; (2) Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites; (3) Protection of natural resources, including buffer zones; (4) Preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas, natural beauty and agricultural lands; and (5) Protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply; and WHEREAS, section 2 -215, Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), provides for the establishment of a Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (hereinafter the "Commission "); and WHEREAS, section 2- 217(1), Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), provides that among the duties and responsibilities of the Commission is the development and submittal to the Mayor of an island -wide prioritized list of qualifying lands worthy of preservation; and WHEREAS, in its prioritized list to the Mayor dated April 5, 2006, the Commission awarded the Waipi`o Lookout Point parcel (also referred to as the "Rice Parcel "), more particularly designated as tax map key parcel (3) 4 -8- 004:006 and comprised of approximately 1.804 acres, as shown on the map attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and by reference made a part hereof (hereinafter the "Property "), its second highest criteria score of 83 per cent for acquisition purposes and ranked it as a "high priority because the Property is presently listed for sale"; and WHEREAS, the Commission listed the following reasons for the Property's significance to the County of Hawaii: • "It is located as the gateway to Waipi`o Valley." • "It would enhance the existing County Waipi`o Lookout Facilities by providing safety, cultural, and historic information to visitors and residents." • "It could also provide additional parking to the Lookout area. • "In addition, it might serve as a future Ranger Station "; and