2012-07-09 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes (2)

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These lands have been approved for a PUD that would virtually level the forest and that approval is now with the Board of Appeals. In speaking with the kupuna of Miloli`i, the watershed is critical to the fish and their community. She recommends that these properties could possibly become an upland park or natural area preserve. In the past the Commission has been focused on coastline properties but should really consider these mauka lands which have tremendous values to be protected. Ms. Ward also spoke on behalf of the Sierra Club to recommend the purchase of `O`oma since the land is now for sale, the opportunity to acquire is available. The public has been diligent for decades in stopping the development through strong community support, gathering over 4,000 signatures for one petition in addition to numerous community groups, Kohanaiki Ohana, Surfrider Foundation, Sierra Club, Pono Hawaii, Plan to Protect Keopuka, just to name a few, that have been directly involved in legal campaigns to protect `O`oma. She stated that the value of natural open space cannot be quantified but its associated cultural, environmental, social, recreational and spiritual values are greater than gold. Members of the Sierra Club strongly support the acquisition while the landowner is willing to sell. Mr. Hirakami asked what the sale price is. Ms. Ward replied that she's not sure. Mr. Hirakami told her that the owners came to a previous meeting stating that this property was not for sale so this is new to the Commission. Ms. Ward told Mr. Hirakami that she will check with Ms. Palma- Glennie and come back with any new information. NELSON HO Mr. Nelson Ho, Legislative Assistant to Council Member Brittany Smart is here in that capacity to strongly support Ms. Ford's request to acquire Waikaku`u. He wanted to point out that when Ms. Smart asked the State DLNR, who is an adjacent landowner, they gave her an assessment that they would like to see the forest watershed value and bio- diversity preserved. In addition, she felt that the whole PUD was somewhat cynical as an attempt to evade the water requirements that are put on this type of development. It doesn't make full use of the three lots but will destroy an existing watershed and native habitat to go forward with the PUD. He further added that a new piece of land was submitted to the Commission by Ka Ohana O Honu`apo (KOOH) to acquire Kaunamano. He notes that Ms. Smart understands that in the past the Commission has been very favorable to Ka`u and just wants to acknowledge that this is a beautiful piece of land and would welcome seeing this property on the list. RON TERRY Mr. Ron Terry spoke in support of Hilo Bayfront Trails Project (HBTP), which is a different type of application but just as critical to protect some urban open space. Acquisition of this parcel is the key link for this project to get around Waiakea Pond and would provide a corridor for a six mile inter- connected loop shared use walking/biking path. Their group, Hilo Bayfront Trails, Inc. (HBTI) is a