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<br />HAWAII COUNTY PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES <br />PRESERVATION COMMISSION <br /> <br />MINUTES-REGULAR SESSION <br /> July 8, 2013 <br />Aupuni Center Conference Room <br />101 Pauahi Street <br />Hilo96720 <br /> <br />Present: Chair Marilyn Nicholson <br /> Vice-Chair Steven Hirakami <br />(arrived @ 10:12 a.m.) <br /> Commissioner Timothy DeLozier <br /> Commissioner Enock Freire <br /> <br /> Commissioner Searle Grace <br />Commissioner Wilma Matsumura <br /> <br />Absent: Commissioner Byrne Baber <br />Commissioner Debbie Hecht <br /> <br />Others Present: Amy Self, Deputy Corporation Counsel <br />Ken Van Bergen, Property Manager, Finance <br />(left @ 1:20 p.m.) <br /> Alexandra Kelepolo, Property Management Technician, Finance <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />CALL TO ORDER <br /> <br /> <br />The meeting was called to order by Chair Marilyn Nicholson at 10:10 a.m. <br /> <br />STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS <br /> <br />RENE SIRACUSA <br /> <br />Ms. Rene Siracusa, president of Malama O Puna (MOP) spoke in support of the Vacationland Land <br />lands were covered by lava and are no longer in existence which makes this area even more important. <br />It took about six years to get the Waiopae tide-pools designated as a Marine Life Conservation <br />District (MLCD). This property is on the southern boundary of Waiopae and has been on the market. <br />At one time the landowners considered putting up major housing developments which could be a huge <br />problem in terms of sewage impacting the tide-pools and marine life. The area also has archaeological <br />sites, native birds, plants and coastal forest. MOP has been doing on-going restoration work for many <br />years assisting with the MLCD and removal of the mangrove trees. MOP is willing and able to <br />continue stewardship and hope it will be under the umbrella of the Commission. <br /> <br />OSHI SIMSARIAN <br /> <br />Ms. Oshi Simsarian spoke in support of the Vacationland Land Trust/Hara property in Puna. She <br />spoke of how unique the property is, historically and so underserved. There are no lands that have yet <br />been purchased with PONC funds in the Puna district, none. The ocean access is so limited in this area <br />it is essentially the only safe access for families and children to snorkel and swim. <br />- 1 - <br /> <br />