2013-08-26 Game Management Advisory Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – August 26, 2013  Hamakua Access - DOFAW is still waiting for a formal opinion from Na Ala Hele Abstractor, on the disposition (public and private ownership) of Kamaee and Opea Roads. Both roads lead to Forest Reserves.  There’s a scheduled meeting with Bobby Command, Hawaii County’s Deputy Planning Director is scheduled for September 11, 2013. The intent of the meeting is to begin identifying ownership and management authority, as well as maintenance issues for key roads leading to forest reserves and public hunting areas on Hawaii Island. Many of these roads end in locked gates and no trespassing signs. Jurisdiction of many of these roads is indiscernible. Collaboration between county and DOFAW is important to ensure an increased public access and hunting opportunities for many areas of the island.  An on-the-ground reconnaissance state parcel adjacent to the Hoea-Kaau section of Hamakua Forest Reserve were conducted in June, 2013. The intention of the recon. was to identify and secure a public access route across the parcel to the forest reserve. A request was subsequently sent to the Land Division to ensure a dedicated public access becomes a condition of this parcel, should it be leased in the future.  Kau Forest Reserve - In June, 2013 Inaba Engineering submitted a revised Final Survey report for portions of Kau Forest Reserve and adjacent parcels. This information is being used to develop a public access agreement to the forest reserve with affected landowners. The Access Program coordinator is working on that agreement now and hopes to negotiate details of the agreement with key landowners in early September. I think that has to do with, there’s a lot of abutting ranch land, it’s a lower section, and they want to try and see if they can move a fence to provide a road along that area so hunters can get in without having to go build another fence or intrude into the forest in any way.  Other Projects - Working with the Attorney General’s Office on finalizing language for a renewal of a 20-year Kipuka Aina Hou license agreement with the Department of Hawaiian Homes. And that’s very important to the hunters, there’s a - Mauna Kea is going out of hunting – that’s one of the only upland game areas that we can go so it’s very important that we secure that agreement.  A meeting with Kamehameha Schools is scheduled for September 11, 2013. Intent of the meeting is to identify potential opportunities for collaboration between the two agencies, including increased access and hunting opportunities on Hawaii Island.  Researched and provided information on access and public hunting for Honuaula Forest Reserve to members of Hawaii Island hunting community. Honuaula is located in North Kona. 6. FAMILY A FIELDS PROGRAM – TOM LODGE. Tom Lodge presented a power-point presentation regarding promoting family hunting activity. This program is in 35 states. The program encourages youth in 6