Waipi'o Valley (Focused Discussion) Community Actions Handout

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Community Action 18: Secure funding through PONC, DLNR LLCP, or other similar programs for purchase of easements and potential acquisition of land to protect views of Waipi'o Valley rim. Need: The area west and southwest of the Valley is within the Forest Reserve and Special Management Area, and, consequently, has limited development potential as well as an added level of discretionary review, through the SMA process. However, the Valley rim on the east and southeast sides are within the A -40a Zone District, with the potential for one dwelling unit per acre, an 'ohana unit, and additional farm dwelling units, subject to compliance with HCC Section 25-5-77. By right, the A -40a setbacks are 30 feet front and rear and 20 feet side yards. Consequently, structures can locate and encroach into the viewshed from the Valley floor. Certain resources are valuable and vulnerable enough to merit acquisition. Potential Community Lead: Action Committee Potential Community Partners: PONC, the Nature Conservancy and the Hawai'i Island Land Trust, Trust for Public Land (TPL), Land Trust Alliance Potential Allies: County of Hawai'i (County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC), Cultural Resources Commission), DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD), National Park Service (HVNP and AKNHT), The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, Trust for Public Land, O'ahu Resource Conservation and Development Council, The Conservation Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Potential Next Steps: The Action Committee can provide leadership by: Submitting recommendations and nominations to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC). • Encouraging landowners to establish conservation easements. Other Resources: Legacy Lands Conservation Program, Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program, Farm and Ranchland Protection Program, Forest Legacy Program, USFWS Recovery Land Acquisition (RLA) program, USFWS Habitat Conservation Community Action 19: Support community organizations, such as the Waipi'o Circle, in developing a watershed plan based on the Waipi'o Valley Stream Management Plan, the Hanalei Watershed Hui model or similar community-based management plans. Need: One of the largest valleys in the Hawaiian Islands, the Waipi'o Valley is fed by five streams— Wailoa River, Waima, Koiawe, Alakahi, Kawainui, and Hi'ilawe —and nine waterfalls that still support native fauna. The protection and management of these watersheds is particularly important to Waipi'o. Often, resources and landscapes have multiple owners and fall under several different jurisdictions. Effective resource management, therefore, requires high levels of collaboration and coordination among a wide range of agencies and organizations. Draft Hamakua CDP hamakua@hawaiicounty.gov www.hamakuacdp.info