2017-05-08 NKCDP Letter Mayor Kim Final

Home

Mayor Harry Kim May 8, 2017 Page 2 Strategy 2. 1, Priority 1 — Kapanai`a to `Ainakea). The Growth Management chapter (Section 4. 1, Strategy 1.2) calls on the County "to acquire coastal lands that should be preserved in open space" using the 2% Land Fund. • These lands are kulaiwi o Kamehameha — Kamehameha and his family's home land — Kamehameha built Hale o Ka`ili Heiau on the Hapu`u land for his war god Kuka`ilimoku and used the giant and ancient Kapalama Heiau on the Kapanai`a land as well as Ohau Heiau at Halelua in preparing his warriors for uniting the Hawaiian Islands. He, his ancestors and descendants planted and maintained this land. • Lands at both ends of this 4 -mile section of Kohala's Northern Coast have already been preserved at no cost to the County — Twenty eight acres of land at Kauhola Point were purchased with State Legacy Land funds and fundraising within the Kohala community with the help of The Trust for Public Lands in 2012. Forty eight acres of land at Niuli`i (listed 95 on the 2015 PONC list) were donated to The Kohala Center for cultural conservation in 2016. • Owners of the lands have worked with the community for over 8 years to see them preserved — Representatives of the five owners of the Hapu`u, Kapanai`a, and Halelua parcels have repeatedly shared with community groups their desire to preserve these lands, despite strong economic pressures to sell the properties for development. They have completed Archaeological surveys and Preservation Plans, which have received the support of the community. Without preservation these lands will be sold for gated, high-end residences. • Six Kohala community groups are willing to work with the County in procuring matching funds through the State Legacy Land Preservation Program — Matching funds can be applied for through the Legacy Land fund this year. The groups with resources and reputations to support the County in applying for these funds are Malama Wahi Pana o Kohala, Kamakani o Kohala `Ohana — Kako`o, Kohala Lihikai, Malama Kohala Kahakai, Maika`i Kamakani o Kohala, and the Kohala Cultural and Historic Preservation Group. The Hawaiian Islands Land Trust has also offered assistance in locating supplemental funding. We ask you to please authorize the Director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of lands at Hapu`u, Kapanai`a, and Halelua. Respectfully yours, John Winter, Chairman North Kohala Community Development Plan Action Committee Cc: Michael Yee, Planning Director www.cohplanningdept.com Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning kfiawaiicounty.Qov