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The group encourages land owners to attend it monthly open meetings and has secured good communications with <br />many owners, some of whom attend meetings regularly. <br />In addition, the group worked with three other NKCDP groups to solve the problems of congestion, safety and health at <br />Pololu Lookout, worked with Kohala Lihikai on erosion control and native planting project at Upolu Airport and shared <br />coastal erosion control and native plant propagation information with Pacific Pono, the stewards of Kamehameha Schools <br />land at Akoakoa Point. <br />Other 2017 Progress: The NKCAG made substantial progress in opening a new coastal trail and mauka makai access <br />road. It has moved substantially forward in the role of stewarding public open space lands. Perhaps most significant is our <br />success at forming partnerships with other community groups, land owners and government agencies to work together to <br />achieve the goals of the NKCDP. <br />Goals for 2018: Finalize the Grants of Public Access Easements at Halelua, Pahoa Beach, Upolu East, Kohala Kai and <br />Kohala Waterfront. To see the eroded trail at Puakea Bay Ranch moved to a safe place and re -opened. Arrange funding <br />for the purchase of lands listed on the County's priority list for open space. Locate resources to protect the open nature of <br />the Parker Ranch land at Honoipu. Initiate stewardship plans at Pao'o and Kaiholena and continue the project of plant <br />restoration and erosion control at Upolu Airport. Increase the safety and health of the Pololu Lookout and Trail by <br />working with agencies and land owners. Gather information on the easement for the Mahukona to Niuli'i Railroad. <br />Undertake programs at the Kohala schools to interest students in protection of the coast and possible careers in resource <br />management. <br />The NKCAG meets at 4:30 pm on the first Monday of each month in the former Judiciary Building, Kapa'au. Ted <br />Matsuda is the chairperson. <br />Parks, Water & Roads (PWR) Group <br />The PWR Group works to implement the "Strategies" of the Plan that address the condition of our area parks <br />and our water and road systems. When the CDP was developed in 2007-8, residents recognized that much of <br />Kohala's infrastructure was constructed decades ago, including the roads, water system, and electric power <br />lines. Many considered it time for these aging infrastructure components to be revamped, repaired, or replaced. <br />The strategies for our Group include: <br />Strategy 4.2: Improve Parks (restrooms, gym & public boat ramp). <br />Strategy 4.5: Upgrade Potable Water System. <br />Strategy 4.6: Improve Existing Roadway Systems and Create Emergency Bypass Roads. <br />Strategy 4.12: Long Term Strategies. <br />4.12a: Support repair and maintenance of existing agricultural water transmission and <br />distribution systems to meet agricultural needs. <br />Accomplishments in 2017: <br />Parks. The Group set up a series of monthly meetings between the parks maintenance supervisor and <br />representatives from each county park to discuss work planned by the Department of Parks and Recreation and <br />park needs expressed by the reps. This way the community becomes aware in advance of park maintenance <br />projects and people can make suggestions or requests for park improvements. <br />Potable Water. In 2014 the Group produced a paper summarizing the potable water supply situation and needs <br />in Kohala and presented it to the Department of Water Supply. This was very well received by several agencies. <br />In it we asked the DWS to 1) Add more wells and connect them for system redundancy should any well <br />temporarily fail, 2) Initiate a program to upgrade the aging delivery system as soon as possible, and 3) Lift the <br />moratorium on new water meters for subdivided lots in North Kohala. DWS has recently cleared the way to <br />obtaining the Halaula well and is now in the planning and design stage. They plan to have it connected to the <br />system in less than two years. They promise to lift the moratorium then. We continue to monitor progress with <br />fingers crossed. <br />Agricultural Water. We hosted three meetings on this issue. The first was specifically for farmers to assess <br />their needs. The second open meeting was to learn what the community wants, what resources are available, and <br />how the system might be administered. Thanks to Senator Inouye, $1.5 million was set aside for a feasibility <br />