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32 BUSINESS: <br />33 1. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Update on the Wao Kele o Puna Comprehensive <br />34 Management Plan: Land Management Specialist, Kalena Blakemore, presented an update on <br />35 the implementation status of the Wao Kele o Puna Comprehensive Management Plan that was <br />36 finalized and approved by the OHA Board of Trustees in September 2017. Ms. Blakemore's <br />37 presentation provided a summary of the current status and next steps for Wao Kele o Puna as <br />38 they move forward with implementation. <br />39 Wao Kele o Puna is unique in that it is the last low land mesic rainforest in the State of Hawai'i, <br />40 housing many unique, rare and threatened plants and native bird species. It is also used as a <br />41 cultural resource location, with plants being sourced for hula and other traditional practices. <br />42 Wao Kele o Puna is also a watershed that feeds the Pahoa aquifer. Some of the threats to this <br />43 area include geological dangers and lava encroachment, as well as rapid 'ohi'a death. <br />44 Ms. Blakemore's presentation materials can be viewed and downloaded here: <br />45 http://records.hawaiicountV.gov/Weblink/1/doc/92801/Pagel.aspx <br />46 2. Communication No. 2018-04: Draft letter to Group 70 International, INC: Pre -Consultation Draft <br />47 Environmental Assessment for the Pahoa Public Library Site Selection: Chair Brown introduced <br />48 the Draft letter to Group 70 International, INC. <br />49 Committee Member Keoloho moved to accept Comm. No. 2018-04: Draft letter to Group 70 <br />50 International, INC: Pre -Consultation Draft Environmental Assessment for the Pdhoo Public <br />51 Library Site Selection. Second by Committee Member Michael Bernard. <br />52 Committee Member Dan Domizio stated that the land selected for site #3 had previously been <br />53 offered as a potential site for a Puna Community Medical Center. Mr. Domizio also inquired <br />54 about the walkability to site #2 from the main Pahoa town. Chair Brown answered that issues <br />55 of walkability and connectivity between sites would be address in the Pahoa Regional Town <br />56 Center Masterplan. <br />57 The motion to accept the Draft letter to Group 70 International, INC. passed with 5 votes aye, 0 <br />58 votes nay. <br />59 Communication No. 2018-04 can be viewed and downloaded here: <br />60 http://records.hawaiicountV.gov/Weblink/1/doc/92670/Pagel.aspx <br />61 The final letter submitted to Planning Director Michael Yee and Group 70 International (Communication No. 2018- <br />62 07) can be viewed and downloaded here: http://records.hawaiicountV.gov/Weblink/1/doc/93071/Pagel.aspx <br />63 3. Communication No. 2018-02: Action Committee Priorities: Chair Brown introduced the third <br />64 business item addressing the 6 main action committee priorities that were identified during a <br />65 February 2017 special meeting. <br />66 — Priority #1 regarding the creation of village/town centers. Chair Brown noted that many <br />67 people in the Hawaiian Paradise Park (HPP) community are eager to see a village/town <br />68 center created within HPP, however, with the Pahoa Regional Town Center Master Plan <br />69 moving forward it doesn't make sense to focus resources and efforts in multiple areas. <br />70 The Planning Department is currently in negotiations with the consultant selected for <br />71 the Pahoa Regional Town Center Master Plan. <br />72 — Priority #2 regarding road connectivity. Chair Brown stated that road connectivity is one <br />73 of the more successful objectives the Action Committee has worked on. Connectivity <br />www.hiplanningdept.com puna(Whawaiicounty.Qov Page 2 <br />