Comm No 0003.01.18 - Testimony - Ad Hoc - PONC fund and Maintenance fund

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THE 2% LAND FUND WAS ON THE BALLOT AS A CHARTER AMENDMENT. In 2012, Debbie Hecht and Council member Brenda Ford added an important clause that runs with the land as a Deed Restriction, which says: "This property (or easement) was acquired with money from the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. It shall be held in perpetuity for the use and enjoyment of the people of Hawaii County and may not be sold, mortgaged, traded or transferred in any way." Council Member Brenda Ford and I thought this was very important. It takes several years before a property is proposed by citizens, gets through the Public Access and Open Space Commission and is funded and acquired by the County with our tax dollars. The groups that propose these lands work hard to bring them forward and hard to care for them after they are acquired, frequently using their own money, their time and hard work to improve these properties. These properties are purchased with citizen's tax money and the properties should be reserved for the use of all of us, our keiki and grandchildren. This should not be subject to change just because the county cannot make their budget. The county should be fiscally responsible and have a sizeable Disaster Relief Fund. Our County has more natural disasters than any county in the US. Wouldn't this be prudent? This is a voter mandated set aside. IF not dedicated in perpetuity, the land could be sold, developed for a hotel; beach access controlled like what happened at the Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani, Kukio Four Seasons Resorts and Kohanaiki. The money would disappear into the general fund. Another great gift of the 2% Land Fund is the capacity to apply for matching funds. The County frequently applies for an gets money for matching funds from State Legacy Lands and US Fish and Wildlife Service. So far, the County has received $8.76 million in matching funds, approximately 25% of the purchase price of the acquired properties. Why would they want to contribute money to these land purchases if the County could turn around and sell the land? COUNTY/ STATE and FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COOPERATION: The County is currently collaborating with the National Park Service for both the Kahuku property and on the Waikapuna property which is under contract in Ka'u. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park helps to manage the Kahoka property. The Ala Kahakai Trail Association in conjunction with the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail https://www.nps.gov/alka/index.htm, which has a management plan for the King's Trail or Ala Kahakai Trail that runs 175 miles from Upolu Point near Hawi to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The State of Hawaii Legacy Lands program frequently donates money to purchase properties. THE MAINTENANCE FUND CHARTER AMENDMENT was on the ballot in 2012. Council member Brenda Ford and I wrote the legislation creating the 2% Maintenance Fund to care for the lands obtained by the 2% Land Fund. Maintenance Fund grants are available to community groups who are maintaining Hawai'i Islands treasured places. Our intent was to empower these groups to continue their good work and to enable and encourage kuleana and the building of community for these lands. The County has made good use of these funds. But in the last 5 years there have only been 2 groups that have obtained these funds. WHY? This process needs to be improved. It has now been placed under the care of the PONC Commission. This should help get these funds to community groups! I was a PONC commissioner and these volunteers are strong advocates for land conservation and maintenance. Get in touch with your PONC Commissioner and ask their help to obtain Maintenance Funds or how to suggest lands for preservation in your community. PROPERTY ACQUISITION PROCESS is available here: http://records.co. hawaii. hi. us/weblink/browse.aspx?dbid=1&startid=13770