Comm No 0007.06.1 - Testimony - Response from PONC

Home

In this era of increasing threats to our islands from climate change (sea -level rise, warming ocean temperatures, more frequent storm events, heightened drought / flooding patterns), we need to take action immediately to plan and protect our open spaces and natural resources. We should prepare and support our island's public spaces, and we should not be reactive and instead steal from the people of tomorrow to support the shortfalls in our budget today. HWF is opposed to Communication 21 that seeks to decrease the amount of money allocated of the Preservation Fund (to 0.75%), adds language that leaves the Maintenance Fund in jeopardy to the administration of the moment, and allows for the transfer / sales of properties acquired in the future. In addition, we are in support of the amendment proposed in Communication 7.6 that allows for the salary of a dedicated staff within the County's Department of Finance to manage both the Preservation and Maintenance Funds (Section 10-15 and 10-16), and feel like this is a good compromise and win- win for all involved. Hopefully, with such a position working only on acquiring and stewarding these PONC lands, these programs will continue to be a model of success for other counties and jurisdictions within our state (and Oceania) to follow suit. Hawai'i Wildlife Fund (HWF) is a small nonprofit organization that has been working to conserve native species in Hawai'i since 1996. During that time, we have been actively involved in research, education, restoration and advocacy projects related to the protection of coastal and nearshore ecosystems. We are currently finishing up a restoration project at one of the PONC sites within the Ka'alaiki estuary at Kawa, thanks to the support of a small Maintenance Fund awarded in 2017. We believe that the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund and the Maintenance Fund should be protected NOW and into the future. Mahalo for your time and consideration. Apologies that one of our team members was unable to join you in person today but we are in Ka'u hosting a beach cleanup event with a student group from Konawaena Middle School. I hope to join you in person for the Charter Commission meeting in January to show our support for the Maintenance Fund. Sincerely, Megan R. Lamson, M.S. President & Program Director HWF - Hawai'i Island Program Director megan@wildhawaii.org (808) 217-5777 www.wi/a'/aw ii org