Comm No 0021.013 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fund

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HAWAIIAN ISLANDS LAND TRUST December 13, 2018 Hawaii County Charter Commission 25 Aupuni St. Hilo, HI 96720 charter. commission(a�hawaiicounty.gov Re: Proposal to amend Section 10-15 and Section 10-16, by repealing and replacing provisions for the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund and Maintenance Fund Aloha Commissions, The Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (HILT) works to protect the lands that sustain us for current and future generations. To date, HILT has completed over 40 projects and conserved over 18,000 acres of land working together with the State, Counties, landowners, and communities to protect the lands from development and to preserve the natural and cultural resources that provide for our unique way of life here in Hawaii. The Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund (PONC) was created in 2006 through a ballot initiative and supported by Hawaii Island voters. To date, the PONC has provided the necessary funding to purchase and protect over 4,000 -acres of the most significant natural and cultural landscapes on Hawaii Island for future generations. The PONC funding has also been successful in leveraging significant matching funds from federal, State, and private foundations. The Hawaiian Islands Land Trust supports the current funding levels for the PONC fund as approved by Hawaii's public to ensure that the most significant lands and resources on Hawaii Island will be preserved for future generations. Me ke aloha pumehana, YX Kawika K. Burgess Chief Executive Officer Hawaiian Islands Land Trust,126 Queen St. Suite 306, Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 791-0729 www.hilt.org Comm. No. 21.13