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From: Ambika <ambikarose@hawaiiantel.net> <br />Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2018 9:22 AM <br />To: Charter Commission <br />Subject: I support 2% Land Fund <br />aALOHA, <br />Charter Commission members! <br />I SUPPORT STRENGTHENING THE 2% LAND FUND PROGRAM! WE support using a portion of the 2% Land Fund monies <br />to pay a staff person who is dedicated to the administration of the 2% Land Fund Program. We believe that this would <br />result in more properties being acquired, more matching funds being obtained and more stewardship grants being <br />awarded. Citizens have proposed 180 properties, since 2004 and only 14 have been acquired. We can change this and <br />strengthen the 2% Land Fund Program by having a dedicated staff member who works ONLY on the 2% Land Fund <br />Program. <br />The 2% Land Fund Program has been very successful. In the last 14 years, 4,400 have been acquired on the Big Island for <br />a cost of $27 million, one third of which was from matching funds. There is one more property that should close soon in <br />Ka'u, which is 2,200 acres. The land fund is working to preserve Hawaii Island's treasured lands, but we can make it <br />more successful by having a dedicated staff member. In addition we must retain the following clause to obtain matching <br />funds and protects these lands in perpetuity that says: "This property (or easement) was acquired with money from the <br />Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. It shall be held in perpetuity for the use and <br />enjoyment of the people of Hawai'i County and may not be sold, mortgaged, traded or transferred in any way." <br />Mahalo for your kokua to save Hawaii Island's treasured places. <br />Ambika Rose <br />82-6103 Napoopoo Road <br />Capt. Cook, HI 96704 <br />Sent from my iPhone <br />1 <br />Comm. No. 24.4 <br />