MIN CHARTER 2019-02-08 (2018-2020)

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Hawai`i County Charter Commission -8 February 8, 2019 RECESS: RECONVENE: maintenance fund, so I am in opposition to this one. And in reference to Communication No. 18, which is the one that is the more holistic one, the needs for the uses of the funds, a lot of it comes from our experience, at Waipi`o Valley Lookout there is a lot of rain, sun, at different times of the year, and we had been volunteering as an organization and hosting work days where we would have to set up temporary shelter sometimes in the pouring rain, go there to do work and be caught in the rain and have no place to go and no bathroom except for down the lookout, and so there is... it has been a struggle the last few years to conduct the stewardship in the fact that the restrictions of the funds don't allow for bathrooms to be put there, so we couldn't propose that in our applications. They don't allow for construction of you know shelters or anything like that, so that we have to bring temporary shelters, set it up, and break it down before we leave if not, it might be vandalized or stolen. So those are really some important things for us. Those ones and the Department of Finance, they could be a better option to be able to oversee the maintenance grants. They are already involved in the purchasing and aware of the properties. The Department of Parks and Rees seems short staffed on this issue. They have been great in working with us when we are able to communicate on things, although just a general observation is that they seem short staffed. And as a, just a summary, so, we are representing Pohaha I Ka Lani, we are opposed to number seven, Communication No. 7, opposed to Communication No. 16, but in support of Communication No. 9 and No. 18. And a few last comments is that we have been humbled to be able to steward this property at the Waipi`o Valley Lookout that was purchased for cultural and historic preservation of the site. The site name is Koa`ekea we refer to it as it is really important, the history and genealogy of a famous Chief of Waipi`o. Our organization's mission is to revitalize and advance indigenous Hawaiian culture in the stewardship of this property and without this fund, this property is, you know, wouldn't be the same, and the viability of this fund I think is an important thing to take into consideration and I think that you know, some of the changes might affect the viability and that's a bigger discussion I think with Department of Finance could guide you guys on those ones because the maintenance fund wouldn't really be affected and there is the issue but if all the lands were going to be stewarded, how can they be maintained, and that is a question but I think for us volunteering for two and a half going on three years now, we have been humbled with this opportunity and I hope you guys see the importance of the PONC stewardship program. Thank you. CHR. ADAMS: Thank you. Are there any other comments, statements from the public? Kona? None here in Hilo? Public Statements, Statements from the Public are hereby closed. Without objection take a 10 minute recess. At 12:18 p.m., the Chair called for a recess. The meeting reconvened at 12:32 p.m. Page 20