HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0988.023 2018-2020` i
From: alan everson
Seat: Sunday, July 19, 2020 9:30 AM COUNTY CLE
RK
COUNTY O I®I
To: Council Testimony CEI
Subject: Bill 178 hearing date 7/22/20 Time Mdm B
Dates JUL 1 9 2020
The passage of this bill is essential as an incentive for big island landowners to dedicate portions of their properties as
a method of restoring and preserving Hawaiian native forests. I am currently reforesting my 20 acre property in
Ahualoa. At present, in order to receive a tax exemption from Hawaii county, landowners must have at least 60% of
their property in natives. Under this bill, the exemption would start immediately upon approval of a reforestation
plan. This would save the landowner money that could be put into the reforestation project. If I could have taken
advantage of this when I first started my project and plan several years ago, I would have saved thousands of dollars.
Preserving and restoring native forests should be a top priority of the county. As former mayor Billy Kenoi recently
stated "The last pristine place in the world, at least in the Pacific, but I'm going to go the world, is Hawaii island". We
need to do everything possible to preserve the unique ecosystems that native forests support. Thank you for the
opportunity to submit testimony in support of Bill 178.
Aknn o erson
NIOA A fishery }biologist (retired)
Comm. No. Uri
Ref. o:
Ref. �a 4 2028
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