HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0105.004 2020-2022 P/FC
COUNTY CLERK COW 10
COUNTY OF HAWAII I
RECEIVED
February 12,2021 Time 1:04 L11.0t. wife
Date FEB 1 2 2021
Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder,Chairperson
H AWA I ' l Committee on Finance,County Council,County of Hawaii
L A N D T R U S T 25 Aupuni Street,Hilo,Hawaii 96720-4252
RE: Tuesday,February 16,2021 Committee on Finance Meeting
Board of Directors Testimony in Support of Comm. 105: 2020 Annual Report of PONC
2020
Board Chair Aloha mai e Chairman Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder and Commissioners,
Mary Charles Hawaiian Islands Land Trust,d/b/a Hawaii Land Trust("HILT")is Hawai'i's
Vice Chair islands-wide land trust that is both a Hawaii 501(c)3 nonprofit,and a nationally
Lisa Grove accredited land trust.Our mission is to protect and steward the lands that sustain
Hawaii,and to perpetuate Hawaiian values by connecting people to 'dina. HILT
Treasurer Island),
41 conservation easements restricting private land use(14 on Hawaii
Keith Ogata Island),owns and stewards 7 preserves statewide(I on Hawaii Island),
protecting over 21,000 acres throughout the pae'dina.
Secretary HILT humbly submits this letter of support for the Council's acceptance of
Jennifer Luck Comm. 105: 2020 Annual Report of the Public Access,Open Space,and
Past Chair Natural Resources Preservation Commission(PONC).
Jonathan Scheuer HILT applauds the County of Hawai' i for facilitating and managing an excellent
Neil Hannahs PONC program and timeliness of the 2020 nomination process and resulting
report.PONC funds are critical to ensure Hawaii Island's most precious lands,
Matt Beall food,and water sources are protected in perpetuity.This support,when done in
close partnership with'ohana and communities of place,also builds community
Le'ahi Hall resiliency and overall health.
Larry Stevens Highlighted in PONC's 2020 Report is the Miihukona Navigational&Cultural
Complex at Kohala,Hawaii(642 acres)project—land that was once slated as
Jody Kaulukukui another resort development along the Kohala coastline—and is now affording us
an opportunity to permanently protect the lands and waters that have and continue
Marissa Harman to teach generations of navigators and provide a sense of reprieve and well being
for Kohala and Hawaii island families.HILT is working in partnership with Na
Randy Vitousek Kalai Wa'a, local 501(c)(3),the four Kohala community groups who also
submitted the#3 ranking 2020 PONC nomination for Mahukona,and the greater
Jocelyn Herbert Kohala and Hawaii Island community to protect Mdhukona.These lands are
Theresa Young home to over 175 cultural sites including Ko'a Heiau Holomoana,and we are
diligently working to ensure access and stewardship to lands that can continue to
serve as a hub for educational,environmental,and cultural resiliency.
President&CEO Mahalo mri loa for your public service and for the opportunity to submit
Laura H. E.Kaakua testimony. We look forward to working collaboratively to protect our most special
places in the County of Hawaii.Please do not hesitate to reach out as we would
ph:808,791.0729 love to have you and your'obana for a COVID safe visit out on the land with us.
126 Queen St., Ste. 306 Malama pono
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
www.hilt.org
Shae Kamakaala
Director of'Aina Protection, shae(&,hilt.or , 808-940-0639 COMIh. No.
Ref.
Ref. Date- FEB 1 6 2021