HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0186.042 2020-2022 From: Janice Glennie
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2021 11:48 AM COUNTY CLERK
To: Council Testimony COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
Subject: Support PONC acquisition • RECEIVED
Time 11:59 a"• Byetir(
Date , APR 1 9 2021 ,
Aloha council members,
I strongly support Res. 80-2, Res 81-21 and Res 82-21. Those parcels under consideration for PONC acquisition are
clearly deserving of that protection. The best way to insure those lands are protected in perpetuity is through this
process and the funding which is available to procure them.
As a long time surfer who learned the ropes here in Kona (and specifically there on Ali'i Drive) over 30 years ago, I
understand the importance of people recognizing that the sport they love is founded in Hawaiian culture--- in this
exact place under consideration today.
And it's quite amazing that endangered species like the Hawaiian hoary bat continue to live in this area along with
some native species of plants. Offshore waters are, of course, connected to these lands as all water flows back into the
sea. Those waters and their inhabitants are critical to our community's subsistence, recreational and cultural activities.
Though some parts of the properties have been altered by man, keeping what's not bulldozed and rejuvenating what
hasn't been will help to protect and recharge nearshore waters naturally by filtering them through un-concreted space
— space that will become an even more precious commodity as development continues in this area.
Along with the importance of perpetuating the history, culture and environment of Hawaii is the dire need to protect
public open space as part of smarter growth communities. This is especially true in dense areas like Ali'i Drive. As
the longest active community member in the Kona Community Development Plan, I understand the vast benefits of
implementing the concepts of Smart Growth which includes protecting green spaces within mixed use, walkable
communities. What could be better than protecting not just open space, but seriously important cultural space within
that community realm? Each day we and our Keiki can be educated merely by living near and walking through and
with the living and past culture of those spaces. This kind of resource can never be replaced or replicated.
Please approve the acquisition of these three properties immediately to stop the Hawaiian-ness from being stripped
from them—and us.
Mahalo and sincerely,
Janice Palma-Glennie
KaiIua-Kona,llawai'i 967+5
Comm. No. l VD-111
Ref. To: Pi FC,
Ref. Date APR 2 0 2021