HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0333.008 2020-2022 P/FC
Box 1467
Pahoa, Haw N 9677
( 0 -2000
www.malamaopuna.org * malamaopuna@yahoo.com
ProtectingHawaii's precious natural heritage
August 2, 2021
RE: Testimony in favor of Resolution 170-21
TO: Hawaii County Council — Finance Committee
Aloha Committee Members,
The organization Malama O Puna strongly supports the acquisition of the Wai'ele property
with PONC funding. This property is of great historic, cultural, and ecological significance.
It is part of a section of the Puna coastline that local residents have sought to protect from
development for many years. The property is adjacent to the Kahuwai property owned by
Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estates which is considered to be one of the oldest coastal
villages settled by Polynesian voyagers on the Island of Hawaii. As such, the Wai'ele is a
perfect candidate for a PONC purchase.
Members of Malama O Puna, specifically its Vice President Ann Kobsa and former board
member, Theresa Donham, who is retired from the State Historic Preservation Division,
have been ensuring the preservation of historic sites and threatened/endangered native
plants on the Wai'ele property for over a decade. It is hoped that as a POMC purchase, an
appropriate management plan can be developed to ensure this property is properly
preserved in perpetuity.
Recently, unauthorized bulldozing that exceeded the bounds of the issued Special
Management Area (SMA) permit provided by the County illegally opened the Wai'ele
beach to unwelcomed motorized vehicles. Breach of permits such as this are important to
counteract, and the purchase of this property now, with development of an appropriate
management plan, couldn't come at a more critical time in the preservation efforts of this
special property.
Mahalo for your consideration,
Eileen O'Hara, Executive Director
Comm. No.
Ref. To:
Ref. Date 9023