HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0315.047 2020-2022 WENDY SCOTT-VANCE
Post Office Box 785
Na'alehu,HI 96772
Phone 808.929.9735
Fax 808.929.9735
khandro@juno.com
August 4, 2021
Hawai'i County Council
Re: Resolution 161, PONC funds in support of Ala Kahakai Trail Association's
Efforts to Protect Kiolaka`a in Ka'u, Hawai'i
`Ano`ai a me ke aloha, County Council Members,
Mahalo for this opportunity to testify on behalf of the acquisition to protect and ,
preserve 1,841 acres at Kiolaka`a. .
My name is Wendy Scott-Vance. I am President of Ho`omalu Ka'u, a 501(c)3
organization in Na'alehu, Ka`u, Hawaii Island. Our mission is to "perpetuate, protect
and conserve the land, culture, knowledge and history of Ka`u and its people." I
was a "founding mother" of Ka `Ohana 0 Honu'apo and a board member from 2005-
2013. I was also the Ka`u representative for the effort to get the 2% for the Land
program (now the County's PONC program) on the ballot. I've lived in Hawai'i for 45
years, and am a long-time Ka'u resident living at Wai`oma`o, Kalil, since 2000. While
my mo`oku`auhao does not connect me to this land, my na'ao and my pu'uwai do. I
love this place; it is my home.
The Ka`u community (as expressed in the Community Develpment Plan) is united in
its desire to see the last 80 undeveloped miles of its coastline protected. The
beautiful Kiolaka'a stretch of the costliine is an important piece in realising this
vision. It is now threatened with a large-scale subdivision which would impact
important cultural sites, native (and endangered) plant habitat, open space and
public access. The state BLNR through the Legacy Lands Commission has already
approved grant funding for the preservation of this wahi pana. I implore the Council
to the same.
I would also like to express my support of the Ala Kahakai Trail Association (ATA).
They are committed to community input in a management plan for community-
based management which will include public access, education and resource
protection.
Mahalo for your time and consideration of this crucial land acquisition,
Wendy Scott-Vance bn .41
Comm. fib
Ref. To: Yl �(�j
ReF. Dote 4"44,110 2021