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REPORT OF THE <br /> LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE <br /> DATE: May 2, 2023 Re: Comm. No. 241/Res. No. 141-23 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 2:02 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions, to which was referred Resolution <br /> No. 141-23, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 141-23, transmitted by Council Member Rebecca Villegas, via Communication <br /> No. 241 dated April 11, 2023, authorizes the Director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the <br /> acquisition of a conservation easement of Tax Map Key: 7-6-004:003 situated in the District of <br /> North Kona, also known as Historic 88 Temples Walk, utilizing the Public Access, Open Space, <br /> and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. <br /> The County seeks to acquire a conservation easement on approximately 2.488 acres of land to <br /> provide pedestrian access to H61ualoa Village, facilitate reconstruction of historic trails and the <br /> Shikoku Pilgrimage Monument, and expand opportunities for recreational, educational, and social <br /> activities. Acquisition of a conservation easement on this parcel is listed as priority number 7 in <br /> the 2022 Annual Report of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation <br /> Commission. <br /> Council Member Rebecca Villegas explained that she worked to remediate the challenges in the <br /> H6lualoa School area as to its traffic and safety hazards and added that this resolution provides <br /> much needed connectivity. Ms. Villegas said there are many living relics and pieces of history that <br /> still exist in the H6lualoa area and that there are many others that have been destroyed. She is <br /> grateful that the County is able to purchase and create this corridor for the health, safety and future <br /> of H61ualoa. <br /> Finance Property Manager Hamana Ventura briefly explained he is looking forward to working <br /> with property owner Larry Smith and consultant Ed Rapoza on this property. <br /> Pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 42 of the Hawaii County Code, the Director of Finance may be <br /> authorized to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of property utilizing the Public Access, <br /> Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. <br /> LAAC Report No. 16 <br />