HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0682.003 2022-2024 P/LAAC
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Phone: 808.537.9516
CONFERENCE
+ + Fax: 808.531.2637
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January 22, 2024
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Hawai'i County Council
West Hawai'i Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A ' c_D
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Re: Resolution No. 408-24 Punahoa Heritage Forest Property r.w :
Dear Chair Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba,Vice Chair Michelle M. Galimba, and Members of the
Hawai'i County Council:
I write in support of Resolution No. 408-24 which AUTHORIZES THE DIRECTOR OF
FINANCE TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF LANDS
AND/OR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS FOR ALL OR A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY
IDENTIFIED AS TAX MAP KEY(3) 2-5-001:011, SITUATED IN THE AHUPUA'A OF
PUNAHOA, DISTRICT OF SOUTH HILO, UTILIZING THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN
SPACE,AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION FUND.
The Hawai'i Conference Foundation is collaborating with the Pu'a Foundation to
facilitate the Punahoa Heritage Forest initiative because we believe that the preservation of this
property would benefit cultural and natural resources, preserve native forests and plants with
endemic wildlife,provide educational opportunities, facilitate responsible public access, provide
opportunities for protection of the Hilo Watershed, enable community-based management and
stewardship, and perpetuate Hawaiian Cultural practices. The Hawai'i Conference Foundation
holds adjoining land (tax map key(3) 2-5-001:004) which we have dedicated to conservation
purposes together with The Nature Conservancy, so the extension of a conservation easement to
the Pu'a Foundation property would create an assemblage of land that would enhance
conservation efforts in the area.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Andrew Bunn
Executive Director r„G�.
Comm. Ivor, 1110
Ref. To:
Ref. Dote .l_AM 2 3 2024
This Foundation is dedicated to promoting the interests and welfare of the Hawai`i Conference of the United
Church of Christ, its member churches and affiliates, continuing the first Christian work started in Hawai`i in 1820.