HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0682.008 2022-2024 P/Courtc i
Res.1408-241
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Punahoa
P U`A FOUNDATION t Heritage Forest
Empn acrinq L,dnad. I..F.miu<.&Communities
TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF AGENDA ITEM-Reso.408-24
FOR THE MEETING OF THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
DATE:February 7,2024;TIME: 1:00 P.M.
Hawai`i County Building t --
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo,Hawaii 96720 -1 c..
Aloha e Chair- Heather Kimbal, Vice Chair- Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, and members of the
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Hawaii County Council: 4,- _,
This testimony is in strong support of Reso.408-24: A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING 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: 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
Specifically,as outlined in the resolution,the Punahoa Heritage Forest Property would be
significantly beneficial to the County of Hawai'i and the Hawaii island community as a method of
preserving history specific to the ahupua' a of Punahoa as follows:(1)protecting cultural and
natural resources;(2)preserving native forests and native plants including a kipuka that is home
to endemic birds such as the' amakihi and'io;(3)providing educational opportunities;
(4)facilitating responsible managed public access;(5)providing opportunities for protection of
the Hilo Watershed,along with groundwater recharge and coastal ecosystem health;(6)enabling
community-based management and stewardship;and(7)perpetuating Hawaiian cultural
Practices.
Accordingly,on behalf of the Pu`a Foundation, and its partners, especially those included in
the Foundation's PONC Suggestion Form application our partners and supporters included:
United Church of Christ, Hawaii Conference Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Lono Honua
-Halau `Ohi`a-Kekuhi Keali`ikanaka`ole, Kamehameha Schools, and State Council of
Hawaiian Congregational Churches,we would like to express our strong support for Reso.
408-24, and urge the Council to pass this measure.
Thank you for your consideration, and the opportunity to provide testimony. Please
contact me if you have any questions, or if there is anything else that I can provide.
Mahalo nui!
Toni Bissen, Executive Director Pu`a Foundation
P.O. Box 11025, Honolulu, Hawaii 96828
Email: toni.bissen@puafoundation.net
Websites: www.puafoundation.org; www.punahoaheritageforest.org
2/7/24-Kea Foundation Testimony in Support of Reso.408-24-Hawaii County Council Meeting
Comm. No (, o
Ref. To: i
Ref. Date r.
Pu`a Foundation - Reso. 408-24 °°° `°°"°°"°"
FOR THE MELTING OF THE IIA13AI.l COUNTY COUNCIL-LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE
DATE:January 23.2024:TIME:10aa)A.M.:LOCATION:West Hawaii Civic Center:74-5044 Ane Keuhokalole Highway.Building A.Kailua-Kona.I lam ai'i
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Reso.408-24:A Resolution Authorizing 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 Tao Map Key(3)2-5-001.011,Situated In The Ahupuaa Of Punahoa,District Of South Hilo,Utilizing The Public Access,Open Space,And Natural Resources Preservation Fund.
Punahoa Heritage Forest-4 Entities, 1 Stewardship Plan
Pu`a Foundation, Hawaii County, United Church of Christ, The Nature Conservancy
Goal: Preserve and protect the natural state of the forest.
Two Missions: Environmental & Cultural -Achieving Biocultural Restoration
Punahoa Heritage Forest
4 Entities—1 Stewardship Management Plan
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Pia Ad1ap�4 ape
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p oat , vapuka
/ :230 acres
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22 acres
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pareek 4 h of Chr15 Conser„ation Bose , ., . le%d"_s.
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united Chu seoncv holds a :ot0 ,.
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7M Nature ., ;r..a- --- s.,... P
rM^t ...Ana k c,'''°
52 acres 0 ,matlon ettu Fence arO N,tivec
parCe1 OUndatl Onted PONC PrOPeM.co oe,to b^vasNes acres ...
p V a F ArceD Sge a 1q1
Howaii county' I✓ a
Pu'o Foundation,Hawaii County, UCC, The Nature Conservancy
Goal:Preserve and protect the natural state of the forest.
Two Missions:Environmental&Cultural-Achieving Biocultural Restoration
1. Fence Kipuka- Install fence around the Kipuka - 230 acres (Parcel 4 & Parcel 11)
2. Adjacent to Kipuka-Remove invasives, Plant Natives - 104 acres(Parcel 4)
3. Staging for Fence - Equipment& materials, & Remove invasives, Plant Natives- 141
acres(Parcel 11)
4. On Parcel 4 and Parcel 11 - design trail system
2/7/24-Pu'a Foundation Testimony in Support of Reso.408-24-Hawaii County Council Meeting
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