HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP LAAC 066 2024/07/23 2022-2024REPORT OF THE
LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE
DATE: July 23, 2024
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai `i
TIME: 12:04 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 941/Res. No. 561-24
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions, to which was referred Resolution
No. 561-24, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 561-24, transmitted by Council Member Rebecca Villegas, via Communication
No. 941, dated July 5, 2024, authorizes the Director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the
acquisition of lands and/or a conservation easement for all or a portion of the property identified as
Tax Map Keys: 7-6-021:016 and 017, situated in H61ualoa, District of North Kona, utilizing the Public
Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund.
The County seeks to acquire approximately 68.84 acres of land to protect and preserve cultural and
natural resources and open certain areas of the property for education, gathering, and cultural
practices. The parcel is listed as priority number eight in the 2022 Annual Report of the Public Access,
Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas thanked the community for getting this property onto the Public
Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation list and spoke briefly about this opportunity
for the community.
Property Manager Hamana Ventura stated that this property was previously ranked number eight on
the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund in 2022, and that there is no
willing seller.
Committee Members Lee Loy, Kierkiewicz, and Galimba stated their opposition to this resolution and
expressed their concern because there is currently a request for an extension of time on a change of
zone before this body for these parcels, and there is no willing seller at the time.
Chair Inaba commented that this resolution provides an opportunity for the County to act on
recommendations of the Cultural Resources Commission and allows an opportunity for the current
land owner, and that it does not guarantee a purchase of the land.
LAAC Report No. 66
LAAC-66 Page 2
July 23, 2024
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution No. 561-24, and recommends its adoption.
k"Mal
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
EVANS
x
GALIMBA
x
INABA
x
KAGIWADA
x
"NEALI'l-KLEINFELDER
x
KIERKIEWICZ
x
KIMBALL
x
LEE LOY
x
VILLEGAS
x
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE
APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS
HOLEKA GORO INABA, VICE CHAIR
LAAC REPORT NO.: 66
ADOPTED: AUG 0 7 2024