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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN LAAC 2024/07/09 (2022-2024)Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions 29" Session Hawai'i County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai'i July 9, 2024 CALLTO The regular meeting of the Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions ORDER: was called to order at 9:31 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair. Present: Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Vice Chair Ms. Cindy Evans, Member Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member (came in later) Mr. Matt Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Conu-nittee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Debbie Hecht: (representing Waimea Trails and Green Waste) Clemson Lam: (representing Waimea Trails and Green Waste) James Hustace: Res. 546 (Comm. 915), in support. Res. 546 (Comm. 915), in support. Res. 546 (Comm. 915), in support. Stephen Kirkum: Res. 546 (Comm. 915), in support. LAAC-29 July 9, 2024 ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. Res. 546-24: AUTHORIZES THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF LANDS AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS FOR ALL OR A PORTION OF THE PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED BY TAX MAP KEYS: 6-2-001:018, 019, 051, 074, 075, 088, 089; 6-2-002:006; 6-2-007:001; 6-4-001:032, 053, 054, 060, 114, 146, 155, 999; 6-5-003:001, 002, 004, 005, 031, 044, 045; 6-5-004:007, 012, 015, 025, 056, 063, 099, 108; 6-5-005:001, 009, 018, 020, 021, 023, 025; 6-5-009:102; 6-6- 001:002, 010, 038, 050, 077; 6-6-003:006, 007, 010, AND 013, SITUATED IN THE AHUPUA`A OF LALAMILO, DISTRICT OF SOUTH KOHALA, UTILIZING THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION FUND The County seeks to acquire approximately 90 acres of trail easements for the Ke Ala Kahawai `o Waimea community project, which acquisition would occur in six major increments designed to span from the town of Kamuela to the shoreline south of Kawaihae, and eventually connect into the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail system. The acquisition of trail easements is listed as priority number three in the 2023 Annual Report of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Reference: Comm. 915 Intr. by: Ms. Evans Motion to Approve: Ms. Evans moved to recommend adoption of Res. 546-24. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy. CHR. INABA: Council Member Evans. MS. EVANS: Thank you. Thank you, Chair. I'm asking my colleagues for favorable support. This community has been so dedicated to getting their trail. I've seen them over the years volunteer. The volunteers every single weekend creating the first section of the trail, which is in Waimea Town near the nature park. But as I've seen them look at their vision of going all the way to the coast, I'm reminded that Waimea was the old -is very historic with the agricultural systems where they grew food. And so, in the ahupua`a, you know, that's where the food was grown. And like the former testifier said, you know, King Kamehameha and his troops or soldiers, or his followers and the villages on the coast would go along the river and would go up and down that river. So, there's a real historic part. I've talked to the National Park Service and there has been identified, there still is many parts to the historic trail still intact. The vision, they'd love to be able to get close if not connect with the historic trail but that would depend if they can Page 2 LAAC-29 July 9, 2024 negotiate with the owners, the title holders of the TMK's (Tax Map Key). It's a fabulous opportunity. The other thing I wanted to point out is, if you look at the Community Development Plan (CDP) for what's happening between Waikoloa, Kawaihae, the Mauna Kea Resort, and Waimea, that triangle is where we're going through major, major developments. A lot of owners looking at subdividing. If you look at the transportation plan of actually how it's all going to connect into one region, and I think it's extremely timely that we get the trail now because it's coming, the development of that area. And one of the reasons is because they have water in that area. So, it seems that's a big focus right now for development. So, I ask for your favorable support. Thank you. CHR. INABA: Thank you. Further discussion? Council Member Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you. Absolutely happy to support this, but I did want to invite Hamana up to just add any comments as he made the trouble of coming down. Thank you, Mr. Ventura. (Note: At this time, Property Manager Hamana Ventura came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. VENTURA: Good morning. Hamana Ventura, Property Manager. And well, this is part of the process. So, at the end of the day, we lean on our Council Members to bring a resolution forward so that we have an opportunity to unpack and evaluate this particular resolution. And so, thank you, Council Member Evans for bringing this forward. CHR. INABA: Thank you. Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Congratulations. Thank you. This is really exciting. And thank you, Hamana, for recognizing that this is just part of the process. Having passed a half a dozen resolutions hoping to get PONC (Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation) properties purchased in District 7. Thankfully, a couple of them did come through, but this is an incredibly big project. But how exciting to have this potential alignment. You know, and as we've sat here for hours talking about safe roads and you have worked very diligently on some legislation related to that. This is just a real reflection of your commitment to your community to finding another alternate route for people that would like to bike or walk or run. And the historical significance of this trail and what it travels through is priceless as well. So, I'm a little envious that this entire trail even exists in this district, because wow, what a treasure. What a treasure. So, thank you, Hamana. Page 3 LAAC-29 July 9, 2024 I'm sure this is going to be one of those elephants that is one bite at a time, being that there are so many TMK's connected here. But, we're further along now than we've ever been and I'm so grateful for your continued diligence and integrity working with these kinds of projects and pulling these kinds of things together. It's truly a blessing and a gift to our community. So, thank you for your continued vigilance. And I'll be supporting this wholeheartedly today. With that, I yield. CHR. INABA: Thank you. Council Member Galimba. MS. GALIMBA: Thank you. Yeah, I of course support this in concept. It's a wonderful trial and will be a wonderful trail. But I just wanted to sort of, I mean manage expectations a little bit around this because it is going to be a massive undertaking. They talked about a 30 year —this is kind of a 30 year project in a way. But I had a couple questions and I'm not sure if it would be better for Mr. Ventura or for Council Member Evans, the question. But do you have any idea of what the money value, a price tag or estimated price tag on the acquisition of lands and easements on this trail? MS. EVANS: No. The area now is agriculture, but there is several property owners. One of them in particular is the Self -Help Housing Project that some land was donated for a Self -Help Housing Project, and then there is other land that is working with our Director doing a plan, either unit development or a subdivision. And as time goes on, if in fact they succeed getting that, then the value just keeps going up. So, by the time we get around to negotiating, it could change the value over time. If we could get it today, it would be what the value is based on today's zone, or you know, what approvals they've gotten from the County. The other thing is there's a, going along this, like people mentioned, there is several parcels that are state land, and so, the state, you know, we can work with them. And I forgot to mention that all of these TMK owners have been contacted. They're very aware that there is this intent. And the Mayor's been out there. He's walked the trail. He's asked Clem and the group to get letters of support from the owners, at least their openness to the discussion. And each one of them had indicated that they're open to the discussion, but again, the only chick in the armor was it was DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) until now. Gordon Height was telling me, based on the state legislature working really hard to do this, they're transferring the grazing lands, all ag grazing lands are going to the Department of Agriculture. And so, it's a new day coming up for. Instead of negotiating on the state land with DLNR, it's going to be negotiating with Department of Agriculture because they're in the process with the land already transferring. Page 4 LAAC-29 July 9, 2024 You know, it's going to be a process for him for sure. But the good news is everybody, everyone, even Queen Emma, you know, they all are aware that we're having this conversation, and they all seem very open to having a conversation. But again, we won't know the value until the time. MS. GALIMBA: Right. Isn't there like a DHHL (Department of Hawaiian Home Land) piece along there as well? MS. EVANS: Yes, there is. CHR. INABA: Council Member Galimba, perhaps you can address the property manager and the administration. And I just want to point out the time, just to keep us on schedule today. MS. GALIMBA: I guess my question would be how are you thinking about managing this very long, complex project? It is broken down into segments, so I think that would be helpful obviously, to work on segment one and two, but maybe if you could give some thoughts around that, that would be helpful. MR. VENTURA: Sure. So, this is community -commission driven. Now that we've reached this level, then we have the ability to start unpacking and evaluating. So, it's really hard to give an estimate of the scope of the project. I can tell by multiple TMK's that yeah, it's going to be a big one. But we're going to lean on the suggesters, the community, and those who support this project to help evaluate what the scope will be in the end. MS. GALIMBA: Thanks very much. I yield. CHR. INABA: Thank you. Council Member Kagiwada. MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Chair. Wow, this looks like a really great project. I'm really happy to support and, you know, appreciate you all taking on such a big project knowing that none of us will be here probably when, well not here anyway, when it's completed. But yeah, very much appreciated because these kinds of projects are just so hard to get off the ground and keep going. So yeah, I think it can be really great for the community. I love the combination of historical, cultural, and recreational all together. It's so important. So yeah, happy to support. I yield. CHR. INABA: Alright. There being no further discussion. MS. VILLEGAS: I just have one more quick thing. CHR. INABA: Council Member Villegas. Page 5 LAAC-29 July 9, 2024 Vote on Res. 546-24: (Approved) AT)IOITRN- Approved: MS. VILLEGAS: Just a quick shout out. I see Debbie Hecht in Kona. And a big mahalo to her for having played a key role in the creation of this fund to begin with, and for your continued support of all the projects aligned with it. I yield. CHR. INABA: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. And mahalo to all of our association folks from Waimea and community members as well for their participation. Definitely in support. There's a motion on the floor to forward Resolution 546-24 to Council with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, please say "aye." The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 546-24 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Evans, Galimba, Kagiwada, Kdneali'i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. INABA: And before we adjourn, sending a special happy birthday to Council Member Galimba today. And with that, we're adjourned at 9:55 a.m. There being no further business, Chair Inaba adjourned the meeting at 9:55 a.m. Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Chair Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee HI/tk �A/4?y (Date) Page 6