Laserfiche WebLink
REPORT OF THE <br />LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE <br />DATE: March 18, 2025 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawai i <br />TIME: 11:49 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 164/Res. No. 95-25 <br />Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions, to which was referred Resolution <br />No. 95-25, reports as follows: <br />Resolution No. 95-25, transmitted by Council Member Heather L. Kimball, via Communication <br />No. 164, dated February 26, 2025, authorizes the Director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the <br />acquisition of all or a portion of the properties identified as Tax Map Keys: 2-7-011:001 and <br />2-7-010:027, situated in the Ahupua`a of Kawainui and Onomea, District of South Hilo, utilizing the <br />Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. <br />The County seeks to acquire approximately 81.19 acres of land to protect and preserve cultural and <br />natural resources and open certain areas of the property for educational, gathering, and cultural <br />practices. The parcel is listed as priority number two in the 2024 Annual Report of the Public Access, <br />Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. <br />Committee Chair Heather L. Kimball relinquished the Chair to Vice Chair Dennis "Fresh" Onishi. <br />Ms. Kimball gave an overview of the parcels and provided information on its unique biodiversity <br />indicating the urgency to preserve this space for use by future generations. She further added <br />Makahanaloa Fishing Association has secured $1 million from the State of Hawai`i's Division of <br />Forestry and Wildlife Legacy Land Commission for the purchase of said parcels, while providing a <br />sound management plan to maintain them as a community asset. <br />Finance Deputy Director Malia Kekai was in attendance and responded to inquiries from Committee <br />Members James Hustace and Dennis "Fresh" Onishi relating to a management plan for the hardwoods <br />on the property, Finance's role in the process, and stated that they stand ready to move forward with <br />appraisals. <br />Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions is in accord with the purpose and intent <br />of Resolution No. 95-25, and recommends its adoption. <br />AYES <br />NOES <br />ABS <br />EX <br />GALIMBA <br />X <br />HUSTACE <br />X <br />INABA <br />X <br />KAGIWADA <br />X <br />KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER <br />X <br />KIERKIEWICZ <br />X <br />KIMBALL <br />X <br />ONISHI <br />X <br />VILLEGAS <br />X <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE <br />APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS <br />ATHER L. KJX4BALL, CHAIR <br />LAAC REPOWO 11 <br />ADOPTED: 02 <br />