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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN LAAC 2025/09/02 (2024-2026)Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions 141h Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii September 2, 2025 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions ORDER: was called to order at 12:18 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Chair Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Vice Chair (came in later) Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member Mr. James E. Hustace, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member (came in later) Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (came in later) Absent & Excused: Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee 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: Paula Pippen: Donald Pippen: Greg Owen: (representing Wa`a Wa`a Communication Hui) Amadeo Markoff: Lehua Kaulukukui: (representing Keliipio-Kuamo `o Foundation, Inc.) Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. LAAC-14 ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS: James K. Kaulukukui: (representing Keliipio-Kuamo`o Foundation, Inc.) Pauline Lilinoe Keliipio-Young: (representing Keliipio-Kuamo`o Foundation, Inc.) Sandee Maeda: Jeannette Bento: September 2, 2025 Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Colburn V. Ohia: Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Jon Wakefield: Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Sharon Leong Moraes: Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. (representing Na `Ohana Tutu Mary Kau`i Kuamo`o `o Keli`ipio) Marci Browne: Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Joseph Lepore: Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. James Freedman: Ruth Robison: Sylvia Dolena: (representing Rising Ohana) Emily Naeola: Lisa McNamara: J. Leina`ala Sleightholm: Tom Cumming: Eileen O'Hara: (representing Malama O Puna) Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. Res. 286-25 (Comm. 459), in support. The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Order of Resolutions. Page 2 LAAC-14 September 2, 2025 Res. 286-25: URGES THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PROCEED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF HONOLULU LANDING IN THE DISTRICT OF PUNA USING THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION FUND Urges the Director of Finance to acquire approximately 364.4 acres of land to protect and preserve cultural and natural resources and open certain areas of the property for educational, gathering, and cultural practices. Reference: Comm.459 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Motion to Approve: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend adoption of Res. 286-25. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you so much, Chair. I'm looking out into the audience with just great awe and gratitude for the number of folks that took time out of their day to be here and to share the importance of this particular `aina to their `ohana and to the more than 150 individuals that took the time to submit testimony. Thank you so much. You know, I appreciate Eileen (O`Hara)for reaching out to our office; Noeau, Uncle Keone. A number of community members reached out and said, "Hey, these properties are on the market." The opportunity is now for the County to push forward and acquire these parcels. I wish Aunty Emily (Naeole) were here so I could thank her. But when she was on the Council, these properties were placed on the PONC (Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resource Preservation) list in 2006; received a score of 85 and ranked Number 5. And so she went ahead and put forth the resolution, which is required, to then mobilize the Finance Director to start entering into negotiations. Almost two decades later, nothing has really happened, and I think it's really disheartening to see that it hasn't happened considering there's over $30 million in the PONC fund and a number of properties that folks in the community have taken the time to elevate and say we want to preserve this. Natural cultural resources are so incredibly important and with the onset of the internet and Instagram and YouTube, I swear every other day I am hearing some influencer talking about, "I'm moving to Hawaii. Come buy this land with me." And it pains me because I still have; we have `ohana and friends that are still renting that cannot afford to buy. So it is incumbent upon this County. The time is now to act with urgency to acquire these properties. I see that our Deputy Finance Director is here and Hamana Ventura with Property Management. I don't mean to put you guys on the spot, but I will. If you could kindly come forward. Just wanting to get a sense of where we are, you know, Page 3 LAAC-14 September 2, 2025 wanted to leverage this moment. Properties are on the market up for sale; by doing something like this we are able to assert, I think, in a very diplomatic way, public pressure on the administration to move forward on acquisitions. So I'm just trying to understand the lag in time, but also what we can do today to move forward on this opportunity? (Note: At this time, Deputy Finance Director Malia Kekai and Property Manager Hamana Ventura came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. KEKAI: Sounds good. Malia Kekai, Deputy Director of Finance. We won't have to push them very much. Actually the Mayor gave us the go ahead to work on procuring an appraisal a few weeks ago. So that's actually where we are. And then in the PONC process, what happens next is we get the appraisal, we have the price, we start to talk to the seller about how much we can offer because we are limited basically to the appraisal price. We can't go above that. So then that may be when we need a little help if we need to put pressure on the seller if they don't like our price at that point. So yeah, we're moving forward; it is in the mayor's top five. And so hopefully once we get the appraisal back in, I would say after procurement it probably takes about 30 days. So within the next two to three months we should have, you know, the process moving and understanding whether we'll be moving forward or whether we have to engage in different types of negotiations. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you for the update. Hamana, anything you want to share. MR. VENTURA: Hamana Ventura, Property Manager. I think Malia covered the process in itself and where we are in the process. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. I think it's very heartening for everyone to hear that there is forward movement and we look forward to the next 30 days and few months to see what sort of developments there might be. I hope that the conversations are fruitful and positive. And then I just wanted to take a moment to call out our particular `BE IT RESOLVED" clause here in the resolution regarding the stewardship of this particular `aina, made sure to include lineal descendants because, Aunty, just hearing from you talk about your connection to this `aina and wanting future generations to also know their roots and where they come from; I think it's so important that you're part of the conversation about how we can steward this land in perpetuity. So thank you for being here. I really appreciate it. Colleagues, just looking for your continued support on this. This process was activated almost 20 years ago by Aunty Emily, and this is just one additional push Page 4 LAAC-14 September 2, 2025 in this moment given these parcels being available for acquisition. So looking for your support. Thank you so much. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Going to Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you. Thanks so much. Hi, Hamana. Welcome back. It's nice to see you. Thank you for being here, Deputy Director Kekai as well. Just a couple of quick questions. What's the current balance in PONC? I thought it was $30 million as well, but I heard that it was — MS. KEKAI: It's a little under $30 million; it's $29 million, I don't have the exact figures. MS. VILLEGAS: That's fine. MS. KEKAI: $29 million and some change. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay. So we're right about there. Also, who owns this piece of property current? Who's the owner of Honolulu Landing? MS. KEKAI: It's a business. It's called like Mana, I forget the exact name of their company, but I can get that information for you. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay. So would it be safe to assume it was a corporate interest, and it was an investment property, or have they owned it since it was put on the PONC list? MS. KEKAI: I just looked at the property website, but I don't think they've owned it since 2006, but for the last several years, yes. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay. So they have just put it on the open market? MS. KEKAI: You know, I tried to look up the listing before I. came down here today and I've been looking for it and I couldn't find it. So if somebody could send it to me, I would greatly appreciate that. Yeah, perfect. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay, great. And then who's the broker or real estate agent? MR. VENTURA: Brent Wenner. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay. In Kona? Wenner? MR. VENTURA: Yes. Page 5 LAAC-14 September 2, 2025 MS. VILLEGAS: Great, thank you. So we don't have an appraisal value as of yet? MR. VENTURA: Not yet. MS. VILLEGAS: So we don't know yet. Somebody said something about the assessed value versus the asking price. Do we know what the property is currently listed at? $3.9 million. Okay. And it sounds like it won't be any problem to have a nonprofit with lineal descendants, cultural practitioners, to be the management arm of this. This whole program is very close to my heart, and I am so grateful, impressed, and honored to learn so much about the lineal descendants from this place. I'll humbly admit hearing the word Honolulu, you know, in my mind that's, I don't know of another Honolulu on other islands. There probably are because there are very similar place names. But through the testimony what became very clear to me also is that name being important in my mind here to make sure that this sacred space does not become the Honolulu of Oahu. And as we continue to navigate challenges in rural communities being built without infrastructure, we know there are issues with cesspool and really the lack of feasibility of putting in sewer lines and sewer systems there. So the concept of this becoming hundreds of homes seems preposterous to me. But I know there are people online that are looking for large lots of land and they see something, "Oh, $4 million; 300 acres," and they just hear Hawaii. So that would be a travesty. So I will be in full support. I also just want to make sure to clarify, we've passed legislation prior this year which sent the message that the Council approved the complete list of the PONC properties brought before us this year, but this property was approved for the PONC list 17 years ago, 2006. So it's necessary to bring a separate resolution again or not particularly necessary, but I see the need to have the conversation and bring it to public's mind, administration's mind; also send a message to the property owners. I'm really grateful to be working with some wonderful partners in District 7, and there's some people in the real estate industry that when they are approached by people who own large lots of land like this, with the potential to sell, that our sacred bastions of cultural and archaeological, and historical treasures, that they encourage them to go to the PONC process instead of the open market. And so I also just feel like I want to put that out there to all people working in the real estate industry. Should you have a client who happens to own a property, that in my mind, it is just pono, this should be and must be returned to the people of this place. Just one more statement. Page 6 LAAC-14 September 2, 2025 As we are, I don't know about all of you, but I know quite a few people enjoying a television program right now that is bringing back to light the cinematography that supports it in the film, other than being able to see and experience brings this more tangible experience to what Hawaii was like, and the people and the places. And so I just hope that that continues to inspire us all to be responsible for the returning and the regeneration and the regeneration and the restoration of sacred spaces like this. I'll be in full support today. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. Council Member Kierkiewicz, did you want to respond to Council Member Villegas's last question? You had a question about if it was necessary. Okay. Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Yeah. Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz, for bringing this forward. And I'm in full support, my own `ohana coming from lower Puna as well. Perhaps, I would suggest being that this has been on the list and was approved so long ago that we would have an update in a couple of months regarding this acquisition and hoping to have some good news by then that we can share with community. But in full support. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member. Anyone else? Alright. Seeing none, we will move forward on the vote to send Resolution 286-25 to Council with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor say "aye." Vote on Res. 286-25: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 286-25 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Kimball — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder —1. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you everyone for your testimony today. Moving on to our next item. Res. 287-25: ACCEPTS THE DEDICATION OF A ROADWAY LOT IDENTIFIED AS TAX MAP KEY: 2-4-080:044, SITUATED AT WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO, ISLAND, COUNTY, AND STATE OF HAWAI`I, FROM MAILANI DEVELOPMENT, LLC The landowner seeks to dedicate the roadway and all improvements for public roadway purposes. Reference: Comm.460 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball (B/R) Page 7 LAAC-14 Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend adoption of Res. 287-25. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. September 2, 2025 CHR. KIMBALL: This was introduced by request. I'm not sure if we have anybody to present on behalf of the administration. Is there anyone online, Tiff? I apologize. I cannot answer any questions about this. Like I said, it was requested on behalf of the administration. Okay. Well, that said, it is fairly self- explanatory. I can try to ensure that we get somebody here for the Council hearing if folks are okay with moving this forward. MR.INABA: Chair? CHR. KIMBALL: Yes. Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Thank you. I'm just seeing; well, this looks like this might have been initiated with the previous administration and maybe some overlap with the current so maybe if we could have all relevant departments review ahead of Council? Thank you. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Hustace. MR. HUSTACE: Thanks, Chair. I just had a, can't be answered today, just a question on that connectivity to the next street over. So in preparation for Council meeting, what that means in terms of connectivity, intersection -wise, so forth; those sorts of things. Thank you. I'll just leave that there for now. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. I will be sure to convey that to Corporation Counsel. Further questions? Seeing none. All those in favor please say "aye." Vote on Res. 287-25: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 287-25 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Kimball — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder —1. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Seeing no further business on the agenda. Page 8 LAAC-14 ADJOURN- MENT: Approved: September 2, 2025 There being no further business, Chair Kimball adjourned the meeting at 1:27 p.m. s. Heather L. Kimball, Chair Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee HI/tk I/AA�es (Date) Page 9