HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0459.042 2024-2026From: Angelic Ebbers
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Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 9:36 AM
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To: Council Testimony
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Subject: Please Support Res. 286-25 — Purchase Honolulu Landing via PONC
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Aloha Council Chair and Councilmembers,
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I'm writing in strong support of Resolution 286-25 urging the Mayor to acquire Honolulu Landing through
the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund (PONC).
Honolulu Landing has been identified for protection since the early days of the PONC program and was
designated eligible for County negotiation in 2007. Todaythe opportunity —and risk —are both acute. The
property comprises two TMKs totaling-364 acres: a —30-acre, nearly one -mile oceanfront strip long used
by the public for fishing, gathering, and recreation, and a —334-acre mauka parcel (A-1 a) containing
significant cultural resources and a Hawaiian village with living lineal descendants. With a willing seller
and active private marketing, delay substantially increases the chance of a piecemeal private sale.
For Puna, preservation here is both overdue and essential. Our district lost important shoreline access in
the 2018 eruption and has benefited from only a small share of PONC acquisitions to date. Securing
Honolulu Landing would protect community access, safeguard irreplaceable cultural sites, and create a
foundation for partnership with qualified Native Hawaiian —led and community nonprofits ready to kokua
with stewardship.
I respectfully ask the Council to pass Resolution 286-25 and to urge the Administration to:
• Complete the County market assessment promptly and initiate negotiations with the willing seller
within PONC's "no more than market value" constraints;
• Pursue acquisition of both TMKs as a unified conservation purchase to avoid fragmentation;
Engage lineal descendants and experienced stewardship organizations early to shape a culturally
grounded management plan.
Mahalo for your leadership and for advancing a once -in -a -generation opportunity to keep this beloved
ahupua'a in public hands for today's residents and future generations.
Me ke aloha,
Angelic W. Ebbers
Puna District resident
Comm. C22025
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