HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0340.001 2024-2026Michelle M. Galimba
Council District 6
Portion S. Kona/Ka'u/Yolcano
Phone. (808) 323-4277
Cell: (808)430-4927
Fax: (808) 329-4786
Email:
Michelle. Galimba@hawaiicountygov
HAWAPI COUNTY COUNCIL
County ofHawai `i
West Hawaii Civic Center, Bldg. A
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.
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Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
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DATE: March 31, 2026
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TO: Dr. Holeka Gore Inaba, Chair
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FROM: W Michelle Galimba, Council Member
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SUBJECT: Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission
(PONC) Process Ad Hoc Committee Recommendation
Enclosed for your review and consideration is the recommendation of the PONC Commission
Process Ad Hoc Committee.
The PONC Ad Hoc Committee ("Committee") limited its evaluation to the PONC acquisition
process. The Committee met with Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell to initially review
PONC-related Charter, Code and Administrative Rules and practices, and with Deputy Finance
Director Malia Kekai, who, due to staffing changes at the time, had taken on the primary
responsibility for the PONC programs. The Committee subsequently met with the PONC
Commission and staff at their November 2025 meeting to gather input and information, and with
former PONC Commissioner Debbie Hecht. The Committee also reviewed the current list of
properties that have been ranked by the PONC Commission and included in the annual PONC
report since its inception, the annual PONC reports, and the 2022 Cost of Government
Commission Final Report on the PONC Program.
Common Themes
• Administrative changes and staff turnover during the past few years have hampered the
effectiveness of the program, however program is fully staffed at present
• Lengthy suggestion/nomination process leads to landowners disposing of their property on the
market or requiring bridge funding solutions for potential PONC acquisitions
• The Commission is dedicated but also bears a heavy burden for making the process work (site
visits, report generation)
Comm. N . 114.1
Ref. To:
HawalR County Is an Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer Ref. Date 26
• There is no means to evaluate or remove properties on the acquisition list should the status of
properties materially change
• Stakeholders desire more frequent and accessible meetings of the Commission and a more
expeditious and transparent process for evaluating and funding properties
• Some stakeholders would like to see more than one opportunity per year to submit
suggestions/nominations
• PONC Commission members work hard at evaluating and scoring project submissions and low
scores may reflect fundamental flaws with a submission or lack of alignment with the PONC
program
• PONC nomination, mayoral review and Council resolution process each have an important
filtering and engagement function
• Stewardship Grant Program needs update and clarification work
Recommended Actions
• Continue to support dedicated staffing for PONC program.
• Support the PONC commission to make meetings more accessible (videoconferencing).
• Return to previous practice of individual resolutions for nominated properties as this has a
function in building engagement and awareness.
• Develop legislation to allow for periodic reconsideration of properties that have been
nominated but have not been purchased (after 10 years for instance).
• Create a process to align historical nomination scores with current scoring standards.
• Shorten the processing timeline from submission to resolution as feasible.
• Provide more accessible public facing information on the status of properties after resolution is
adopted by Council.
• Consider forming a Stewardship Grant Ad Hoc Committee to explore update and clarification
of program guidelines.
The Committee would like to especially thank Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell for
the analysis of the annual PONC reports and evolution of the scoring systems over time, as well
as the County staff and PONC Commission members whose dedication to the PONC program
has sustained this invaluable program that preserves the natural and cultural treasures of Hawaii
Island.
PONC Ad Hoc Committee:
Councilmember Michelle Galimba
Councilmember James Hustace
Councilmember Heather Kimball
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