HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP LAAC 039 2026-04-21 2024-2026REPORT OF THE
LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE
DATE: April 21, 2026
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 10:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 818/Res. No. 516-26
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions, to which was referred Resolution
No. 516-26, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 516-26, transmitted by Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, via
Communication No. 818, dated March 25, 2026, authorizes the Director of Finance to enter into
negotiations for the acquisition of lands or conservation easements for all or a portion of the
properties identified as Tax Map Keys: 1-4-002:002, 017, 042, 047, 048, 058, 065, 072, 080, 082,
085, 092, and 100, also known as Kumukahi, situated in the Ahupua`a of Kula, District of Puna,
utilizing the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund.
The County seeks to acquire approximately 1,967.96 acres of land that is listed as priority number
three in the 2025 Annual Report of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Preservation
Commission (PONC).
Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz expressed appreciation to the community partners and
`ohana who testified in support of the resolution. She noted that this effort reflects many years of
work across multiple mayoral administrations and emphasized the importance of enabling lineal
descendants to steward this significant and culturally rich area. She further acknowledged the
readiness of the Kuamo`o Foundation and the 15hui of Hui Ho`auhuli stewardship organizations
and highlighted the rare alignment among property owners in support of preserving these lands.
Committee Chair Heather L. Kimball expressed strong support for the proposal, noting that it
reflects the intended purpose of the PONC program. While recognizing the substantial coordination
required among the `ohana and community, she conveyed confidence that County acquisition will
best serve the interests of lineal descendants and the broader community.
Committee Members Jenn Kagiwada, Matt K5neali`i-Kleinfelder, and Rebecca Villegas also
expressed their support for the resolution and extended appreciation to the measure's sponsor and
testifiers, stressing the importance of preserving these lands for their environmental and cultural
value in perpetuity.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas inquired about the next steps in the PONC process,
particularly regarding the distinction between individual resolutions and the prior year's bulk
resolution that accepted nominations from the Commission and was forwarded by the Mayor.
LAAC Report No. 39
LAAC-39 Page 2 April 21, 2026
Department of Finance PONC Program Manager Ben Shapiro and Property Manager
Shannon Arquitola responded that a fully adopted resolution, whether considered individually
or collectively, is required before the Mayor and Director of Finance may proceed further, which
includes negotiations.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Jean Campbell further clarified that the bulk resolution adopted in
the prior year pertained specifically to the Commission's 2024 Annual Report and that the
property identified in Resolution No. 516-26 appears in the Commission's 2025 Annual Report
and therefore requires separate Council approval pursuant to Section 2-2.8 of the Hawaii County
Code. She added that the use of a bulk resolution has thus far been limited to the 2024 report.
Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions is in accord with the purpose and
intent of Resolution No. 516-26, and recommends its adoption.
dbk
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
X
HUSTACE
x
INABA
x
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`r-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
ONISHI
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE
APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS
ATHER L. KIMBALL, CHAIR
LAAC REPORT NO.: 39
ADOPTED: MAY Q 5 2026