HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 595 Draft 01 2024-2026
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, FOR COST SHARING
TO PURCHASE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT FOR THE KEALOHA FAMILY LOʻI IDENTIFIED AS TAX MAP KEY NOS. (3) 5-2-009:025 AND (3) 5-2-009:026 THROUGH THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL
RESOURCES PRESERVATION PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, Section 46-7 of the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes requires the consent of the Council in order for the County to enter into an agreements with the federal government or any other
public body respecting action to be taking pursuant to any of the powers granted to the County by law and furnish, expend, and receive any funds or other assistance in connection with
projects being or to be undertaken pursuant to those powers; and
WHEREAS, Section 10-15 of the Charter of the County of Hawai‘i (hereinafter “Charter”) provides for a Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund (hereinafter
“Preservation Fund”) to acquire lands and easements within the County for public outdoor recreation, education, the preservation of land and coastal areas, and the protection of natural
resources; and
WHEREAS, the Kealoha Family Loʻi consists of approximately 2.39 acres, and is ranked the second highest priority for acquisition in the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources
Preservation Commission’s 2025 Annual Report to the Mayor, dated December 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 513-26, dated April 22, 2026, authorized the Director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of conservation easements for all of a portion
of the properties identified by Tax Map Key Nos. (3) 5-2-009:025 and (3) 5-2-009:026, also known as the Kealoha Family Loʻi, situated in the ahupuaʻa of Niuliʻi, District of North Kohala,
utilizing the Preservation Fund; and
WHEREAS, Section 10-15(g) of the Charter states in the relevant part that “[t]he highest and best use of this fund is to leverage the money in this fund by attracting matching funds...”;
and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (hereinafter “NRCS”), is authorized to contribute up to 50% of the purchase price in federally-derived
funds for the acquisition of the Kealoha Family Loʻi conservation easement; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance wishes to enter into an agreement with NRCS to match these funds, reducing the County’s overall cost to acquire this conservation easement, which will
be co-held with the Hawaiʻi Land Trust; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that, pursuant to Section 46-7 of the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, the Mayor is hearby authorized to enter into an agreement with
the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, for the purposes herinabove described.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Finance is hereby authorized to make necessary payments or expenditures in accordance with the terms of this resolution.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Director of Finance.
Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I