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1 j`� S .i ' •� (�'t <br />..� <br />I <br />June 25, 2002 RECEIVED <br />By---------- - -- <br />AN OPTION FOR LAND ACQUISITION -`-- <br />C„ounty Council/ P. <br />Aloha Chair Leithead-Todd <br />and Members of the Planning Committee of the County Council, <br />Mahalo nui loa for taking the time to visit Kohanaiki last week to discuss some of <br />the issues regarding the land. As you know, the Kohanaiki `Ghana and the general <br />community have been advocating for acquisition and permanent protection of Kohanaiki <br />for over a decade. At the public hearing in Kona last week, more than 250 residents <br />showed up to testify in support of the recommendation of the Mayor, Planning Director <br />and Planning Dept. for an Open Space designation along the shoreline. <br />We firmly believe that amending the General Plan to create the Open Space <br />designation is a just exercise of County Planning power. There is, however, a more <br />permanent way to protect Kohanaiki, the cultural sites, cultural practices, the anchialihne <br />ponds and wetlands as well as the integrity of the Kaloko-I-Ionokohau National Park from <br />the impacts development. While the General Plan Amendments serve as a tool, <br />discussing public acquisition at this time may be a better solution. Some topics for <br />discussion would include: <br />• There are approximately 450 acres for sale at Kohanaiki. <br />• The County has proposed that about 200 acres along the coastline be designated Open <br />Space <br />• The county is owed over $3.5 million dollars in back taxes on the Kohanaiki property. <br />• If the County uses this opportunity to facilitate an acquisition of the land, there are <br />several factors that would make it a win / win for all parties involved and the outlay <br />of money could be reduced. <br />• Opportunities exist for partnering with private investors to facilitate acquisition and <br />reduce costs. <br />• Perhaps an Endowment could be created, whereby the interest would be used for <br />developing the Park and the principal would stay in trust. <br />P.O. Box 4753 • Kadu a -Kona, Hawaii 96745 • Tel (808) 323-0844• Fax (808) 325--6322 <br />t091 w.koh=ai&org • ko iki0kow- na <br />I� <br />ee <br />Z <br />! <br />Z° <br />1~ <br />Q .e-0 <br />