The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0493.051 2000-20021 j`� S .i ' •� (�'t ..� I June 25, 2002 RECEIVED By---------- - -- AN OPTION FOR LAND ACQUISITION -`-- C„ounty Council/ P. Aloha Chair Leithead-Todd and Members of the Planning Committee of the County Council, Mahalo nui loa for taking the time to visit Kohanaiki last week to discuss some of the issues regarding the land. As you know, the Kohanaiki `Ghana and the general community have been advocating for acquisition and permanent protection of Kohanaiki for over a decade. At the public hearing in Kona last week, more than 250 residents showed up to testify in support of the recommendation of the Mayor, Planning Director and Planning Dept. for an Open Space designation along the shoreline. We firmly believe that amending the General Plan to create the Open Space designation is a just exercise of County Planning power. There is, however, a more permanent way to protect Kohanaiki, the cultural sites, cultural practices, the anchialihne ponds and wetlands as well as the integrity of the Kaloko-I-Ionokohau National Park from the impacts development. While the General Plan Amendments serve as a tool, discussing public acquisition at this time may be a better solution. Some topics for discussion would include: • There are approximately 450 acres for sale at Kohanaiki. • The County has proposed that about 200 acres along the coastline be designated Open Space • The county is owed over $3.5 million dollars in back taxes on the Kohanaiki property. • If the County uses this opportunity to facilitate an acquisition of the land, there are several factors that would make it a win / win for all parties involved and the outlay of money could be reduced. • Opportunities exist for partnering with private investors to facilitate acquisition and reduce costs. • Perhaps an Endowment could be created, whereby the interest would be used for developing the Park and the principal would stay in trust. P.O. Box 4753 • Kadu a -Kona, Hawaii 96745 • Tel (808) 323-0844• Fax (808) 325--6322 t091 w.koh=ai&org • ko iki0kow- na I� ee Z ! Z° 1~ Q .e-0 -2 - As a local community group, the Kohanaiki `Ghana can play an active role in the stewardship and maintenance. We are at a very important crossroads in the struggle to acquire Kohanaiki for a park. Our hope, since 1990, is that the County, State, and Federal Government would work together with the community to establish a public / private partnership to acquire Kohanaiki. This may be our opportunity. The Open Space designation is a step in the right direction. Public acquisition would be a better solution and fair to both the public and the private property owner. We can avoid the "takings" issue and move forward towards a pro -active plan. In July 1991 Mrs. Mink introduced HR 3140, to direct the Sec. Of the Interior to acquire 25 acres along the shoreline of Kohanaiki as authorized in the original legislation to establish the Kaloko-Honokohau National Park. The Department of Interior has expressed interest in adding the 25 acre Congressionally Authorized Park Boundary to the National Park. They are allowed to add 5% more land to the park without an Act of Congress. In November 1991, the County of Hawaii unanimously adopted Res.380-91 which supported Mrs. Mink's resolution noting " it is of extreme importance to recognize the significant cultural, environmental and recreational value of the whole Kohanaiki area" This acquisition has not yet taken place, but may play an important role in piecing together the acquisition opportunity. Located between Kaloko-Honokohau National Cultural Park to the south and OTEC the Natural Energy Lab to the north, it is appropriate that Kohanaiki be a place where traditional Hawaiian values are comobined with modern technologies. We envision a park and multi cultural center utilizing innovative community stewardship and management techniques. As a 501(c)3 non profit organization, the Kohanaiki `Ohana is committed and dedicated to this vision and will work together with the State, County and Federal Government as well as the private sector to reach our goals. Our consultant, Pete Dangermond, has been working with the Kohanaiki `Ghana for over a year to develop a strategy for acquiring the land and create a conceptual plan for a Park as well as an Economic component to support the acquisition, taxes and development. The Dangermond Group specializes in park and environmental and cultural based planning. His consulting service has been in the area of natural and historic land preservation. Assistance involves helping locally based not profit groups fight inappropriate development, mediating between landowners/ developers and community groups, finding funding for land acquisition, negotiating the purchase of the lands, and helping promote positive solutions. While Parks Director for the State of California, Pete helped preserve thousands of acres of land for public use. The Dangermond Group is willing to participate with Chris Yuen and the County to further these design plans. -3 - In closing, there are a number of options for public acquisition. Maui County is contemplating a Charter Amendment this November to dedicate funds for public land acquisition. Perhaps a similar plan would be an opportunity for Hawai'i County to create a mechanism for public acquisition of important lands. Taxpayers would be more than willing to support this type of expenditure. Please join the community and the administration and support the Open Space designations along our remaining undeveloped coastline not only for Kohanaiki but for all of the designated areas. And for Kohanaiki, let's work together to acquire the property now! Mahalo again, for your interest and concern and for considering this discussion. Karen Eoff For Angel Pilago and Kohanaiki `Ghana Cc Mayor Harry Kim Chris Yuen Rep. Patsy Mink Pete Dangermond Maile David David Frankel Wayne Leslie Jack Kelly James Arakaki Aaron Chung Leningrad Elarionoff Dominic Yagong Nancy Pisicchio Curtis Tyler Julie Jacobson Gary Safarik LAsCRATORT OF 14AWAR - t t O A 2. t PONT t q ., el FAIX Www AA P40W 'elm n:... LOCAVON - KALOKO ,ARK xc ALOKO / 0 H A U KOHAU - 4 1 a ...® ®maw A ✓`- o. NM vi YM P • K ALA H v J COUNTY OF • =a OF RESOLUTION NO 3SU-MS11- (DRAFT 2 ) WHEREAS, Kaloko-Honokohay. National Historical Park was established in 1978 under Public Law 95-62S; and WHEREAS, the Kaloko-Honakohau National Historical Park was established in order to provide a center for the preservation, interpretation and perpetuation of traditional Native Hawaiian activities and culture; and WHEREAS, Kaloko-Konokohau is one of the few remaining sites in Hawaii where one can truly see how the Native Hawaiians built their homes, provided food for their families through fishpond culture, lived their lives, and honored their dead; and WHEREAS, it is our responsibility as fellow inhabitants of these islands to perpetuate the heritage of the Ancient Hawaiian who worked the land and sea, worshiped their gods and pursued their lives in the entire area .now designated as the Kaaloko-Honokohau National. historical Park; and WHEREAS, the Kaloko-Hono3fohau National historical Paris boundaries were also established to demonstrate historic land use patterns as well as to provide a needed resource for the education, enjoyment, and. - appreciation of traditional Native Hawaiian activities and culture by local, residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, Kaloko--Honokohau is a place where all people of our times, young and old, can experience the true essence of the Hawaiian people and should be protected and preserved for future generations as a natural monument to the way of the life in early Hawaii; and WHEREAS, the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is home to the endangered Hawaiian Stilts and Hawaiian Coots. marine mammals and Sea Turtles, 'Opae-*Ula, rare types of snails, and native plants like Naio, Noni, Kou and others; and WHEREAS, it is of extreme importance to recognize the significant cultural, environmental and recreational value of the whole Kohanaiki ,area; and WHEREAS, aG 3,500 -foot strip of coastal land 300 -feet wide on a private owner's property was also included within the Congressionally authorized boundary of Kaloko-Honokohau National historical Park; and -2 - SEAS, this legislation is currently pending action in the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs; and wHERF-AS, further legislation may be introduced to extend National Park Service jurisdiction to include tate shoreline of Kohanaiki known as "Pinetrees". NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT"RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it urges the F4deral Government negotiate with the landowner for the acquisition of the 3,500 feet from the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park northern, ocean boundary to wawabiwea Point. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress consider the availability of funds, for acquisition of private land. development of the existing park lands and whether the State Land use conditions presently imposed on the landowner would meet the needs and intent of the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED. that we further endorse that the National Park service be directed to preserve and maintain Kohanaiki's shoreline for public recreation and access through further legislation and that this Council objects to any admission charge or restrictions be placed on shoreline access for residents if the private lands are acquired as part of a national park. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii County Council further objects to the Federal Government land barking the shoreline area owned by Nansay (zoned Resort) and that the purchase of this land be negotiated immediately. -3 - Cour CCVNCM C®vt$y of H:wat $isles, Hawaii I he"by certify that the fongoing USOLUTION was by the vote iadicatmd to the tight hereof adopW by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawes ROLL GALT.. VOTE titled HR 3140 IH 102d CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3140 6/24!02 5:14 PM ..To direct the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by condemnation a 25 -acre shorelinparcel within the boundaries >f Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 31, 1991 Mrs. MINK introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Interiad Insular Affairs A BILL Co direct the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by condemnation a 25 -acre shorelinparcel within the boundaries of Kaloko4-1onokohau National Historical Park. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States q merica in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. LAID CONDEMNATION. In accordance with section 505 of Public Law 95-625 (92 Stat. 3499) and the firsection of the Act of August 1, 1888 (ch. 728, 25 Stat. 357; 40 U.S.C. 257), th(Secretary of the Interior shall initiate proceedings to acquire by condemnation theremaining 25 -acre parcel of land located along the shoreline within the boundaries ofKaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. END ,'r//thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?c102:.ltempl--cl02F70TgR Page I of 1