HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 055 Draft 03 2002-2004 COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 55 0:3
(Draft 3 )
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PRESERVATION ANll CONSERVATION OF
WAO KELE `O PUNA
WHEREAS, in December of 1985 the State of Hawaii exchanged approximately 27,800 acres of
ceded lands, once part of the Kingdom of Hawaii, that included the Wao Kele `O Puna Natural Area
Reserve and other Puna lands on the Island of Hawaii for approximately 25,800 acres of land at
Kahauale'a then owned by the Estate of James Campbell; and
WHEREAS, geothermal development activities were conducted in Wao Kele `O Puna, including
the building of roads, the clearing of a development site, and creation of geothermal waste holding ponds
and the drilling of one or more exploratory geothermal wells at the development site; and
WHEREAS, the Estate of James Campbell and True Geothermal Energy Company were
obligated by the permits issued by agencies of the Stale of Hawaii to conduct certain remedial activities
in regard to their permitted geothermal activities; and
WHEREAS, the Estate of James Campbell and True Geothermal Energy Company, a Wyoming
general partnership, has abandoned its plans to develop geothermal energy in Wao Kele `O Puna; and
WHEREAS, Wao Kele `O Puna was originally designated a Natural Area Reserve because it
possesses of certain unique and valuable ecological resources and values that are worthy of and
particularly merit protection and preservation; and
WHEREAS, the character of Wao Kele `U Puua includes traditional uses, Hawaiian burial sites
and underground lava tubes that are uniquely specific to the rain forest and would inhibit and make
inappropriate commercial development or uses; and
WHEREAS, the Estate of.Tames Campbell now wishes to dispose of certain non-income
producing lands it owns, including the lands in Puna known as Wao Kele `O Puna and KahauaLe`a; and
WHEREAS, certain nonprofit groups have expressed interest in purchasing Wao Kele `O Puna
for the purpose of preserving the land, and protecting its ecology and the traditional uses associated
therewith; and
WHEREAS, preservation and protection of Wao Kele `O Puna is in the public interest of the
people of the County of Hawaii and the State of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, the County of Hawaii wishes to be on record as supporting the preservation and
protection of Wao Kele `O Puna;
NOW, THEREFORE, I3E IT RESOLVED that the Hawaii County Council supports the effort
by conservation groups working to acquire Wao Kele `O Puna, for purposes of preservation and
protection.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that govermnent officials and agencies of Hawaii County and
the State of Hawaii are encouraged to support the effort by conservation groups working to acquire Wao
Kele `O Puna, since the county views this acquisition as a high priority that will promote county and state
interests, the general welfare, and county and state goals to protect important conservation lands;
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk transmit copies of this resolution to the
Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, U.S. Senator Daniel 6~ouye, U.S.
Senator Daniel Akaka, U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie, U.S. Representative Ed Case, Governor
Linda Linglc, and Trustees of the Estate of Tames Campbell,
Dated at , Hawaii, this day of , 2004.
LNTRODU~CED~BY:
c%'' "
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawaii Avss Noss nas rx
Hilo, IIawai`i nliAKnKI
CHUNG
I hereby certify that the foregoing RPSOLUTION was by ELARIONOPF
The vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the 1101 SCI IUI I
County of Hawaii on
IACOnSON
REYNOLDS
ATTEST: SAI~ARII<
IULANG
TYLIiR
Reference: C-178 • 4 ~PW&IP.G
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION
NO. Q3 (Draft 3)