HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0124.019 2004-2006 z;.e . ~dl'~
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Post Office Box 895
Honaunau, HI 96726
808-328-9635
March 15, 2005 ~ ~ '
To: Hawaii County Council
From: Jocelyn B. Garovoy, Esq.
RE: Testimony in support of allocating funds for land conservation -
I submit this testimony as a member of the Board of the Hawaii Island Land Trust,
formerly known as the Kona Land Trust.
Every year millions of dollars of Federal funds are available for land acquisition
and conservation, but those funds must be matched by local funds to be drawn to Hawaii.
By dedicating a percentage of the current budget to land conservation, the County can
draw millions of Federal matching dollars to Hawaii County and allow our state and
County governments and non-profit conservation groups to protect land for the future.
Here on Hawaii Island, critical opportunities to protect rare ecological and cultural
sites continue to arise as the Island's population grows and development increases. One
specific example of a special place that local residents are working actively to protect is the
Honu'apo tidal estuary. Honu'apo is valued as an important and rare ocean access on the
rugged Ka'u coast, a community gathering place, and the site of historic Hawaiian
fishponds. The land around Honu'apo is currently in escrow, to be sold to a mainland
developer if funds are not raised to secure it for continued public use. State and County
dollars can and should help to fund this and other projects around the Island where it is
apparent that the best outcome is continued public use of the land and/or protection of its
natural resources.
Considering the varied landscapes that make the Big Island so unique, it is evident
designated county funds will be instrumental in helping to retain the character of Hawaii
Island as its population and demand for resources continues to grow.
Please consider this need as you deliberate over the County's budget. Mahalo for
the opportunity to submit this testimony.
Jocelyn B. Garovoy, Esq.
Board Member
Hawaii Island Land Trust
Comm. No. '
Ref. To: PtesenN
R;f. L`ate MAR 2 9 205