HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0208.062 2004-2006 Page 1 of 1
Robello, Alfred
From: jocelyng@hawaii.rr.com
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Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2005 10:59 AM hme.!~'.h?. _
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To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us Date____.__.6.'.3~,QS.___._.__..~
Subject: Support for Bill 78. 2% of Property Tax Revenue for a Land Fund only Counc~4
Please support a Land Protection Fund for Hawaii County as proposed in Bill 78.
[ am a resident of Kailua-Kona and also serve on the board of the Hawaii Island Land Trust and I am
writing to voice my support for Bill 78. I have witnessed first hand how much setting aside at least 2%
of property tax revenue can do to create opportunities to preserve open space, important ecological
habitats, and sites of hisoric and cultural significance. I spent a summer working with the Maui Coastal
Land Trust before moving to Hawaii Island, In Maui County, the voters established a land fund in 2002.
Using money from that fund, the Maui Coastal Land Trust was ablo to attract matching federal funds
and fundraise from private individuals enough money to purchase 277+ acres of coastal dune habitat on
Maui's Northwest shore, at Waihe'e. At one time, the area had been designated for development as a
large golf course/resort. The community was divided about this fate for the land! ,and man
Land use is at the core of many of the issues our growing Island population is dealing with. By setting
aside designated funds, Hawaii County can be in a position to negotiate with private landowners who
may he entitled to something in exchange for relinquishing development rights. A dedicated Land fund
could give the County time and space to work with landowners and developers to reach collaborative
solutions.
There are organizations here in Hawaii County, that can work cooperatively with the County to steward
lands that are protected by conservation easements and/or purchased outright with county funds. }'lease
support Bill 78. It will give us a chance to make strategic choices about the future of development and
conservation in Hawaii County.
Thank you for considering this testimony.
Jocelyn B. Garovoy, Esq.
Comm. No. (r0'~/Z
Ref. To:Prese ~
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5/3/2005