The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0800.000 2006-2008 +tv os• • William Takaba Harry Kim Mayor Director r Nancy E. Crawford r.•;~ Deputy Director h•~NA~r County of Hawaii Finance Department 25 Aupuni Street, Room 118 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 _ (808) 961-8234 • Fax(808)961-8248 November 5, 2007 Pete Hoffmann, Chairman and Members of the Hawai'i County Council Hawai'i County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Re: Operating Budget The State of Hawai'i, Hawai'i Tourism Authority has authorized $60,000, through its Natural Resources Program, to the Department of Research and Development to extend the Waipio Park Ranger Pilot Program. With the Waipi'o Valley being a very popular tourist destination, the County will be using the grant funds to extend the educational program that monitors commercial and visitor activity, reports any illegal activity to law enforcement, serves as educational resources for the public, enhances the visitor experience, and protects the environment. Enclosed is a resolution to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the State of Hawai'i, Hawai'i Tourism Authority. Also enclosed is a bill for an ordinance amending the Operating Budget by appropriating this Waipi'o Park Ranger Pilot Program grant. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Department of Research and Development. William tba aDirector of Finance APP~R~O/V~EED~: Harry Kim Mayor Comm. No. 5bo Enc. Ref. To:_ Ref. Date~~pV p 7 9007 cc: Research & Development Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Form B-52 7/18/91 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DEPARTMENT: Research & Development DATE: Oct. 8, 2007 STAFF CONTACT: Beth Dykstra PHONE: 961-8366 A. REQUEST: To authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) for a Natural Resources Program contract in the amount of SIXTY THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($60,000.00) to extend the Waipfo Resource Ranger Pilot Program a second year thereby enhancing the project's prospects for continuity and success, in this program, Rangers serve as educational resources who remind all visitors of expected behaviors and promote zero-impact recreation. This program of education and resource protection will enhance the visitor and resident experience and sustain the precious natural treasure that is Waipfo Valley. This educational program is a collaborative effort involving the Waipfo Circle, Friends of the Future, R&D, P&R, Public Works, Police, and HTA. B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED): Waipfo Valley is a popular tourist destination. Destructive and illegal activities in the valley and at the scenic overlook have increased over the past few years and concerns have been raised by community members, park staff, and landowners that these activities are damaging the environment, creating safety hazards, tarnishing the visitor experience, degrading cultural treasures, and offending the host culture. Complicated issues of access and of assigning oversight for public activity on private land in Waipfo Valley, and within multi-jurisdictional areas, have been debated for years. This program will stem the tide of further damage. The ranger program strives to ensure the safety of all visitors to and residents of Waipi'o Valley; enhance the visitor experience by providing education about the area's natural and cultural history; enhance the reputation and regard of legitimate business in the tourism industry; and enhance the overall appearance (e.g., cleanliness) of the scenic overlook area and County Park. Recognizing the value of community-based efforts, the County of Hawaii has partnered with the community by entering into a contract with Friends of the Future, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization based in Waimea and deeply involved in Waipi'o Valley since 1991. Friends of the Future is implemeting the pilot program with the support, advisement, and involvement of the Waipfo Valley Community Circle, Kanu o ka 'Aina Learning 'Ohana, Bishop Museum, Kamehameha Schools, Kanu o ka 'Aina New Century Public Charter School, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. This unique partnership combines community wisdom with coordinated support from county government, state agencies and community-based organizations to implement a program to raise visitors' awareness of the Valley's history and cultural significance. SIGNED: C _ DATE: i 0 /Z--S /d-l 111fl Dep vent Head GRANT SUMMARY (Supplement to B-52, Request for Council Action Type of Grant Appropriation being requested: ew or an additional appropriation) ® New (for this fiscal year period). OR ? Additional appropriation (to an existing grant); Is a draft agreement attached? Has the original grant notification been transmitted to ? Yes ® No Council? ? Yes ? No Name of Grant Program: Waipi o Ranger Pilot Program--Year Two Grantor: Hawaii Tourism Authority County Grantee Department or Agency: Research and Development County Grantee Contact Person: Beth Dykstra Phone Number: 981-8334 Amount of Grant: $60,000.00 Grant Period (Commencement & Completion): October 2007 - September 2008 Purpose of Grant: Continue the pilot ranger program at Waipi o Valley for a second year County Match required?: ® Yes ? No If yes, Matching Amount? $30,000.00 Budgeted in account# : 010.161.5161.60 In-kind? Explain: $40,000.00 website development by Friends of the Future Webmaster; interpretive training by the National Park Service; Nonprofit management program administration costs; R&D administrative oversight Explanation: County's personnel requirements: Amount of new position(s)? Qty: _ Permanent: ? Temporary: Duration: Full-time: ? Part-time: Time Element: Qty: 1 Contractual: ® Explain: R&D will contract with community-based non-profit organization to manage the pilot program Explanation: Additional Comments about Grant: B-52 Grant Summary Form