HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.033 2008-2010
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FG
Murashige, Laura
From: Debbie Hecht [hecht.deb@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 10:49 AM CU~9 ~~tl ~y 2 1
To: dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us; donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us; enaeole@co.hawaii:h.us, 'I
jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us; Billy Kenoi; Council testimony; EnriqVe6,LG -y;,Forct Brend~;ii
Greenwell, Kelly; Pete Hoffman; Yagong, Dominic
Subject: 2% Open Space Parcels currently for sale
Attachments: OpenSpacePropertiesChart wTMKs.doc; OpenSpaceBond-Explanation-2.15.09.doc
Aloha Council members and Mayor Kenoi-
Allow me to give you a little history about the Open Space Fund and clear up some confusion about why
there is $8.8 million in the 2% fund right now:
1. Only two parcels have been purchased in the last 2.5 years-
o Waipio Look out in Yagong's district and
o part of Kawa bay in Ka'u, which is Enriques district.
2. Please know that Harry Kim's administration was adamantly against the 2% fund from the
beginning and he appeared before the council and the Open Space commission asking that the
funds be used for Park maintenance (the ordinance says acquisition only).
3. I have no idea WHY the county has been stockpiling these funds and not been actively
negotiating on parcels that are for sale. The lack of progress in open space acquisition and
transparency in the county's negotiations has been a constant source of frustration to many people
in the conservation community.
4. An additional parcel of land at Kawa Bay in Ka'u, owned by Olsen, was under contract but the
county let the appraisal expire. I am unable to get an answer about the appraised value for this
land, but I believe it was to have cost the county approximately $5 milion.
5. The great gift of having a sure funding source like the 2% fund is that we can go after matching
funds. The "shame" of the county dragging their feet on the Olsen purchase was that we had
matching funds of $1.5 million from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Hawksbill
turtle and an additional $1.5 million from the State Legacy lands Fund which is funded from a
portion of the conveyance tax when real estate is sold. (This fund is now being proposed for
suspension for 4 years- so open space funding is evaportating)
6. FYI- There is a federal law to protect sellers, that requires that governments pay full cash value,
so when the values started to fall, the seller (Olsen) did not want to sell at for the reduced
appraised price.
7. There are actually 4 parcels for sale right now. 3 of which are approved (by resolution which
directs the Director of Finance to begin negotiations for acquisition) by the Council and were in
the top 5 picks of the Mayor for several years. ALL 4 properties have significant cultural sites.
The following parcels are actively listed with real estate brokers for sale-
The two websites below are for Kaiholena (in North Kohala)
Click here:
www.kaiholenasouth.com for the 11 I acres
or
www,kaiholenanorth.com for the 151 acres.
Click here for the listing for the Puapua'a property (in Kona on Ali'i Drive just norht of Casa de
Comm. No. L nn
.3 3
Ref. To: L
Ref. Dace AR 2 20
3/24/2009
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Emdeko:
http://www.konaalii.com/
The landowner for Pao'o (Kohala) has contacted Gail Byrne and is interested in selling for conservation.
My background for the last 30 years is in real estate land sales and development. I would be glad to
assist the county in anyway to acquire properties for Open Space and to increase our parks system as the
basis for an eco-tourism industry. From a real estate investment perspective, this economic downturn
represents a golden opportunity for the County.
It is my hope that the Council and Mayor, as our leaders, will be able to see the long- term big -picture.
NOW is the time to buy.
To leave a legacy and to provide land for recration for generations, PLEASE consider using the $3.5 to
$4 million per year to pay the principal and interest on a $50 million Open Space Bond which would
really enable us to save some of Hawaii Island's great places (see attached explanation about a bond)
Please call or email with questions. I have attached a list of properties approved by the Council for
acquisition. I can send you maps or meet with you.
PLEASE honor 57% of voters who want to save the Big Island's treasured places before they are lost to
development forever.
Mahalo,
Debbie Hecht
989-3222
Attachments:
1. Open Space Bond Explanation
2. Chart of Properties approved by the Council for acquistion
3/24/2009
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Open Space Bond can save Hawaii Island's Treasured Lands
for Parks
Do we need more parks? Should we save out treasured lands in this economic
downturn, while these properties are affordable? Hawaii Island's unique lands are the
basis for our quality of life and a potential eco-tourism industry. These lands need to be
saved now for our children and grandchildren. The $3.5 to $4 million dollars generated
from 2% of Hawaii county property taxes could be used as the principal and interest
payment for approximately $50 million of bonds. This is not a new idea! Over 200
communities across the US passed Open Space Bonds from 2004 to mid-2007.
Bonds are like your home mortgage. The county borrows money and then pays it back
at approximately 5% over 20 years. The approximately $3.5 to $4 million generated from
the 2% money could be used as the principal and interest payment on approximately $50
million in Bonds. Right now interest rates are low, the land values have decreased by
35% and are still falling. Some landowners with properties slated for development are
eager to sell. This economic downturn is a golden opportunity for the citizens of Hawaii
Coun ! If we had Open Space Bond money we could buy open space and parkland
properties now!
The Hawaii County Council has approved ten Resolutions, which instruct the Director of
Finance to begin negotiations for acquisition: Puapua'a Historic site (12+ acres north of
Casa de Emdeko- Ali'i Drive, Kona), Waipio Lookout (acquired), Honoli'!, Cape
Kumukahi, Ocean Park, Honolulu Landing, Wai'ele, Kawa Bay (partially acquired),
Punalu'u Beach park, Pa'o'o and Kiholena.
The County council could establish a procedure for Truth in Bonding, with full disclosure,
so citizens knew that our 2% money could go only to acquire properties prioritized by the
Open Space commission and approved of by the Council. Properties would need to be
acquired from landowners that were willing to sell. Another benefit of having Bond
money would be that the county could attract matching funds from the federal and state
governments, such as state Legacy Lands Funds.
How can this be accomplished? A simple change in the Open Space and Public Access
ordinance in the County Code, requiring that the 2% funding first be applied to pay the
debt service on an open space bond.
Questions? Call Debbie Hecht 989-3222-or email hecht.deb(a-)gmail.com
Coordinator 2% for the Land Fund Campaign