HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0846.008 2008-2010 Page 1 of 2
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Murashige, Laura (M 54(a t -
From: toni withington [sundownertoni @yahoo.com] t.. i u ,v
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:22 AM i p i ' t'
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us; dikeda @co.hawaii.hi.u; donishi @co.hawaii.hi.us, ` yt"„
enaeole @co.hawaii.hi.us; dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us; genriques @co.hawaii.hi.us; r -u
bford @co.hawaii.hi.us; kgreenwell @co.hawaii.hi; jyoshimoto @co.hawaii.hi.us;
phoffman @co.hawaii.us
Cc: Fred Cachola; Gail Byrne; kanoa withington; stephanie naihe
Subject: Bill 263 -- 2% Land Fund charter amendment
Alohe Hawaii County Council Members:
I urge you to vote in favor of Bill 263...to put the 2% LAND FUND on the ballot
along with the 1% Land Fund charter amendment being introduced by the Charter
Commission and LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.
Please consider this as supportive testimony for Bill 263, being submitted on
behalf of Kamakani 0 Kohala Ohana -- KAKO'0, a 501c3 communty group
dedicated to preserving the traditional culture, environment and recreational
needs of North Kohala.
We are in strong support of Bill 263 for the following reasons:
1.The funds generated by the 2% of property taxes will come from THE PEOPLE.
. .therefore let THEM decide what percentage and amount of the funds they would
like to designate for the purchase of some very unique and special places in our
Hawaii island.
2. THE PEOPLE have already spoken clearly on this issue when
THEY APPROVED the 2% Land Fund by an overwhelming 63% of voters in
2006. Let them speak clearly once again in the proposed charter amendment of
2 %.for the Land Fund.
3. The organization that I represent, along with several other Kohala community
groups like Maika'i Kamakana 0 Kohala, have been working for 30 years to protect
the unique cultural and natural resources in Kohala. . .especially those key parcels
within or adjacent to State properties. ..like Lapakahi /Nuuanu, Pao'o and
Kaiholena. We have witnessed with great joy that the 2% Land Fund was used to
purchase and save these special places for the use and enjoyment of THE PEOPLE
of Hawaii County. The 2% Land Fund program does indeed work, it does attract
matching funds, and it saves those special places so that they ".... may not be
sold, mortgaged, traded or transferred in any way" . .they are saved in perpetuity,
just as previously intended by the voters in 2006.
4. We need the full 2% amount as previously approved by the voters. 1% of
property taxes is about $2 million per year and 2% is double that, $4 million per
COMM. too. /3'
Ref. To
6/24/2010 Ref. Date JUN 2 4 2011
Page 2 of 2
year. Land is expensive in Hawaii County. The purchase of lands that are very •
special to the increasing population of Hawaii county is one of the
best "investments" for use and enjoyment of future generations. . .and for the
economy of our County.
5. The visitor industry is a major factor that drives our economy. .and more and
more visitors will come and continue to come IF they can visit, observe, enjoy and
immerse themselves in special places with unique environments of great natural
beauty. ..and inspirational places that can also inspire significant cultural /spiritual
experiences. The 2% Land Fund is a direct investment which will surely improve
and sustain a vibrant economy, by assuring that we will continue to have these
special lands and open spaces that attract and will continue to attract more
visitors in the future.
Therefore we urge you to pass Bill 263 and give the people a choice.
Toni Withington
Kamakani 0 Kohala Ohana -- KAKO'O
P.O. Box 76, Hawi HI 96719
kamakani.org
6/24/2010