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Murashige, Laura t
From: FredCachola @aol.com rid o
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Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 2:21 AM ,-
To: counciltestimony @ co.hawaii.hi.us; dikeda @co.hawaii.hi.u; donishi @co.h v�ii,hi�us,
enaeole @co.hawaii.hi.us; dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us; genriques @co.hawaii.hi.us;
bford @co.hawaii.hi.us; kgreenwell @co.hawaii.hi; jyoshimoto @co.hawaii.hi.us;
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Cc: NAIHE @msn.com; sundownertoni @yahoo.com; gailbyrne @hawaii.rr.com; kohalal @yahoo.com;
dcfuertes @aol.com; davidkahanu @hawaii.rr.com; hecht.deb @gmail.com; wlau @co.hawaii.hi.us
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 Maikai Kamakani o
Kohala - a registered 501c3 educational, cultural preservation group in North Kohala; Hawaiian Researchers
Ohana - a research /study group in Hawaiian history and culture focusing on Kohala; and Malama 1 Na Wahi
Pana o Kohala - a historic places preservation group based in 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 organizations that I represent, along with several other Kohala community groups like KAKOO, 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 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 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. Without these places to sustain our visitor industry, our economic
future is dismal.
In summary, we cannot allow our special places to be coveted and converted to gated communities, private
enclaves and plush estates for the selfish and sole enjoyment of the very rich who can afford to buy any lands,
at any price, any where in the world. We must acquire these special lands and open spaces now, before we
lose them forever. We need a secured source of public funds to compete successfully with these private, well -
endowed investors. We need a firm commitment of the full 2% Land Fund... and we need that commitment
clearly stated by THE PEOPLE. Put the question to them...put it in the charter amendment. . .let THEM
decide.
Mahalo for allowing me to submit this testimony. I am available to answer questions and for any further
comment or clarification at this email address or my cell phone, 808.271.0743.
Me ke aloha pumehana, Com, Na. g(f ( .�
Rof. To: U
Ref. I;`at -) JUN 2 4 2O1U
6/23/2010