HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0327.003 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
PALL 7 l Ct'1,1 27
From: Malie Larish [malielarish @gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2011 10:13 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Open Space Fund Amendment
Dear Council Members,
Page 1 of 1
PIFG
Please support the proposed changes to the Hawaii County Charter Open Space funding provisions so
that the public can decide at the polls in 2012 whether or not to make the minimum deposits of 2% of
our property taxes to the land fund. The public has already made its voice heard by approving the open
space fund twice. Kama'aina and tourists treasure the natural beauty that these open spaces provide.
Properties Acquired by the County since 2006* costing Hawaii County $11,297,000:
1. Waipio Look out for $902,145. (Hamakua Coast) (No matching funds)
2. Kawa Bay (Puna) $1.9 million County with $1.2 from the State Legacy Lands and funds from
US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the endangered Hawksbill Turtle
3. Kaiholena North (Kohala) $6.55 million with no matching funds
4. Pao'o (Kohala) $945, 000.00 with $945,000. From NOAA
As you can see there are still many properties to be acquired, costing millions of dollars. The county's
suspending deposits to the fund for two years (2009 -2010) really slowed down the acquisition program.
The following properties were on the Commission's recommended list to the Mayor from 2001 -2010,
but have not been acquired.
Pohoiki Bay (Puna), Keawenui Access Easement (Kohala), Hamakua Springs Agricultural
Conservation Easement (Hamakua), Hapu`u to Kapanai`a Cultural Corridor (North Kohala), Kawa
(Ka'u), Kingman Trust (Kona), Kahuku Coastal Property (Ka'u), Kaiholena -south (Kohala),
Kukuipahu- Ha`ena Corridor (Kohala), Mahukona (Kohala), Honolulu Landing (Puna), Wai'ele (Puna),
Puapua'a (Kona), O'oma II (Kona)
* The Open Space Commission's Annual Reports and the Financial Data can be found at
•
http: / /www.hawaii- county.com /finance /ponc.ht_m
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Thank you,
Malie Larish
Comm. No. 3)-7.3
ief. FC
..e;. ate,SEP 7 2011
9/6/2011