HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0487.001 2012-2014 COUNTY CLERK
Barbara Bell COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
RR2 Box 3881, Pahoa HI 96778 3 RECEIVED
Time j' Y---�--
bbellster@gmail.com 808.937.2573 Date "3
December 2, 2013
County of Hawaii County Council, Finance Committee
25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720
Aloha to all Council members,
Re: COUNCIL RESOLUTION 201-13
This letter is to document my strong support for the Council Resolution authorizing the purchase of
the Vacationland Land Trust properties (previously the Hara family properties) at TMK 3 - 1 - 4 -
002:037 & TMK 3 - 1 - 4 - 002:051) which total -322 acres and lie between Highway 130 (the red
road), Kapoho Kai Road, and the Puna coastline. The parcels contain about 4,000 feet of shoreline. I
live in Kapoho Beach Lots and know this coastline quite well.
The primary reasons I support this acquisition are:
• To protect the established Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD) at Kapoho. By avoiding
development, the pollution that naturally comes with any disturbance of land, is eliminated.
Preventing algae blooms or more nitrogen entering the ocean would be an incredible benefit to
all of us as this marine sanctuary is the second largest fish nursery in the state. In addition, the
coastline associated with these parcels makes up at least half of the coastline of the MLCD.
• To protect an undisturbed lowland forest as these are quite unusual in Hawai'i. The amounts
and types of endangered or threatened animal species who frequent the area is impressive -
Amaki`i (Hawaiian Honeycreeper), `lo (Hawaiian Hawk), and `Ope`ape`a (Hawaiian hoary bat)
to name a few. In addition, a Hawaiian Monk Seal is often seen here, resting.
• To protection of historical & cultural sites, including ancient burial sites.
• To relieve some of the pressure of access to the MLCD, which owners in our neighboring
subdivision, Vacationland, have born since inception of the MLCD. This subdivision of about
200 house lots, with about 120 homes, has private roads which are maintained through annual
fees. At last count, 70,000 visitors per year visited the MLCD, and with every new guide book
touting the "real" Hawai'i, this number only increases. The Vacationland House lots
Community Association (VHCA) has at various times, provided portable toilets, contributed
monetarily to a paid information officer, picked up trash, and of course, maintained their road
and a parking area.
This is a timely project, as waiting too long will jeopardize the opportunity we have now for protection
of this land and the bordering ocean.
Sincerely, �,r,►�
0.41/4A0s411.-,"
Barbara Bell //
Comm. No. ill 8 7• /
Ref.To: P/FC.
Ref. Date DEC 3 2013