HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 020 2017/06/06 (2016-2018) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: June 6, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 294/Res. No. 214-17
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:08 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 214-17 reports as follows:
Resolution No. 214-17, transmitted by Finance Committee Chair Maile David, via
Communication No. 294 dated May 15, 2017, awards a Public Access, Open Space, and Natural
Resources Preservation(PONC) Maintenance Stewardship Grant to Na Mamo 0 Kawa.
This resolution approves a grant of$48,850 to Na Mamo 0 Kawa, a 501(c)(3)nonprofit
organization, for the purpose of protecting, preserving, and restoring the Kawa properties (Tax
Map Keys: 9-5-016:006 & 025; and 9-5-017:005 & 007), pursuant to Section 10-16(a) of the
Hawai`i County Charter.
Ms. David commented that in December this matter came before the Council and Kai McGuire
of Na Mamo 0 Kawa came forward, noting that Department of Parks and Recreation did not
forward a favorable recommendation because the names of the directors were not listed on their
stewardship grant application. At the December meeting, the names were provided to the
Council. Upon providing the missing information, it was the sense of this body that the only
issue was whether the Council could move forward with a resolution and award a stewardship
grant despite the recommendation of Parks and Recreation. Ms. David stated this was a unique
situation in that this particular group of young men and women have been involved with caring
for Kawa from the very beginning and have generational ties to Ka`u and Kawa. For the record,
a written timeline was provided by Na Mamo 0 Kawa illustrating with and describing their
efforts in cleaning, maintaining and caring for Kawa since 2012 and their collaborative efforts
with students, cultural experts, and other nonprofit organization.
Ms. David stated it is a dream from a junior kupuna perspective such as herself, when speaking
of having the younger generation carry on malama aina,Na Mamo 0 Kawa has been living it,
doing it, and have done it since the very beginning on their own time. Ms. David stated she felt,
given the years of work and dedication of Na Mamo 0 Kawa in caring for Kawa, it would be
appropriate that the Council support Na Mamo 0 Kawa and award a stewardship grant. Na
Mamo 0 Kawa has demonstrated, above and beyond, its commitment to malama `aina and aloha
for Kawa.
Council Member Jen Ruggles also expressed support and praised Na Mamo 0 Kawa for all they
have done and continue to do. She also confirmed security would be provided and security gate
FC Report No. 20
FC-20 Page 2 June 6, 2017
cams installed. Mr. Akau stated they would hire a certified security guard as well as a licensed
cultural and natural research management personnel and realizes that security is an issue.
However,he stated the group feels that if they can create a culture of caring through active work
and positive interaction when bringing people down to Kawa that shifts the energy to a place that
eventually makes negative activities a nominal occurrence.
Volunteer Larry Felder stated that he is a certified security officer and will be able to address any
issues and document everything that goes on down there. He wants to keep the place safe and
keep petroglyphs in the ground for the next generation.
Council Members thanked Na Mamo 0 Kawa for their testimony and the information provided
and expressed their support of what they have done and are doing in caring for Kawa.
Pursuant to Section 10-16(h) of the Hawai`i County Charter, the Public Access, Open Space, and
Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund may be used to provide stewardship grants
which shall be awarded by Council resolution.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 214-17,
and recommends its adoption.
dm
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
EOFF X
KANUHA X
LEE LOY XI III II .'
O HARA X � �.�`.
POINDEXTER x MAILE DA lD �
RICHARDS X FC REPORT NO.: 20
RUGGLES X ADOPTED: JUN 2 3 2017