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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0954.001 2016-2018 PIR NA MAMO O KAWA CtIVM. P.O.Box 45 PAHALA,I-II 96777 nmok.org June 13, 2018 =o -2 Honorable Maile Medeiros David, Chair and Presiding Officer ... ",--{ Hawai`i County Council, Committee on Finance V' o n County of Hawai`i 32w m r 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 w ,.o Subject: COMM. 954 Department of Parks and Recreation's Evaluation of Applications for 2017-2018 Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Stewardship Grants. Aloha Chair David and Members of the Committee, On behalf of the board of Na Mamo o Kawa(NMOK), I respectfully submit this testimony and enclosures to provide supplemental information necessary for the Committee's consideration of NMOK's 2017-2018 PONC Stewardship Grant Application. 2017-2018 PONC Stewardship Grant Application—Budget Request Reduction from $62,658 to$59,818 NMOK's budget for its 2017-2018 PONC Stewardship Grant application was submitted in August of 2017. Over the past ten months, NMOK has continued to establish partnerships with other community-based stewardship organizations on Hawai`i Island and across the pae`aina; these burgeoning relationships have opened up opportunities for NMOK to tap into equipment resources from our partners. NMOK has also been fortunate to receive equipment donations since the submission of our grain application. Finally, a review of resources,efforts, and progress thus far has resulted in the prioritization of project focus to building out NMOK's native revegetation, human impact mitigation, fire prevention, and access maintenance capacity. The ten months since our submission of our application has provided opportunity to reassess budget line item allocations for accuracy in light of past expenditures. Attached as Exhibit 1 to this testimony is NMOK's revised budget and amendment narrative for its 2017-2018 PONC Stewardship Grant application. The revised budget reduces the overall request for funds from$62,658 to $59,818. Comm. No _1 •1 Ref. To; P FC Ref. Date .1N 1 5 C�l� 2016-2017 PONC Stewardship Grant—Progress Highlights Attached as Exhibit 2 is NMOK's first quarter report submitted to the Director of Parks and Recreation in December of 2017 pursuant to NMOK's 2016-2017 PONC Stewardship Grant agreement. Highlights from the report include: • Approximately 1350 volunteer labor hours coordinated at project site. • Over 350 hours of contracted services towards clearing/maintaining the trails/recreational grounds between Highway 11 and the shoreline, clearing/maintaining freshwater spring system, and native plant revegetation. • Seed collection of Kawa-sourced milo, kou, `a`ali`i, alahee , and kukui. NMOK also gathered Ka`u-sourced seeds of wiliwili, 'Mei, and pua kala. • = Germination of over 200 `a`ali`i, 8 milo, and 7 kou seedlings; as well as propagation of over 80 naupaka from cuttings. Outplanting of over 30 naupaka. • 5 meetings with lineal descendants to the project site, community members, and cultural practitioners over the creation of a cultural/historic site management plan. NMOK's final report on its 201.6-2017 PONC Stewardship Grant is due for submission on July 30, 2018. Although the final report is still in drafting, below are a few summary highlights of progress made since the submission of NMOK's first quarter report: • Continued seed collection/germination and propagation of native flora collected from Kawa and the Ka`u area. • Establishment of a regularly scheduled community work day, which is held every second Saturday of the month. Attendance to community work days ranges between 20-50 individuals at a time. • Continued outreach and partnership with the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences (VSAS), which brings students weekly to Kawa to engage in stewardship efforts and place-based learning activities. VSAS also provides nursery space for native seedlings in preparation for outplanting at Kawa. NMOK has also coordinated with VSAS on creating signage for native plants and cultural sites, funded by a $1000 grant from the Kokua Foundation. • Continued outreach and partnership with Kua 0 Ka La-Miloli`i Hipu`u Academy, which coordinates with NMOK to bring students to Kawa to engage in place-based learning and stewardship. • Establishment of outreach efforts and partnership with Na`alehu Elementary School. On a monthly basis,NMOK teaches classes for the youth at the school revolving around native plants,the science relating to these plants, their cultural importance/use, and relationship to Kawa and Ka`u. Na`alehu Elementary School also provides nursery space and storage space for NMOK's revegetation efforts. • Creation and launch of NMOK.org, which serves as an invaluable outreach tool to provide information on the organization, its work, and updates/documentation of community work days and other coordinated activities. • Creation and adoption of NMOK's Health and Safety Plan,Emergency Response Plan, and Volunteer Service Agreement. • Retaining KUPU for an Americorps crew to provide one week of intensive stewardship work in June 2018. • Award of a$48,000 grant from the Hawai`i Tourism Authority's Aloha `Aina program to go towards NMOK's native revegetation project. • Award of a$5,000 grant from the Hawai`i People's Fund. • Inclusion within the Kua`aina Ulu `Auamo (KUA)E Ala Pu Network of community-based stewardship organizations. Also attached for the Committee's review are Exhibits 3 and 4, which are respectively NMOK's Current Board Listing and letters of support submitted on NMOK's behalf for its 2017-2018 PONC Stewardship Grant Application. Although incorporated since 2013,NMOK has only been truly funded since September of 2017. In the very short time since achieving funded status, NMOK members have tirelessly worked towards fulfilling the organization's mission to rehabilitate, curate and steward the natural and cultural resources of Kawa in order to honor the past, provide for the present and preserve for the future. Approval of NMOK's 2017-2018 PONC Stewardship Grant application will help provide the necessary resources to continue the successful community-based management of Kawa. Me ka ha`aha`a 0an K. P. Kanaka`ole Director and Treasurer, Na Mamo 0 Karver Enclosures: • Exhibit 1 —NMOK's 2017-2018 PONC Stewardship Grant Revised Budget • Exhibit 2—NMOK's Quarterly Report for 2016-2017 PONC Stewardship Grant • Exhibit 3 —NMOK Current Board Listing • Exhibit 4—Letters of Support UPDATED PROJECT BUDGET FOR NA MAMO 0 KAWA'S 2017-2018 PONC STEWARDSHIP GRANT APPLICATION PROJECT BUDGET ORIGINAL UPDATED APPLICANT UPDATED REQUEST REQUEST SHARE PROJECT BUDGET Equipment (Revised) $9,040.00 $9,000.00 $0.00 $9,000 Supplies $13,718.00 $13,718.00 $0.00 $13,718 Contracted Services $36,000.00 $36,000.00 $0.00 $36,000 Financial Services (Revised) $3,000.00 $600.00 $2,400.00 $3,000 Liability Insurance (Revised) $900.00 $500.00 $0.00 $500 Human Resources $0.00 $0.00 $85,000.00 $85,000.00 TOTAL EXPENSES $62,658.00 $59,818.00 $87,400.00 $147,218 PONC Stewardship Request Revision: From $62,658.00 to $59,818.00 (-$2840.00) BUDGET REVISION NARRATIVE The originally proposed budget was submitted in August of 2017. A review of our resources, efforts, and progress made over the past 10 months since submission of the proposed budget has given NMOK the opportunity to reassess budget line item allocations for accuracy in light of revised priorities, current resources, and past expenditures. Three line items for the overall project budget above have been amended: (1) Equipment, (2) Financial Services, and (3) Liability Insurance. The remaining budget items (Supplies, Contracted Services, and Human Resources) are unchanged. • Liability Insurance- Request reduced from $900 to $500 to reflect past insurance premiums for coverage during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. • Financial Services- Request reduced from $3,000 to $600. Financial services were originally planned to be outsourced/contracted; however,NMOK has gained volunteer capacity to handle financial oversight in-house. The $600 remaining on the request is to cover costs of bookkeeping software subscriptions and internet- based financial services. The amount is based on expenditures made during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. • Equipment- Request reduced from$9,040 to $9,000. Originally,the Equipment request was for a wood chipper($2199) and a dredge system ($6841). However, over the past 10 months,NMOK has received a donated chipper and has built partnerships with another stewardship organization on-island that has offered use of their dredging system, as needed. NMOK is, therefore,proposing to reallocate its Equipment request for the following: Exhibit 1 o $6000 for 20' shipping container to use on project site for storage of equipment and supplies [$5800 quoted price for container and transport from Big Island Container Sales & Rentals; $200 for gravel to ensure container is set down levelly]. NMOK is currently seeking a donation of a shipping container; the budget item is priced for purchase if a donated container cannot be procured. If NMOK receives a donated container, the budget allocation will be used for site preparation, transport, and securing of the container; unused funds will be remitted to the County. NMOK is currently working with the County Property Management Division regarding the placement of the container on the project site. o $3000 for material to construct a 20'x40' two-sided shade tent plant nursery with 20% shade cloth [$600 dollars for two 18'x20' shade tarps, quoted by Rudy Shade Cloth &Tarps; $1000 for two 10'x20' pipe tent setups, quoted by Island Wide Canopy; $300 for cement block weights for tent pipes, priced through Home Depot; $1100 for tie-downs, nursery benches and irrigation setup]. Due to security concerns of placing an shade tent plant nursery at the project site's remote locale, NMOK is currently working with its school partners as well as private donors for donated space upon which to set down the nursery. NMOK will be able to finalize a use agreement for the nursery site upon securing project funding. o Both budget request amendments comply with the limitations of the PONC Maintenance Fund's use pursuant to Section 10-16(g) of the Hawai`i County Charter (HCC). Both requests are directly related to fund use purposes enumerated in HCC Section 10-16(g), subparts (1) through (5) — reparation,preservation, conservation, restoration, and wildfire/fire prevention efforts at the project site. Additionally, neither the container nor the shade tent are buildings/facilities/infrastructure (which are prohibited uses of the Maintenance Fund monies); both the container and shade tent are temporary structures that can be moved and/or dismantled on short notice. Exhibit 1 NA MAMO O KAWA Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Stewardship Grant,Dated September 5,2017 Quarterly Report Reporting Period: 9/5/2017—12/5/2017 7 x Nky^ Tir' F' �.! t�. y Yea ,Atiutraffl ' ti � 1e 7r+" xt� / / ,,, raj " . u a < - ` ,''-: m . _ +x 7 7 ,r ". a ig 1'164a.,t! �"' t"} syr .�' '� .a ',144 b b t h h rt�,..t F'� '-S"' s ff: y, t y' tr �C; �. .. '^�'w 'w "". ";e # r'i,`.�C*.. .a ,. ...-K.s �,, Submitted To: Hawaii County,Director of Parks and Recreation On December 15, 2017 Exhibit 2 I. PROJECT STATUS REPORT This is the first quarterly report of Na Mamo o Kawa ("NMOK") on its work funded by the County of Hawai`i ("County") Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Stewardship Grant, Dated September 5, 2017 ("PONC Grant"). The reporting period is from September 5, 2017 through December 5, 2017. Original project plans submitted to the County of Hawai`i proposed a start date of January 1, 2017; however, the PONC Grant agreement between NMOK and the County was executed on September 5, 2017. NMOK received its initial payment in PONC Grant funds in the end of September 2017. Drawing from its own resources,NMOK began work on the project prior to execution of the grant agreement. Progress on the project was slowed by the lack of grant funds during the first nine months of the originally proposed project period. For example,purchases of tools and equipment necessary for the implementation of NMOK's access maintenance and revegetation plans were deferred until after grant funds were received. The lack of grant funds during the initial months of NMOK's proposed project period, however, provided an opportunity for the organization to get creative in broadening its volunteer and resources network. One of the highlights during the reporting period is the establishment of relationships between NMOK and several schools/youth programs. The schools and programs involved so far are the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences (VSAS), Kua 0 Ka La Charter School from Miloli`i, and Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy. With these schools/youth groups, NMOK has been able to incorporate a place-based curriculum and hands-on learning into the scope of its work. NMOK has also been able to bring in community professionals from varied backgrounds to serve as guest speakers for the school groups/youth programs. Guest speakers so far have been representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, County of Hawaii, Retchinan Consulting, The Nature Conservancy, the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, Three Mountain Alliance, Hawaii Island Turtle Recovery Project, Kamehameha Schools, Ka`u High School, and the Edith Kanaka`ole Foundation. Exhibit 2 NMOK has also coordinated volunteer days with the Queen Lili`uokalani Trust and for the Ka`u community. So far,NMOK has coordinated 15 community work days, bringing in an average of 30 volunteers at a time, who provide approximately 3 hours of labor. This equates to over 1800 hours of labor provided by volunteers. The contributions of our volunteers have been invaluable to the acceleration of progress towards achieving NMOK's objectives in its ongoing cultural and environmental stewardship of Kawa. During the project period, a total of 342 hours in contracted services went towards native revegetation, security, access/grounds maintenance, and spring preservation/maintenance. Project Objective 1 -Initiation and Implementation of Native Revegetation Plan: NMOK has used a combination of volunteer work and contracted services towards the initiation and implementation of its native revegetation plan Work done during the project period has included removal of invasive flora long the access trails/roads into Kawa, and along the shoreline, Eight acres of the following invasive plant species were removed along the 0.13 miles of trail, a half mile of road, and along the shoreline: ekoa(lead koa,Leucaena leucocephala), Lantana (Lantana camara), Christmasberry (Schinus terebenthifolius), and guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus). Reforestation efforts during the project period include the collection of native seeds from the project and neighboring areas for germination. NMOK with students from VSAS have collected 80 milo (pacific rosewood, Thespesia populnea), 65 kou (Cordia subcordata), 500 `a`ali`i (Hawaiian hopseed bush, Dodonaea viscosa), 70 alahe`e (Pysdrax ordorata), and 30 lcukui nut (candle nut tree,Aleurites rnoluccana) seeds from the project area. In the Punalu`u area, 70 wiliwili (Hawaiian coral tree,Erythrina sandwicensis) seeds were collected. In the Kama`oa area, 20 ulei (Hawaiian hawthorn, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia), 50 pua kala (Hawaiian prickly poppy, Argeinone glauca), and 30 wiliwili seeds were collected. NMOK with students from VSAS germinated 200 `a`ali`i, 8 milo, and 7 kou and propagated 80 naupaka(Scaevola taccada) from cuttings. Additional work in this project objective has been the coordination of regular cleanups across half a mile of coastline to prevent the buildup of marine litter. Below are before and after photos Exhibit 2 of a site with alahe`e (native plant) and noni (culturally significant canoe plant) cleared of invasive koa haole and Christmas berry: 74._,....atiik,*41 4%4' 'Attila 0.4064..-* : �� -r� , AN 1%Mit4A*641':0"-4".§itPlitNittS1 ;:i" :Z*---1114-0 -'1-DMilbf.#104;414;497'.':47417;t:IPW-4;v- l'4,11:47.", tih. *i'4--": 4*Ttrfi,.4:,1* *; 8,.(19t: SIV '--ttcroilit&N4 -qt......,,,.ftv..,,,,,N,I4,;... 4.... r 4 „„.,..„,„,„,-,3.,,.,,,,,,4,,,,...,„„,„.:,:,_,,, ,i; €. 1., 4 n " "* �� k p � •&� @ �' ''''':::i.kg� �. Y .+ * '�+° wC ems,.. m" f _4., °4 -„ ; ,„, : ° ' 3"' Photograph 1. An area at the entrance before clearing the invasive ekoa trees in the foreground, and an alahe`e tree growing in the background, t 9§,tiv M, a.4 r x a r s wx ra r ,7:717e7- -ift--,',1/4,1' Vvfittlia,k1.7'"44.,,,tC.I.7. ','1',,,7 on'117 ?t, 4: , s. ' fid:# p 141 g #,'. 4,4 i:121,,, 4a° +�ti 4y„„� k m4t/41. d - f d(" `f 4 ,� p d?R. dpi"��+�+f ,��' m,�3"�°���7�,�M� �B" �'fa�� � r �'� ��� x 5� eta'`*-, 9�"tiwd ? e. PoA"d' o- �..Y,`Y� 's} ''.26 , „ �. e4 w..'fi Y'�`;8�:?fw. + X V", > �.y,.a y r..o-,;'� Photograph 2. The site is cleared of invasive ekoa trees with the alahe`e now plainly visible. Project Objective 2 - Creation and Initiation of Cultural Site Monitoring Plan: During the reporting period,NMOK has coordinated meetings with various participants on a bimonthly basis to plan and create a cultural site monitoring and management plan. So far,NMOK has Exhibit 2 coordinated five such meetings. Meeting participants include lineal descendants to the area, community members, andcultural practitioners. Organizations represented at these meetings include the Edith Kanaka`ole Foundation and Kamehameha Schools. Cultural practitioners include master carvers, kumu hula, and heiau practitioners. Discussions at these meetings have included the installation/dedication of ki`i at Heiau Keeku,plain table mapping of the heiau, and recommendations for continued site monitoring and maintenance. Project Objective 3 -Maintain Safety/Security of Property and Access: NMOK has used contracted services to provide security of the property and used a combination of volunteer work and contracted services towards access maintenance. Provision of security service included regular monitoring during the weekdays to ensure that no illegal or detrimental human activity is taking place on-site. Some of the unwanted activities documented during the project period include people walking into the heiau, posting of inappropriate signage, disorderly conduct, and littering. Access maintenance includes regularly trimming and clearing the half mile of roads/trails from the highway to the shoreline. Project Objective 4 - Spring Preservation and Site Maintenance: NMOK has used a combination of volunteer work and contracted services towards spring preservation and site maintenance. Work done so far has included soil/sand erosion control by shoring up retaining walls around the spring site, outplanting naupaka along the retaining walls, and transplanting akulikuli (Sesuvium portulacastrum). On November 9t", 2017 NMOK with the help students from VSAS outplanted 32 naupaka of which 8 survived when checked on December 5, 2017. To mitigate for storm/tidal damage mitigation, sand has been shoveled from the springs. Other work include general grounds maintenance around the site of springs such as weed whacking and the removal of trash. Below is a picture of one of NMOK's volunteer days at the spring: Exhibit 2 �' �� m`�' STM- 9���s�d �" �A�,.ti�< tea` ��' �� 4 41 g de ,d ,,,,,ei ' 4.,i4"444"it „,",,N4,444-, ,gyp �, ' ,44,41444444.41"1440 If 4 -n c ter ` §; a'4 z pa a `^' ,%, o ".4, ^r`. 41* � 8 gg �^^pp``t' �i at *,-. max r' , � ;3 Hi ” ' ,-: eit'1 '' „� " e!it' %.'''' i ;!. g 30 d year s� � -i°-7,,,,',4' Photograph 3. V. school students shoring stones around the Kawa springs to prevent sand/soil erosion. II. FUTURE PROJECT PLANS NMOK will continue its progress on its PONC Grant project objectives provided in the section above. Due to its heavy reliance on volunteer participation to achieve its objectives,NMOK will continue to grow its volunteer network made up of individuals, organizations, and school groups. NMOK is actively working towards building long-term relationships with all Ka`u schools to provide an opportunity for the district's keiki to engage in place-based and hands-on education, take part in the rehabilitation of the wahi Pana, and become inspired to fake initiative in bettering their community. NMOK will continue to host guest speakers for participating school groups; in addition to the educational enrichment gained from the speakers' shared mana`o, the students are able to broaden their own career horizons by being exposed to a variety of professionals from various fields of education, cultural preservation, and science. In July 2017, the County approved a finalized Kawa Resources Management Plan ("Management Plan") to provide management guidance for the management of the Kawa lands. The finalization of the Management Plan provides an excellent opportunity for NMOK to evaluate its own project plans to ensure alignment with the goals and objectives of the Exhibit 2 Management Plan. NMOK will use the Management Plan as one of its guiding documents for its work at Kawa. The Management Plan will help structure NMOK's current and future projects. NMOK believes that through the hard work of its members and volunteer network, coupled with its future plans to leverage non-County funding resources, the goals and objectives of the Management Plan can be achieved in an effective and efficient manner. III. FINANCIAL REPORT The total award for this PONC Grant is $48,850. Project plans submitted to the County proposed a start date of January 1, 2017; however, the PONC Grant agreement between NMOK and the County was executed on September 5, 2017. NMOK received its initial payment of$24,425 from the County on September 29, 2017. During the current reporting period,NMOK did not request any subsequent progress payments. Drawing from its own resources,NMOK began work on the project prior to execution of the grant agreement. Progress on the project was slowed by the lack of grant funds during the first nine months of the originally proposed project period. Due to the funding delay,NMOK verbally requested and received preliminary approval for a no-cost extension of the PONC Grant. NMOK submitted a written request on December 8, 2017 to the County for a no-cost extension of six months. During the current reporting period,NMOK expended a total of$9,064.40 of its PONC Grant funds, which is approximately 18.6% of the total grant award. $6,156 of NMOK's invoiced expenditures for this period (or 68% of expenditures)went towards payment on its services contract for security, maintenance, invasive plant removal, and freshwater spring monitoring/site maintenance. Work began on NMOK's services contract on May 1, 2017; the expenditures made during this reporting period on the services contract accounts for services provided from May 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017. Because NMOK is caught up on its services contract's back payments, it is expected that NMOK's payments on its current services contract to average $1,440 per month (or$4,320 per quarter) for the remainder of the grant. The remainder of expenditures went to equipment, supplies, and liability insurance coverage, totaling $2,908.40. Equipment and supplies purchased by NMOK was for use by NMOK Exhibit 2 members, volunteers, and contractors. No expenditures were made during this reporting period for financial services. Below is a comprehensive table of NMOK's budget and expenditures on the PONC Grant in its first quarter(9/5/2017-12/5/2017). The table is broken out by budget class (i.e. "Equipment," "Supplies," etc.) and budget item; the table also includes amounts remaining on NMOK's PONC Grant budget. PONC GRANT- First Quarter(9/5/2017 -12/5/2017) Budget and Expenditures 7 Totals By Budget Class Equipment- - Budgeted o Expended Remaining, ----------'- _ _ . Truck $3,000.00 $0.00 $3,000.00 ' Trailer $1,200.00 $0.00 $1,200.00 Weed-Eaters $1,500.00 $396.89 $1,103.11 Chainsaws $1,000.00 $492.55 $507.45 Pole Saw $750.00 $0.00 $750.00 Security Cam. $700.00 $0.00 $700.00 Doc. Equip. $300.00 $0.00 $300.00 Water Flow Probe $950.00 $0.00 $950.00 Equipment Budget Budget Expended Remaining $9,400.00 $889.44 I $8,510.56 Supplies., Budgeted _ Expended° , ` ,q Remaining Personal Protection $1,500.00 $206.06 $1,293.94 Hand Tools $1,500.00 $591.96 $908.04 Temporary Shelter/Tarp $500.00 $0.00 $500.00 Chains/Rope $200.00 $62.28 $137.72 Trash Cans $150.00 $109.28 $40.72 Tables $1,000.00 $361.33 $638.67 Benches/Chairs $800.00 $0.00 $800.00 Vehicle Fuel $2,000.00 $120.00 $1,880.00 Power Equipment Fuel/Supplies $1,000.00 $139.73 $860.27 Native Plants $500.00 $0.00 $500.00 Soil, Soil Amendments, Pots $1,000.00 $0.00 $1,000.00 Water Hoses $150.00 $19.42 $130.58 Soil Testing Kit $50.00 $0.00 $50.00 Plastic Drum-55 Gallon $300.00 $0.00 $300.00 Incidental Expenses $1,800.00 $99.90 $1,700.10 Supplies Budget Budget Expended Remaining $12,450.00 $1,709.96 I $10,740.04 .Contracted Services Budgeted . ° Expended': --m%., Remaining Exhibit 2 Maintenance/Security $22,500.00 I $6,156.00 I $16,344.00 Contracted Services Budget Budget Expended Remaining $22,500.00 $6,156.00 $16,344.00 Liability"Insurance` m Budgeted . " Expended w, Remaining. Insurance Coverage $1,500.00 $309.00 $1,191.00 Insurance Budget Budget Expended Remaining $1,500.00 $309.00 $1,191.00 Financial Services, Budgeted c Expended Remaining, Accounting Services $3,000.00 $0.00 $3,000.00 Financial Services Budget Budget Expended Remaining $3,000.00 $0.00 $3,000.00 Total Budgetedn= ° Total Expended Total Remaining $48,850.00 $9,064.40 $39,785.60 • Exhibit 2 NA MAMO O KAWA Current Board Listing Pueo K. McGuire- Chairman and Founder- Born and raised in Ka'u; Pueo has been accessing Kawa his entire life. Pueo received a bachelor's in Political Science from UH Hilo; he will be entering his final year as a law student at Willamette University College of Law. Pueo's past professional experience has taken him to the Office of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka,the U.S. Forest Service, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. As a member of NMOK, Pueo cherishes the opportunity to give back to the wahi pana of Kawa. For Pueo, Kawa has impacted his life and world-view in profound, invaluable ways and hopes to ensure that our keiki also share in their own positive experience from the place. James J. Akau-Executive Director-Born and raised in Ka'u; James has been accessing Kawa his entire life. James' professional background is in conservation/environmental science. His professional experience has brought him to work with the Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Forest Service, KUPU, Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School, and the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. James received a bachelor's in Biology from Chapman University and a MS in Tropical Conservation Biology from UH Hilo. For James, Kawa provides an opportunity to create a bio-cultural pu'uhonua where the community can connect with the land, engage in cultural practice, create value for themselves and others, and spark social revolution. L. Kaipoleimanu Ka'awaloa -Director-Kaipo grew up on Hawaiian Homestead in Nanakuli, O'ahu; she is a lineal descendant of Kalapana on Hawai'i Island where 'ohana Ka'awaloa has long traced its roots. Kaipo has been accessing Kawa for almost 15 years. Kaipo is fluent in Hawaiian language, having attended Punana Leo 'o Honolulu and Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'o Anuenue. Kaipo received her JD and Certificate in Native Hawaiian Law from the UH Manoa's William S. Richardson School of Law. She also has a bachelor's in Business Administration and an MBA from Hawaii Pacific University. In addition to serving as a director for NMOK, Kaipo is also a director for the Ho`okako`o Corporation and is on the Financial Review Committee for the Aloha United Way. Exhibit 3 Kaipo's professional experience includes her being a practicing attorney and serving as an internal auditor for the Queen's Health Systems; she is currently a civil rights compliance officer for the State of Hawai`i Department of Education. For Kaipo,NMOK allows her to continue 'ohana Ka'awaloa's tradition of serving as stewards for Southeast Hawai'i Island. Ryan K. P. Kanaka'ole—Director-Born in Honolulu and raised in Ka'u, Ryan's family has lived in Wai`ohinu for over a century. Ryan has accessed Kawa his entire life. Ryan received a bachelor's in Political Science from UH Hilo and received a JD and Certificate in Native Hawaiian Law from UH Manoa's William S. Richardson School of Law. Ryan's professional background is in the field of government administration and policy, land use law, environmental law,water rights,Native Hawaiian law, and litigation. For almost a decade,Ryan has provided advice, counsel, and representation for state and local government through his tenures with the Hawai`i County Office of the Corporation Counsel and the State of Hawai`i Office of the Auditor; Ryan is currently a deputy attorney general serving the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. For Ryan,NMOK allows him to serve his community and give back to,a place that has helped sustain his family for generations. Koa Morris -Director- Koa is a lifelong resident of Ka'u. Koa is an Ocean View-based homebuilder that provides contracting services across the Ka'u Disrict. He has accessed Kawa his entire life and is one of the original founding members of NMOK. NMOK allows Koa to give back to a place that has played a central role in his life. Exhibit 3 The Volcano School of Arts Et Sciences A Hawaiian-Focused Public Charter School P.O. Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785-0845 Phone: 808-985-9800 Fax: 808-985-9898 www.volcanoschool.net August 28, 2017 Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) County of Hawai'I Department of Parks and Recreation Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6 Hilo, HI 967200 RE: Support for PONC Stewardship Grant Application to Na Mamo o Kawa, Ka'u, HI Dear PONC Commission: I am writing to express my strong support Na Mamo o Kawa's PONC Stewardship Grant request. As Principal of The Volcano School of Arts a Sciences working in collaboration with Na Mamo o Kawa, I can attest to the quality, effectiveness, and value of their work. This school-year, our Middle School team is working under the guidance of Na Mamo o Kawa to engage our middle school students in education and restoration efforts at Kawa. Through their weekly excursions to Kawa, students are learning and applying conservation strategies in the context of the rich history and culture of the area as well as acting as ecological stewards caring for and restoring this important and unique place. Place-based education, service learning, and familiar learning environments are critical components of the VSAS vision. About one-third of our students come from Ka`u, so Kawa already holds special meaning for many of our students. For these young people, being a part of restoring the environment at Kawa is already deepening their relationship to place and sense of responsibility for Kawa. After three short weeks, we are already seeing evidence of the profound potential of this long-term project for nurturing the next generation of ecological stewards and for supporting the future sustainment of conservation at Kawa and beyond. Engaging our students in this work is possible only with the support and guidance of Na Mamo o Kawa, and without them, we would have to abandon the project. We urge you to award Na Mamo o Kawa's request,so they can continue their important work including engaging young people such as our students to ensure that Kawa and other important natural and cultural resources continue to be restored, preserved, and protected for generations to come. If I can provide you with any additional information to support your decision to grant Na Mamo o Kawa's request,please do not hesitate to ask. I can be reached at director@volcanoschool.net or 808-345-9770. Sincerely, Kalima Cayir Principal Learning through Volcano's unique natural and cultural resources to become creative global citizens. Exhibit 4 The Nature Con,wrvancy, Hawaii Program Tel (808) 537-4508 - TheNatur ' e 923 Nu'uanu Avenue Fax (808) 545-2019 Conservancy 44,4-riff Honolulu,III96817 Hawai`i September 28,2017 County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6 Hilo, 96720 PONC Stewardship Grant Request for N Mamo 0 Kawa Aloha Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission, I am writing in support of Na Mamo 0 Kawa and their current environmental restoration efforts in the estuarine.coastal. and dry forest habitats at Kawa. The members of this organization have a genuine desire to improve the condition of natural resources at Kawa as evidenced by their current and previous efforts aimed at restoring ecological functions which are impaired by impacts of invasive species and human use.Furthermore, their collective place-based knowledge and experiences gained from decades of recreating and subsisting on resources of Kawa provides them with a strong foundation to plan and execute restoration work in a manner that will avoid detrimental environment impact. The organization has engendered support from the broader community of Ka`il, and continues to develop partnerships with interested stakeholders to coordinate restoration efforts. These collective efforts ‘vill enhance native species biodiversity, allowing Kawa to return to a state of 'aim momona(abundant lands and seas). I firmly support the efforts of NaMamo 0 Kawa to receive Public Access, Open space, and Natural Resource Preservation Commission (PONC)funding from the County of Hawaii to continue their stewardship practices at Kawa. Me ka ha'aha'a. Nakoa Goo Assistant Marine Coordinator nakoa.goo@tnc.org 808-217-7694 • Exhibit 4 T!q!uX2 313 aa31j4O anlnoax3 uewsso!N aluo,oyelem 'AlweDu!S •uo!leaap!suoo pue am;anoA aoj noA>lueyl o; a�!I pin.om! •Rao.uo!lepunojaloeleue!y !pa@sled ;e ao B.IZO-9£6-808 le BUJ Peluoo()I-am!aaJ asea!d uopogpeio Aue paau Jo suo"ilsa'nb Aue aneq.noA pinogs •;aoddns ano aney Aay; pue eMe)I}o spaemals #ualjaoxa aq 111M ennui 0 .o,welj eN le1,11.1uap!4.uoj we j 'ells ay;le 2u!weJi2oad leuo!aeonpa leanaino us!!gelsa'se I!ann:se eon s!yl jo uonaaroad ay2 Nemo;Aem e Il!nn au!pun4 3NOd pa;sanbaa ayl •emeN jo uonoaloa,d pue uo!.emasaad ay;aoj uo!ssed uanoad aneq pnneN 0 owelN eN •n,eN eMem e spuei piennals of annul 0 o;we!N eN wo.J;son bea 10e.12 dryspaemals ONOd aye aoj laoddnsAw ao!on o1.A;!unwwoo n,em aye jo aagwaw anRoe ue se Ilam se 3713 Jo aaDRIO an!znaax3 alp se 5uplam we 1 'uo!ss!wua00 ONOd eyold 3 13 Ja01110 an!lnoax3 uewsso j a!gp,oye1e>1 :woa3 OZL96!H `ol!H #S lundny SZ LT/OE/8 uo!ss!ww00 JNOd M,unoj !,!emeH :01 .srn mss;g OxiM'ex"o F'l +68LV-t96(80.8):XeJ/ZVZS-L 96(808):Pi•0ZL96 IH "�I!H +anuany elo eue!ue!e�!005! aM1,7111Prifil 1,- Fikillirarkfit 'RP- PP)v 141 :40-41"1164.,:r.1,17N August 25, 2017 To: Hawaii County Public Access,Open Space,and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) Subject: Support of PONC stewardship grant request from Na Mamo 0 Kawa to steward lands at Kawa,Ka'u Aloha kaua, I submit this letter in strong support of Na Mamo 0 Kawa's grant request to steward lands in Kawa, Ka'u.In my volunteer capacity, I have witnessed the high level of professional,academic,and cultural capacity that Na Mamo 0 Kawa has garnered for the specific purpose of protecting this place so beloved by staff and their shared community,and it is my professional and personal assessment that any grant funds awarded to Na Mamo 0 Kawa will have an intergenerational, positive effect on the people and lands of Kawa,Kali,and Hawai'i County at large. In my position as Technical Assistance Manager for the U.S.Administration for Native Americans' Pacific Region TTA Center,I work with hundreds of Native Pacific Islander-serving nonprofits and small governments to design and execute Federal grant-funded community-based projects The strategic vision articulated b grounded in culturally appropriate values. g y Na Mamo 0 Kawa is one of the strongest I've ever witnessed. Grounded in community inclusiveness,cultural awareness, compliance with appropriate rules and regulations,fiscal responsibility,and a highly-qualified staff of dedicated servant-leaders,Na Mamo 0 Kawa's community-based project is a beacon of community fortitudeand success to all who value our island way of life.In their project plan,Na Mamo 0 Kawa has included not only all of the objective-based workplan elements I teach to the executors of$2 million grants but also a wealth of regionally-specific approaches only accessible to those with honest,living relationships with the communities they serve. I wholeheartedly endorse Na Mamo o Kawa's bid to steward the lands of Kawa,Ka'u. Me ka ha'aha'a, Matthew K.Ing Technical Assistance Manager Pacific Region Training and Technical Assistance Center A Resource of the U.S.Administration for Native Americans Operated by Ka'anani'au LLC matt@kaananiau.com 808-463-0868 Exhibit • Tamara Wong-Morrison Middle-school Language Arts Teacher Volcano School of Arts&Sciences, PCS Volcano, Hawaii 96785 August 25, 2017 Hawaii County Public Access, Open Spaces, vti i and Natural Resources Preservation on Comm ttee Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Aloha kakou, My middle-school students are very fortunate this year to be able to access and help restore the natural environment at Kawa through the guidance of Na Mamo o Kawa. Every Wednesday, my students in grades 6, 7, and 8 learn how to use conservation strategies,find out about the rich history and culture of Kawa, and assist in replanting and restoring the wildlife habitat there. , , Many of my students are from Ka'u;this place-based project engages their attention and focus. They are proud to learn more about their homeland and why it is precious and worth their preservation efforts. We are incorporating the National Standards for Social Studies while we work at Kawa: they are comparing similarities and differences in the ways groups, societies, and cultures meet human needs and concerns; and they are examining, interpreting, and analyzing physical and cultural patterns and their interactions, such as land use, settlement patterns, cultural transmission of customs and ideas, and ecosystem changes. My students are also learning how to cultivate responsibility for nature and the environment;one of the big goals that our charter school has. Ail this would not be possible without the input and assistance from James Akau and Uncle Kaui Felder from Na Mamo 0 Kawa. Your continued.support of their efforts will enable our students and their families to ho'omau,continue the proud and humble lifestyle of the people of Ka'u. Mahalo nul boa, Tamara Wong-Morrison cc: Kalima Cayir, Principal Volcano School of Arts &Sciences, PCS Exhibit 4 August 30, 2017 To: Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commision(PONC) Regarding: Support for PONC Stewardship Grant Application to Na Mamo 0 Kawa, Kau,Hawaii I am writing this letter to formally recommend Na Mama 0 Kawa to the County of Hawaii Finance Department Public Access, Open Spaces, and Natural Resource Preservation Commission fund ("PONC" grant) for the purpose of protecting, preserving and restoring the county's Kawa properties. I believe that their dedication, passion, and unique understanding of Kau will further the knowledge required to engage future generations in conservation efforts. As a Teacher at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences I had the privilege of joining Na Mamo 0 Kawa on recent learning excursions with our students. Members of the non- profit brought in, and will continue to guide our middle school team to Kawa, to teach the importance of natural resource restoration. By teaching through hands-on experience, our students gain a better understanding of the importance of floral and fauna interdependence and the need to preserve cultural practices. By securing this funding, Na Mamo 0 Kawa can broaden their already extensive professional network to ensure that this powerful natural resource will continue to receive the attention and maintenance that will be required;to perpetuate all things mea Hawaii in Kau, This will undoubtedly include the ability to rehabilitate, curate, and steward the cultural and natural resources of Kawa to honor the past, provide for the present, and preserve for the future of our students' generation. Sincerely, r Jim Rig, ill Special Education Teacher Special Education Department Head Volcano School of Arts and Sciences • • Exhibit 4 Aloha, This letter is a testimony to the commission in regards to the support of the non-profit organization Na Mamo o Kawa. My memories of Kawa begin as a young 12 year old boy. My Mom, Dad, and brother spent a weekend camping for the annual"Lokahi 0 Kawa"surf contest.A three-day weekend spent with friends and family, I remember it being filled with education, laughter and fun. Kupuna would talk about the sacredness of the place at night and we would chant, surf, and fish all-day long. Memories and friendships of this time still resonates through my self identity today, nearlyl6 years later.This experience sparked the beginning of the relationships I have made with many of the members of Na Mamo o Kawa. Since then and even earlier for many of them,we have learned the value of this place and its vast resources it provides for us. Much time has passed since those childhood memories and those children present themselves to you today as grown leaders of our community. They are educated, resourceful, and open-minded individuals who are coming together for a real purpose that I believe is the start of providing new solutions for many of the social/economic challenges we face in our modern world.Their work proves their commitment not only through the cultural restoration of Kawa, but also through outreach education events with Kamehameha Schools, Youth Challenge Academy, Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps, University of Hawaii STEM internship, and the Ka'u community. I believe that the efforts of Na Mamo of Kawa is an example that will extend beyond the district of Ka'u, throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and even around the world. It's about communities taking responsibility of their resources and making sure that they remain available for the future generations. They are from the community and for the community. Please take these sincere words into consideration today, I know that the decisions you make will be for the better of the community as a whole. Thank you for your consideration on this issue. Bradley Keoki Young Rescue Watercraft Operator Hawaii Fire Department Cell:808-443-6628 Email:bryounf hawaii.edu • Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii Field Data Technician Assistant Exhibit 4 Aloha commission, I am writing this letter from my viewpoint as a cultural practitioner of the area, that depends on the area to provide me and my family with healthy Hawaiian life and Hawaiian lifestyle. If this area thrives then myself as a Hawaiian thrives. This area has been my traditional classroom that taught me how to surf, hunt, fish, chant, collect, and pray. I write this letter in support of Na Mamo o Kawa to continue stewarding Kawa and working to improve/maintain the quality of resources found in the area. I consider Kawa a place of high significant cultural and natural value, without the presence of the host culture it would be hard for the natural and cultural resources found in this area to thrive. For the people of Na Mamo o Kawa to be Hawaiians from this area and understand the natural and cultural processes that occur here, I believe it would be beneficial to continue allowing Na Mamo o Kawa to continue working in synergy with relationship to the cultural and natural environmental aspects of this area. Please allow these children of Kawa, who grew up using, managing, policing, and monitoring the resources in their traditional ways, that went away to become educated in the sciences and policies of the government, return to their one hanau with the kuleana to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture,and natural resources found within this sacred place. Mahalo, George Akau Exhibit 4 August 28, 2017 To: Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Subject: Support for Na Mamo 0 Kawa to steward lands at Kawa, Ka`u. Dear PONC Commission, I am a research social scientist with the US Forest Service. I am writing to convey strong support for the PONC stewardship grant request from Na Mamo 0 Kawa to steward lands at Kawa, Ka`u. Over one year ago, I came to know and work with James Akau, founding member of Na Mamo 0 Kawa, through a Professional Training Program for Resource Managers that we both belong to called Halau O'hi'a. James has impressed me as a strong, vibrant leader with his knowledge of Hawaii's natural-cultural resources, dedication to caring for them, and for his community. He also has an advanced degree in resource management further qualifying him to lead this work. The Halau O'hi'a training experience has certainly enriched James' own experiences in resource stewardship and also reinforced his place in a strong network of Malama `Aina professionals that will support him and his endeavors, myself included. Sincerely, Heather McMillen 3190 Maile Way Honolulu,HI 96822 Exhibit 4