HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0254.004 2018-2020 P/Fe
COUNTY CLERK COMM. .N
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
Time (OOOFM BY fre5May 6, 2019
Date oi/o01IQ
To: County Council, Committee on Finance
From: Rose Schilt
Re: In Support of Resolution 155-19, AUTHORIZES THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO
ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF LAND OR CONSERVATION
EASEMENT(S) FOR ALL OR A PORTION OF THE PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED AS TAX
MAP KEY NOS. 8-2-013:014; 8-2-013:002; 8-2-013:003; 8-2-014:043; AND 8-2-015:059
SITUATED IN KEALAKEKUA, DISTRICT OF SOUTH KONA, ISLAND AND COUNTY OF
HAWAII, ALSO KNOWN AS THE AMY B. H. GREENWELL ETHNOBOTANICAL
GARDEN, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 42, HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983
(2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED
Aloha Chair David, Vice Chair Richards and Members of the Committee,
I am in support of the County joining with the Friends of the Amy B.H. Greenwell
Ethnobotanical Garden to support conservation easements on the Garden to perpetuate traditions
and customary native Hawaiian practices that sustain rare and native plant species.
The Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (the Garden) is a historic and cultural treasure
situated in the uplands of Kealakekua ahupua'a and overlooking the beautiful Bay. These lands
were donated to the B.P. Bishop Museum (the Museum) beginning in 1974, by Amy B.H.
Greenwell, with later additions by Sherwood Greenwell and Kealakekua Ranch. I am writing as a
founding member of the Friends, which we formed in 2016 when the Museum made the decision
to seek a new steward and sell the Garden. The Friends now have over 400 members.
AmyGreenwell was aprofessional botanist, and avid archaeolo ist who had a vision, grounded
g
in the `aina, that she dedicated to the larger,purpose of serving the community. Over the past
nearly 40 years, the 13.5 acre Garden has been developed into a world-class collection of over
250 species of Polynesian-introduced and Hawaiian endemic plants, and over 150 cultivars of
several Hawaiian crops, including kalo, `uala, `awa, ko, mai'a, and `ulu. These plants, and all the
people who care about them, bring life to the ancient Kona Field System, and help make
sustainable agriculture relevant today. The Garden includes not only residential, agricultural and
sacred archaeological sites, but also the significant Pa'ikapahu Heiau.
The Garden creates a true source for sustainable life in our islands—from the work of cultural
practitioners and horticultural training and research,to the production of local, nutritious food for
healthy lives and youth education for the future of our children, to local economics, recreation
and vibrant community farmer's markets and cultural festivals.
The critical role of the County of Hawai'i would be a public service to support the Garden as an
innovative hub for the entire island, the state, and beyond. I thank the county for its interest and
support. Mahalo nui loa for this opportunity to testify.
Rose Schilt, Board Member of the Friends
Cell. 808-366-6428
Comm. No. 'ID_F
Ref.To:
Ref. Date AY 0 6 2019