HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0035.31 - Testimony - CA-18 - PONC Maintenance fundApril 25, 2019
TO: Hawaii County Charter Commission
From: Deborah Ward, Representing Sierra Club Hawaii Island Group
Aloha, Volunteer Commissioners, thank you for your time!
The members of Sierra Club have a special interest in the longevity and improvement of the
PONC 2% land fund and the maintenance of the lands we purchase on behalf of the citizens of
this county. In addition to offering hikes and service projects to assit in the awareness and
enjoyment of these special places, we help to identify issues and potential solutions to the
impacts of climate change, shoreline retreat, cultural practice, access makai and mauka without
gates and barriers.
We support our local communities in the maintenance of the acquired lands, and we are aware
of the difficulties that non -profits are facing as they try to navigate the PONC maintenance fund
process. We want to make the fund useable and more efficient, available in a timely manner
with the support, not the impedance of the County.
The original intent of this legislation as written by Council member Brenda Ford and Debbie
Hecht, supported by Sierra Club, was to assist the stewardship non -profits to care for the
land. Only 9% of all the monies deposited in the Maintenance Fund has been granted to the
stewardship non -profits since 2013.
We are trying to strengthen the 2% Land Fund Program. What we have learned from research
and feedback from the non -profits who have applied for grant funding is that the volunteer
workforce can burn out when the plans are continually adjusted due to delayed decisions and
late allocation for needed service and equipment.
1. All of the stewardship groups requested that they be able to pay people to help care for
the land.
2. Every 2% Land Fund property needs the help of people who are committed to care for
the land. Volunteers are very important, but they burn out and leave because of their
responsibilities to work or family.
3. As these programs grow, volunteer coordinators could be paid to maximize the land
stewardship programs and create school education programs to educate keiki about the
land, its history and culture.
4. The ability to pay dedicated staff would help create jobs in rural, economically depressed
areas of the island & minimize volunteer burnout. Right now the non -profits have to hire
outside contractors to do some of the work.
OUR MAJOR PROPOSED ADDITION IS IN RED:
5. (1No officer, board member, or employee of the 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization or the
organization that operates under the umbrella of a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization shall
receive a salary or payment for labor, or receive any reimbursement for the stewardship
work on the prject, ur.. �hE �r:paid frrspecific duties thatare approved as _part of
ill iiir Iaisiine „pllan. The 501(c)3 nonprofit shall sign an agreement so stating these
conditions and submit it with the application.
We respectfully ask that you support this change, and that the Finance Department be tasked
with the responsibility of managing the grant requests and appropriations. Thank you!
Comm. No. 35.31