HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-30 County Announces Purchase of Significant Preservation Lands in Kona -- press release v2
Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
July 30, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
County Announces Purchase of Significant Preservation Lands in Kona
The County of Hawai‘i announced on Thursday its recent Public Access, Open Space,
and Natural Resource Preservation (PONC) funds purchase. After years on the PONC
wish list, the Puapua‘a properties located makai of Ali‘i Drive will now officially belong to
the people of Hawai‘i County.
The purchase will ensure the preservation of numerous pre-historic and historic cultural
sites and structures on the property, including a burial complex and the Kauakaiakaola
Heiau. The Kauakaiakaola Heiau is among the most important historic and cultural sites
in the State, along with other West Hawai‘i historic sites such as Keolanāhihi, Mo‘okini
Heiau, and Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau.
These lands in West Hawai‘i were the home of pre-contact era Hawaiians, and their
preservation will enable people of Hawai‘i today to better understand the past.
“The acquisition is the largest single funded open space acquisition in the history of the
County’s Preservation Program,” said Mayor Harry Kim. “This purchase of a very
significant tract of lands will safeguard so many historical treasures. My congratulations
to everyone who worked so hard for this.”
Hawai‘i County Council Member Rebecca Villegas, who represents Council District in
which the newly-acquired lands lie, said: “It’s been honor to play even a small part in
bringing this auspicious purchase to fruition during my first term in office. I’ve driven
past this property thousands of times and always dreamed of it becoming a park for our
community. Thank you to all the hands and hearts that have worked for decades to
bring this purchase to fruition. I look forward to working side by side with the lineal
descendants, cultural practitioners and other stake holders to restore this property and
preserve our coastline.”
The $10.7 million cost for the parcels comes from 2% of real property taxes earmarked
annually for the County’s Preservation Fund.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
July 30, 2020 – Significant Lands Acquired by County
Page 2
The Puapua‘a properties are comprised of approximately 12.639 acres and are located
approximately two miles of Kailua Village on the makai side of Ali‘i Drive, and north of
the Casa de Emdeko Condominiums, most specifically described by the following tax
map key parcels:
1. 7-5-020;022 – consisting of approximately 4.2004 acres
2. 7-5-020;024 – consisting of approximately 3.0780 acres
3. 7-5-020;028 – consisting of approximately 0.0329 acres
4. 7-5-020;034 – consisting of approximately 5.3275 acres
The Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund is used to
acquire land or easements for public outdoor recreation and education, including
mauka/makai access, historic or culturally important areas and sites, natural resources,
significant habitat or ecosystems, forests, beaches, coastal areas, natural beautify,
agricultural lands, and watersheds.
For further information, contact Property Management at 961-8009 or the Department of
Finance at 961-8234.
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.