HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-31 Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes AM Session-Approved
K OOHAN P AIK M ANDER
R ICK W ARSHAUER
A LEX K ELEPOLO
Chairperson
S HELLIE B EE A LLEN N AUNGAYAN
D R. W AYNE F RANK
V ACANT (5)
Vice-Chair
J USTIN B.L EE
K EKAULIKE T OMICH
S USAN WELLS F ISCHER
County of Hawai‘i
PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
PRESERVATION COMMISSION
County Bldg. 25 Aupuni Street Suite No. 1101 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720-4245
Phone (808) 961-8069 Fax (808) 961-8248
MINUTES
To view the entire virtual live recorded public meeting#4,go
to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDbdvg2C0fY
I.CALL TOORDER:
On August 31, 2020, the regular, morning session, virtual meeting of the Public
Access, Open Space, and Natural Recourses Preservation Commission (PONC)
was called to order at 9:12 a.m. by CHR. WARSHAUER reads the opening
statement concerning public testimonies and reason for virtual meetings due to
the Mayor’s Proclamation regarding COVID-19 and to maintain social distancing.
Present:Mr. Rick Warshauer, Chair (CHR.)
Dr. Wayne Frank, Vice Chair
Ms. Alex Kelepolo, Member
Ms. Shellie Bee Allen Naungayan, Member
Mr. Justin B. Lee, Member
Mr. Kekaulike Tomich, Member
Ms. Koohan Paik Mander, Member
Ms. Susan Wells Fischer, Member
Support Staff:Ms. Maxine Cutler, Commission Secretary
Mr. Hamana Ventura, Property Manager, Dept. of Finance
Mr. John Mukai, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Absent:Vacant District 5
II.PUBLIC TESTIMONIES FROM THE PUBLIC: (Comm. 20-055 to080):
Motion to accept and file (Accepted and Filed)
Motion: MS. WELLS FISCHER motioned to accept and file Comm. 20-055 to 20-080,
seconded by MS. KELEPOLO, being no discussion, CHR. WARSHAUER calls for a
verbal vote or by a show of hands, all members present voted by a show of hands and
verbal, motion carried.
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III.APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion to Approve (Approved)
Minutes of July 13, 2020, Regular Session
Motion: MS. WELLS FISCHER motioned to approve minutes of July 9, 2020,with
corrections sent to the secretary, seconded by DR. FRANK, being no discussion, CHR.
WARSHAUER calls for a verbal voteor by a show of hands, all members present voted
by ashow of hands and verbal, motion carried.
IV.DEPARTMENT OF FINANCEREPORT:
MR. VENTURA updates the commission on the successful purchase of the real property
known as Puapua’a, N. Kona,and procurement of a management plan for a PONC
Chair Warshauer inquired about the futureacquisition of other properties such as
Wai’ele, Puna. Mr. Ventura summarized that all projects needapproval from the
administration.
V.CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT:(none)
Being no report given by CHR. WARSHAUER, he directs the commission to proceed to
the next order of business, Unfinished Business.
VI.UNFINISHEDBUSINESS:
Commission to review and discuss 2020Suggestions.
1.Sugg. 20-. MR. LEE discusses with the commission that he
had the privilege of visiting the property with some friends and was able to stay
overnight. He confirms the existence of cabins, majestic scenery, the property is for
sale, there is a willing seller, confirms watersheds, great for education and
agriculture purposes. It is idealfor public access. It does back up to the forest
reserve.
2.Sugg. 20-. MR. LEE gives a verbal report to the commission
concerning his site visit with Mr. Fox; confirms the existence of rare, cultural, and
historical significance in pristine conditions. He does mention vehicularaccessibility.
3.Sugg. 20-001, Keakealaniwahineat Banyans, N. Kona. MS. NAUNGAYAN
discusses with the commission that there is no map with the suggestion, gives
personal experiences relating to the property, difficulty in parking, the shower
installation by the homeowners, but cannot confirm if the shower is still operational.
Discussion regarding beach access ensued.
4.Sugg. 20-010, Kaupalaoa, N.Kohala.MS. WELLS FISCHER discusses with the
commission her recollection of adescription by Mr. Rick Gmirkin, an archeologist
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with the National parkService, confirming the existence of villages connected by
trails to the Kohala Field System, known as the ‘meeting place’ in ancient Hawaiian
culture.
5.Sugg. 20-005, and 017, Mahukona, N. Kohala.MS. WELLS FISCHER discusses
the history of this place for swimming, fishing, diving, and how throughout the years,
developers have proposed a resort and a boat harbor with the launch ramp.
6.Sugg. 20-009, Honoipu, N. Kohala.MS. WELLS FISCHER talks about the odd
division of the property that cutsthrough abuilding used to be a Coast Guard Loran
Station. There is road access, might currently being developed by the present
owners, surrounded by cattle, and agriculture. This used to be a Coast Guard
Station.
7.Sugg. 20-003, Halelua, Sugg. 20-004, Hapu’u –Kapanai’a, N. Kohala. MS.
WELLS FISCHER gives a summary of these properties and their significance for
preservation.
VII.NEW BUSINESS:
Commission to hear Written Ad Hoc Site Visits Reports (if any):
1.Sugg. 20-verbal site visit report with pictures given by MS.
WELLS FISCHER and MR. LEE. They confirm the ideallocation for sustainably rich
in native and cultural history andgathering. MR. LEE read his written report.
2.Sugg. 20-020 Ka’u Ola Mau, Ka’u,verbal site visit report with pictures given by MS.
WELLS FISCHER. Confirms property idealfor education, agriculture, and watershed.
Discussion ensued clarifying the commission’s duties to rank and prioritize the
suggestions.
3.Sugg. 20-019, Shirakawa Hotel, Ka’u,verbal site visit report with maps,pictures
given by MS. WELLSFISCHER.
4.Sugg. 20-011Honu’apo, Ka’u, verbal site visit report with pictures given by MS.
WELLS FISCHER
5.Sugg. 20-001, Keakealaniwahineat Banyans, N. Kona,
Sugg. 20-002, Pahoehoe 1st La’aloa, N. Kona,and
Sugg. 20-012 Magic Sands, N. Kona.Averbal site visit report with picturesgiven
by MS.WELLS FISCHERclarifies the location of the subject properties in
relationship to previous PONC purchases(White Sands and Park) ideal for
surfing, public access,and parking.
6.Sugg. 20-013 Ke Ala Kakou Path, N. Kona, verbal site visit report with pictures by
MS. WELLS FISCHERof the area of the proposed path.
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7.Sugg. 20-015, Pepe’ekeo Aina, S. Hilo. A verbal site visit report with pictures by
MS. WELLS FISCHER regarding the concrete structure,trail to the bay, Lauhala
grove,foundation stones from the sugar plantationdays.
VIII.ANNOUNCEMENTS
1.The next virtual meeting is scheduledfor this afternoon, August 31, 2020,from 12:30
p.m. till 3:00p.m.
2.Agenda:
a.Discuss Ad Hoc Site Written Reports (ifany)
b.Suggestion formrevisions.
IX.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business at approx. 11:09 a.m. CHR. WARSHAUER adjourns the
meeting.
Respectfully submitted by:
Maxine Cutler
Commission Secretary
Approved: October 14, 2020
Posted: November 11, 2020
Hawai‘i County isan Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
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