HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-10 Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes - Approved
Dr. Wayne Frank
Alex Kelepolo
Justin Lee
Chair
Diane 'Maka'ala' Kaneali'i
Shellie Bee Allen Naungayan
Deborah Chang
Jodie Rosam
Vice Chair
Deborah J. Ward
County of Hawai 'i Department of Finance
County Bldg. • 25 Aupuni Street• Suite No. 1101 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720-4245
Phone (808) 961-8069 • Fax (808) 961-8248
PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION
COMMISSION (PONC)
MINUTES
To view entire virtual live recorded public meeting #1, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8z7B7MuSbc&t=470s
I. CALL TO ORDER:
On January 10, 2022, the regular session, virtual meeting of the Public Access, Open Space, and
Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by CHR.
KELEPOLO. The Chair introduced the commission members, sunshine disclosure, read an
opening statement concerning public testimonies, and the reason for virtual meetings due
to the Mayor's Proclamation regarding COVID-19, gathering restrictions, and the need to
maintain social distancing.
Present: Ms. Alex Kelepolo, Chairperson (CHR.)
Ms. Deborah Chang, Vice Chair (V.CHR.)
Ms. Shellie Bee Allen Naungayan, Member
Wayne Frank, Member
Ms. Deborah J. Ward, Member
Ms. Jodie Rosam. Member
Mr. Justin Lee, Member
Ms. Diane Kaneali'i, Member (arrived 9:07 am)
Support Staff: Ms. Maxine Cutler, Commission Secretary
Mr. Hamana Ventura, Property Manager Department of Finance
Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel Representative
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II. ORAL TESTIMONY:
CHR. KELEPOLO and members heard oral testimonies presented by:
Ms. Debbie Hecht spoke on several changes to the administration of the 2% program and
commented on three of the communications. She expressed the need to accelerate the process
of acquisition, the process of Stewardship Grant awards, and monthly meetings. She gave a brief
outline on how this might be achieved. She expressed the need to save time by not accepting
repetitive nominations that have resolutions, and the need to fill a full-time position working
only on the 2% fund.
Ms. Sherri Hiraoka of Townscape, Inc. gave a brief update on the on-going process of both the
Kahuku Coastal Resource Management Plan and the Waikapuna Resource Management Plan
with a presentation (available upon request). She summarized the need for the management
plan for these two County-owned parcels that was purchased with the Fund and partnering
funding.
Ms. Rose Schilt of the Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Botanical Gardens, spoke on Comm. 22-
003. She expressed concerns for projects that are delayed, due to grant funding being slow to
award. She outlined the need to process grant funding and with this report, the fillable forms,
and instructions, she hopes the work of the commission and Finance will speed up the process
of the awarding grant funds timely.
Ms. Toni Withington of the Kohala Groups expressed her appreciation for those who served on
the permitted interaction group for the Mayor’s report. She gave a summary of how their past
applications was held in limbo for over a year with Dept. of Parks and Recreation (P&R).
Summing-up, the Kohala Groups are looking forward to the new application and instructions for
this year’s filing. She emphasized the need for continual interaction between the applicant and
County; and the need to speed the process of funding or reimbursement.
Ms. Janet Britt of Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Botanical Gardens and praised the commission
for their hard work of the new application and instructions. She contributed some suggestions
to make the Stewardship Grant application more effective
Ms. Maile Melrose of Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Botanical Gardens praised the commission
for their work on the grant application and the importance of receiving funding in a timely
manner. She explained that because of the delay in funding, another organization had to step in
to pay the worker, and that it is critical to know when the funding would be released.
Mr. Keoni Fox of Ala Kahakai Trails Association spoke on Comm. 22-004 and updates the
commission on the progress and supporting the County of the resources management plan.
They are very excited to engage with the first community meeting regarding the plan and hear
from them. He summaries the need for a resource management plan and the importance of
future stewardship.
Ms. Karen Eoff of Kohonaiki 'Ohana gave a brief background of the organization and on-going
stewardship efforts of O’oma Beach. She pointed out how critical the communication link is
between the County and the groups regarding funding.
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There being no further oral testimony, CHR. KELEPOLO closed the oral testimony and moved
to next item on the agenda.
Ill. MINUTES: (Motion required)
MOTION: MS. WARD moved to approve the November 8, 2021, minutes with corrections
sent to the secretary by MS. CHANG and MS. NAUNGAYAN. The motion was seconded by
MS. KANEALII. A brief discussion to ensued as to which version was the final draft. There being
no further discussion, CHR. KELEPOLO called for a verbal vote or raising of hands. All
members present voted; motion passed.
IV. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT:
Property Manager Mr. Ventura reported the closing of the fee acquisition of Wai'ele,
Puna. He acknowledged the efforts of former PONC member, the late Ms. Siracusa. He
announced the contract for a Conservation Easement of Mahukona, North Kohala and
other projects that are currently being reviewed. He answered questions from the
Commission.
V. DEPUTY CORPORATION COUNSEL:
Ms. Campbell reported that the Sunshine Law training has been completed and
acknowledged the State of Hawaii Office of Information and Practices for providing the
handouts and training materials.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Report of Permitted Interaction Group #1 (PlnG #1) for Mayor Roth's assignment.
MS. WARD gave a brief summary of the PlnG #1 report.
2. Report of Permitted Interaction Group #2 (PlnG #2) to standardize the Stewardship
Grant Application and process for next year's application deadline.
MS. CHANG gave a brief summary of the PlnG #2 report.
VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. The next virtual "Special" Meeting was scheduled for February 14, 2022, from 9:00 a.m.
to 12:00 p.m. or sooner.
2. Commission suggested that the following to be on the agenda:
a. Discussion of the two PlnG Reports.
b. Stewardship Grant Applications and Instructions (Motion needed)
c. Discussion of submitting twice a year, the Suggestion Forms.
d. Discussion of submitting twice a year, the Stewardship Grant Applications.
e. Creating a zoom workshop for first time applicants for both Suggestions Forms and
Stewardship Grant Applications.
f. Discussion of monthly meetings.
g. Discussion of Council resolutions on applications that are duplicated.
h. Discussion of filling the administrative position.
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VIII. ADJOURNMENT (Motion required)
There being no further suggested agenda items, MR. LEE moved to adjourn the meeting.
The motion was seconded by MS. NAUNGAYAN. CHR. KELEPOLO adjourned the meeting at
10:42 a.m.
PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL
RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MS. ALEX KELEPOLO, Chairperson
Draft posted: February 4, 2022
Posted Corrected Version.1: February 8, 2022
Posted Corrected Version.2: February 13, 2022
Approved by motion: February 14, 2022
Posted: February 14, 2022
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