Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-04 Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes - ApprovedPUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION (PONC) MINUTES (Version 3, Approved) April 4, 2022 Hilo Council Chambers Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St. Suite 1401 Hilo, HI. 96720 I. CALL TO ORDER: On April 4, 2022, the regular session meeting of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission an advisory commission to the Mayor was called to order at 9:01 a.m. by CHR. KELEPOLO by welcoming the commission to their first public meeting since Covid restrictions. CHR. KELEPOLO made an announcement regarding virtual meetings are no longer being held due to Governor's Ige withdrawal of the COVID 19 Proclamation and introduced the commission. Those present constituted a ld = Present: Ms. Alex Kelepolo, Chairperson (CHR.) Ms. Deborah Chang, Vice Chair (V.CHR.) Dr. Wayne Frank, Member Ms. Diane Kaneali'i, Member Mr. Justin Lee, Member Ms. Shellie Bee Allen Naungayan, Member Ms. Jodie Rosam, Member Ms. Deborah J. Ward, Member Support Staff: Ms. Maxine Cutler, Commission Secretary Mr. Hamana Ventura, Property Manager Department of Finance Ms. Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel Representative II. STATEMENT(S) FROM THE PUBLIC: CHR. KELEPOLO and members heard oral testimonies presented by: Ms. Toni Withington testify on behalf of the Kohala Groups spokesperson for the groups and gave a brief historical background about the North Kohala area and cultural signifi- cance of the area. She spoke of partnering funding with County, Legacy Land Grant, and HILTs contribution for the acquisition of Mahukona, N. Kohala. She updates the commis- sion regarding the final acquisition of Kapanai'a Bay, N. Kohala and other potential prop- erties that are being acquired through private funding. She expressed her concerns re- garding the Suggestion Form requiring the nominator to provide a response to question #7, and the public did not have a chance to make comments. She encourages the com- Page 1 mission to review question #7. Ms. Harvey updates the commission on Sugg. 22-001, that the owner is willing to grant an easement to the County. She gave a brief historical and cultural significance of the project, and the need to preserve the monument and pilgrimage route. She is working with various organization for grant funding in riparian work on the Monument. The Ease- ment acquisition would benefit to the community and cultural history of the villages. Ms. Elaine Nakagawa testifies in support of Sugg. 22-001, the significance of the monu- ment for the community, her childhood memories walking past it, and now its weathered, worn, and in need of repair. She hopes that the easement would provide a safe walking path as she resides nearby. Ms. Claudia Rohr testifies on Comm. 22-009, 010, and 012 and not in support of Sugg. 21-024, Kaumaui. She is a resident next door, and she was not notified by the nominator of their intention for future acquisition of this property through the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources process. She suggested that the suggestion forms be up- dated to include notification of neighbors, and a better way of notifying the public, and seeking to improve the process. Mr. Joseph Rescones testify in support of Sugg. 22-001, and gave a brief history of his childhood upbringing and his personal relationship with Hawaiian cultural practices. He also announces that he is running for public office. There being no further statement from the public, CHR. KELEPOLO closed the oral public testimony by motion, moved by Ms. Chang and seconded by Mr. Lee. There being no objections, and unanimous vote, motion passed. CHR. KELEPOLO moved to the next item on the agenda. III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: (ACKNOWLEDGED) CHR. KELEPOLO acknowledge, accept, and file Comm. 22-009 — Comm. 22-014, no motion required and moved to the next item on the agenda. IV. MINUTES: (Motion required) MOTION: MS. WARD moved to approve the March 14, 2022, special meeting minutes with corrections sent to the secretary by MS. CHANG. The motion was se- conded 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. Page 2 CHR. KELEPOLO moved to the next item on the agenda, old business and invites Ms. Chang to give a summary of the report. V. OLD BUSINESS: MS. CHANG gave a summary of the PInG#2, Second Increment report regarding the Steward- ship Grant progress report form and asked the commission to review and be ready to approve the new fillable form and instructions. VI. NEW BUSINESS: 1. The commission to discuss, review, and interview 2022 Suggestions submitted by the January 31, 2022, deadline. a. Sugg. 22-01, Historic 88 Temples Walk, c/o Ms. Harvey. i. MS. WARD spoke of her gratitude for Ms. Harvey for coming and looks forward to visiting the sites. ii. MS. CHANG asks for clarification of the colored map and what is the vision and use of those areas. Ms. Harvey explains the histori- cal value of the areas, the uses, and restoration of the monument. iii. MS. WARD asks for their position if it does make it thru the PONC process. Ms. Harvey explains that their group will continue to seek private funding to make it possible for public access. iv. CHR. KELEPOLO confirms that the Holualoa Road is very narrow, and asks Ms. Harvey if the landowner is aware that a conservation easement will restrict development and building. Ms. Harvey con- firms v. MR. LEE asks if there is a ballpark price for the easement. Ms. Harvey says it would be great if they donate it. She gave the commission historical background on all of the properties adjacent to the proposed easement, as well as a vision for ultimately ex- tending the easement in the future. b. Sugg. 22-02, Halelua; -03, Hapu'u to Kapanai'a; -04, Honoipu; -05, Lamaloloa; 06, Keawenui; -07, Kukuipahu-Haena; with spokesperson for the Kohala Groups, Ms. Withington. i. MR. LEE compliments the efforts of the groups involvement in pre- serving the Kohala coastal area and the progress they have made. ii. MS. WARD asks if there is anything new about the suggestions. Ms. Withington gives an update on Lamaloloa and working the flo- ra restoration project on the neighbor's property. Ms. Ward asks for update on Archeological surveys and fire prevention efforts. Ms. Withington says that Dr. Michael Graves has been conducting site visits on neighboring properties and hopes that he will visit the properties. iii. MS. NAUNGAYAN asked for clarification on the educational back - Page 3 ground of Dr. Graves. Ms. Withington gave a brief educational background of him and his findings in the areas of North Kohala regarding sediments and cultural involvement. iv. MS. CHANG asks for clarification of the North Kohala Land Trust. Ms. Withington explains her best but not sure of its origin and con- firms that this is not a property that was nominated this year. v. MS. CHANG asks for updates regarding Honoipu. Ms. Withington gives a brief historical background of the ownership of the proper- ty and the new ownership willingness to entertain an easement for a portion of the property. She also confirms that the present own- ers have restored the existing buildings and they are living there. MS. CHANG explains that the nomination includes Mr. Eggan's property, but they have developed it, but the community would be interested in a parking lot and access. vi. MS. WARD testifies that the details of Honoipu is confusion since there is not a clear view about the property. vii. MS. NAUNGAYAN confirms that the renovation and building a ga- zebo changes the footprints of the property. viii. CHR. KELEPOLO stats that the additional information and clarity of Honoipu will help the finance department, being there is no resolu- tion. MR. VENTURA confirms that it is really up to the commission to rank what the new information is given. ix. MS. KANEALII asks for clarification of ownership of the road. Ms. Withington says the State and the Egan's family owns it, but the federal has no interest in the road. c. Sugg. 22-008, Connecting to Holualoa Royal Complex. Mr. and Mrs. Blan- cett-Maddock presents a flood map to the commission and will be availa- ble after the meeting to the secretary to be distributed and be part of the board packet. i. MS. NAUNGAYAN asks about the flood issues. She says this is not part of the PONC process and it should be a Planning issue. Mr. Blancett-Maddock gave a history of the development activities are being contested. He gives a brief background of his involvement with the development of this project. He does confirm that the landowners are not willing sellers. ii. Mr. Blancett-Maddock continues to testify of the culturally signifi- cant of the properties and the historical trails. He opines the ne- cessity of preserving the area. iii. CHR. KELEPOLO expresses her appreciate to the Maddocks for bringing the nomination to PONC every year and being so pas- sionate about the area. Page 4 2. Commission to discuss potential site visits of the 2022 Suggestions, form Permitted interaction groups, and scope of work. After much discussion the following groups was formed. i. Permitted Interaction Group #1 (PInG #1) members are: Ms. Chang, Mr. Lee, Ms. Kanealii, and Chr. Kelepolo to visit Sugg. 22- 01, Historic 88 Temple Walk and write a report for the next meet- ing in May. MOTION. MS. CHANG moved to approve PInG #1 members, site visit to Sugg. 22-01 and 22-08, and written report. The motion was seconded by MS. NAUNGAYAN. Being no further discussion, all voted aye, the motion passed. After much discussion of adding an alternate and Sugg. 22-08 Holualoa Royal Complex to PInG #1, the original motion was with- drawn. MOTION. MS. NAUNGAYAN moved to approve PInG #1 mem- bers: Ms. Chang, Mr. Lee, Ms. Kanealii, Chr. Kelepolo, with Ms. Ward as an alternate to visit Sugg. 22-01 and 22-08 and write a report for May's meeting. The motion was seconded by MS. ROS- AM. There being no further discussion, all voted aye, the motion passed. ii. Permitted Interaction Group #2 (PInG#2) members are: Ms. Ward, Ms. Naungayan, Ms. ROSAM, to visit Sugg. 22-04 Honoipu and Sugg. 22-07, Kukuipahu-Haena, and write a report for May's meet- ing. MOTION. DR. FRANK moved to approve PInG #2 members: Ms. ROSAM, Ms. Ward, and Ms. Naungayan; to visit Sugg. 22-04 and 07; and write a report. The motion was seconded by (inaudible), being no further discussions, all voted aye, the motion passed. 3. Commission to review and discuss changes to the Rules of Practices and Procedures of the Hawaii County's PONC. a. Discussion was held with MS. CAMPBELL regarding the rules changes and making suggestions to changes of the rules, draft will be made, and presented to the commission, and public. Hopefully for the July 2022. b. MS. CAMPBELL suggest giving suggestions to her or CHR. KELEPOLO and encourages the commission to email them their suggestions early. c. Discussion was held by the July meeting a draft for the commission to Page 5 discuss and review. This process may take several meetings, including public meetings before the final version is approved. VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS: CHR. KELEPOLO announces the next meeting and discusses with the commission ideas for the agenda. ➢ The next public meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Building G, Kailua-Kona Hawaii 96740. ➢ Suggestions for the agenda: i. Discussion regarding changes to the Stewardship progress Report and Instructions recommended by PInG #2 report mo- tion needed. ii. PInG #1 and PInG #2 Site Visit Reports. iii. Discussion regarding posting past site visit reports on a public site. iv. Report from the Department of Parks and Recreation regarding the Stewardship Grants Award. V. Revision of the Suggestion Form, question #7 regarding infor- mation from the landowner. VIII. ADJOURNMENT (Motion required) There being no further suggested agenda items, MS. ROSAM moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by MR. LEE. CHR. KELEPOLO adjourned the meet- ing at 12:33 p.m. PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATU- RALRESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMIS- SION MS. ALEX KELEPOLO, Chairperson Draft posted: May 11, 2022 Draft No. 2, corrected and posted: June 27, 2022 Draft No. 3, corrected and posted: July 6, 2022 Approved: July 11, 2022 Posted: August 15, 2022 Page 6