HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 Stewardship Grant Pre-Review PInG Report Stewardhip Grant Pre-Review PInG Report
PInG Members: Deborah Chang,Amedeo Markoff and La Crivello
Background
The PInG was formed at the PONC Regular Meeting of May 13, 2024. The public notice opening the Stewardship Grant
Application period was published on June 17. Unfortunately the deadline to apply for a pre-review was not included in
the public notice.The deadline appeared prominently on the first page of the application form and grant-related
contacts were notified of the pre-review opportunity by email on 6/17/24. Only one grant application was received by
the deadline for pre-review,which was July 5.The Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (AGEG) requested a pre-
review, and a site visit was scheduled for July 24, 2024.
Site Visit—July 24, 2024
AGEG Staff Present:
• Lou Putzel, Executive Director
• Joe Pryzdia, Garden Manager
• Sylvia Texeira, Education Coordinator
PONC Commissioners Present:
• Deborah Chang
• Amedeo Markoff
Summary of Site Visit:The Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (AGEG) consists of many educational programs and
events,gardens devoted to plants of special interest, and facilities necessary to propagating plants for outplanting and
public education and sales. Fundraising is accomplished through special events and quarterly plant sales held throughout
the year, and there is no question that the staff and contractors are kept very busy.
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Our meeting began
in this multi-purpose
building, called Hale o
Pulelehua.Their
informative
presentation has been
appended to this
-
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report.
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The building has been
extensively renovated
with a modest sized,
comfortable, and
well-equipped
meeting space and
kitchen used for
programs open to the
public. Adjoining the
meeting space is the
garden manager's
future residence. Hale
o Pulelehua's
walkways and bathroom have recently been improved to National Forest Service accessibility standards.
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We toured the grounds in an ATV,
starting with the newly fenced
"Upper Parcel;"which is not
contiguous with the rest of the
garden (TMK: 8-2-14:43, 1.13 acres).
Weed suppression using a shade
" cloth helps to keep the lot clear
while waiting for future expansion of
the plant nursery.The overgrown
° part of the lot with tall trees on it is
a large burial mound which has been
archaeologically surveyed, and its
Burial Treatment Plan is currently
� under review with the State Historic
Preservation Division (SHPD) burial
sites program. Kuaiwi that are part
of the Kona Field System are covered
by the shade cloth and are also
found in other parts of the garden.
They and all other historic/cultural sites are kept intact, and an archaeologist monitors whenever work is done that might
impact sites.
We did not see the Pa'ikapahu Heiau on TMK 8-2-15:59,which is also not contiguous with the main garden grounds.
Until archaeological work and SHPD approval(s) are obtained,work around the heiau will be limited to weed suppression
s e and removal in
consultation with
Native Hawaiians
F,
of the area.
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We ran out of time
to view several
i _ other buildings
� which are being
used for plant
propagation and
storage. We also
��.. didn't have time to
talk with the
garden's
horticulturist and
plant nursery
technician. No
doubt we would
" have benefitted
from those missed
m
opportunities.
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There was so much to see and talk about: the
special planted areas and how they are utilized
in the many educational events held throughout
the year. Educational Coordinator, Sylvia Texeira,
described the need to update and improve the
educational curriculum that has been used in the
past. Ample educational reference materials
app have been gathered and used over the years. As
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a trained educator, Sylvia has many ideas for
updating and improving the curriculum and
� e
increasing educational opportunities offered by
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AGEG for school groups and adults.
F Their extensive Hawaiian kalo collection
provides many in the community with plants for
their own gardens. Plants are given away when it
is time to harvest.
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F After harvest, replanting is done. Every stage
of kalo cultivation provides opportunities to
educate and engage the public.
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F The coconut rhinocerous beetle is being
carefully monitored by the garden and has not yet
been detected.The beetle is of particular concern
for the endemic Loulu (fan palm),which has
shown itself to be less able to survive its
infestation, compared to the coconut tree.
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Public Benefit: Throughout the site visit, Executive Director, Lou Putzel, emphasized that AGEG is intended to be "100%
community-owned." It is being planned, managed, and maintained strictly for public benefit. Nearly all programs, events,
and activities are open to the public, and its historic/cultural values are perpetuated and protected for future
generations.
F Security: Unfortunately, many plants from the predominantly Hawaiian 'Awa
collection were recently stolen, and security measures have had to be put in place,
i.e., motion-activated, night vision cameras. More security measures are needed,
and the grant application includes a request for funding of gates and more
cameras.
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Conclusions:
• Commissioners provided a few suggestions for improvement of the application.
Overall, no significant concerns or problems were noted in the application.
`ryi �w � ; • The application appears to be well-written and thorough. A few difficulties with
the fillable form are being encountered, and the PONC staff has been made aware
of them.The applicants were advised to devise work-arounds until county staff is
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able to improve the form.
�� �, - • Site visitation is an excellent way for PONC to gain a clearer understanding of the
work,future plans, and challenges being faced by the stewardship applicants. Unfortunately,we did not budget
enough time for a complete view of AGEG's extensive gardens and operations.
• There was a delay in receipt of stewardship grant funding for the current project period. We spoke only briefly
about this and did not get into specifics. However,the timing of receipt of funds can make or break a small nonprofit's
intended project. In the case of AGEG,there was fortunately a contingency fund that enabled them to continue
operations while waiting for county contract finalization and release of funds.
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It is recommended that the PONC commission, in consultation with county staff and the deputy corporation
determine the most time-efficient way to incorporate site visits and site visit reports into the Stewardship Grant
Application review process,while being in compliance with the Sunshine Law.
Respectfully Submitted,
Deborah Chang
La Crivello
Amedeo Markoff
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