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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm. 24-054 Comm. 24-054 JNSYfOF M1jy Mitchell D.Roth Diane Nakagawa ��J i,ti Director Mayor r ;• Aaron Brown Deputy Director p OP'HF• County of Hawaii Hamana Ventura Finance Department—Property Management Division Property Manager 25 Aupuni Street,Room 118 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 (808)961-8234 • Fax(808)961-8248 DATE: November 8,2024 TO: Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission FROM: Department of Finance Property Management Division SUBJECT: 2025 Stewardship Grant Application Pre-Review Report The following report summarizes our preliminary review evaluations of stewardship grant applications received for the fiscal year 2025-2026. These evaluations aim to assist the PONC in making informed recommendations for the approval of grant funds based on the proposed scope of work, adherence to the Hawaii County Charter and Hawaii County Code, and potential areas of concern for each application. I. Application STU.25-01 Applicant: Hawaiian Islands Land Trust(HILT) Property: Mahukona Navigation &Ecological Complex Requested Amount: $76,348 Proposed Scope: Invasive species removal,native plant restoration, educational curriculum development, and public educational activities such as guided hikes and school site visits. Comments: • The application does not cover certain key parcels of land (TMK's 5-7-002:001 and 5-7- 003:010)which total 335 acres. Clarification is needed as to why these areas are excluded. • The application states that"there are no critical habitat designations" for the area; however, the conservation easement notes that Mahukona is known for frequent sightings of hoary bats and other endangered species. This inconsistency requires further clarification to ensure that proposed activities do not negatively impact these species. • The management plan for the property is not complete. This plan may influence trail maintenance and other activities on the site. • Additional information should be requested for the budget as it includes salaries,travel, and meeting expenses, some of which may not be allowable. 2. Application STU.25-02 Applicant: Pohaha I Ka Lam Property: Waip`io Valley Lookout Requested Amount: $80,400 Proposed Scope: Vegetation management,volunteer hosting,fire hazard reduction, and fence repair. Hawaz`z County is an equal opportunityprovider and employer. Comments: • There appears to be significant overlap between the work proposed for 2025 and previous applications,including tasks like fence repair that have been funded in prior years. Clarification is required to avoid duplication of funding. • The budget includes $8,000 for food to host volunteer groups,which may be excessive. • More information is required regarding the "Hosting Honorarium" mentioned in the budget. 3. Application STU.25-03 Applicant: Kupa Aina O Keauhou Property: Keauhou Bay Requested Amount: $83,000 Proposed Scope: Native plant and aquaculture restoration, educational workshops, community involvement, and security measures. Comments: • The applicant acknowledges that no existing management plan is in place.Without a baseline assessment or such a plan, certain proposed activities may not be viable. • Costs such as organizing workshops and maintenance schedules should be better delineated, as these may not fall under allowable stewardship activities. 4. Application STU.25-04 Applicant: Kohanaiki Ohana Property: O`oma Requested Amount: $48,000 Proposed Scope: Invasive species removal,native plant restoration, and integration of stewardship activities into local school curriculums. Comments: • Some tasks proposed for 2025 overlap with activities funded under the 2024 contract. It is recommended that the applicant revise the 2025 timeline to reflect the 2024 contract start. 5. Application STU.25-05 Applicant: Hawaii Environmental Restoration(HER) Property: Wai`ele Requested Amount: $45,037.01 Proposed Scope: Invasive species control, fire ant control,path creation, and marine debris removal. Comments: • The applicant plans to use herbicides,but this requires a Special Management Area(SMA) permit,which has yet to be applied for. • Some proposed mapping and survey activities include areas outside the PONC program. 2 Hawaz`z County is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 6. Application STU.25-06 Applicant: Na Maka Haloa O Waipi`o Property: Pohoiki Requested Amount: $237,000 Proposed Scope: Creation of a management plan, community education, cultural workshops, and consistent property maintenance. Comments: • Clarification and confirmation are needed from the applicant to ensure that the requested funds are to be used solely on PONC property-specific tasks. • A comprehensive management plan is yet to be completed,which may impact the scope of proposed activities. 7. Application STU.25-07 Applicant:Na Mamo O Kawa Property: Kawa Requested Amount: $137,280 Proposed Scope: Trail maintenance,resource monitoring,invasive species control, and volunteer group hosting. Comments: • The applicant did not provide a detailed breakdown of costs and did not submit organizational bylaws. 8. Application STU.25-08 Applicant: Friends of Amy BH Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden Property: Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens Requested Amount: $362,920 Proposed Scope: Space review, exhibit restoration, trail upgrades,forest canopy expansion, facility maintenance, and public education. Comments: • The requested funds seem to cover the organization's entire operation,not just PONC- eligible activities. Further information is needed. • The 2023 progress report indicates that construction occurred on the property,possibly without required building permits. 9. Application STU.25-09 Applicant: Ala Kahakai Trail Association Property: Waikapuna, Kaunamano, Kiolakaa Requested Amount: $145,025 Proposed Scope: Field crew management, trail and road maintenance, marine debris removal, and habitat restoration. 3 Hawaz`z County is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Comments: • Per the conservation easement agreement,the Kaunamano land management plan was due in October 2023; however,the applicant now estimates that it will be complete in April 2025.Any extension of the deadline for the management plan requires written approval by the County. • The Kiolakaa land management plan is due by October 2025. • With these plans not yet completed,it may be premature to award additional funding. 10. Application STU.25-10 Applicant: Ala Kahakai Trail Association Property: Kiolaka`a Requested Amount: $86,750 Proposed Scope: Development of a Community Resource Management Plan(CRMP) Comments: • The scope of work is identical to their 2024 application. Clarification from the applicant is necessary. 11. Application STU.25-11 Applicant: Ala Kahakai Trail Association Property: Kahua Olohu Requested Amount: $22,750 Proposed Scope: Grass mowing, debris removal,public education, cultural events, and waste management. Comments: • The request for$16,250 for contracted services and$5,500 for equipment and supplies needs clarification,particularly regarding the use of funds towards a trailer not purchased with PONC funds. 12. Application STU.25-12 Applicant: Vipassana Hawaii Property: Halelua Requested Amount: $1,000 Proposed Scope: Food and refreshments for community meetings regarding property management planning. Concerns: • The proposed expenses are not appropriate for PONC funding. The grant applications reflect a broad range of proposed stewardship activities, with many including tasks that will require additional information from the applicant. Areas requiring more information include overlapping tasks with prior contracts,incomplete management plans, and budgetary discrepancies. It is recommended that applicants provide further clarification and adjustments to ensure that their proposals align with PONC guidelines and avoid duplication of efforts and funding. This report is submitted for the commission's review and consideration in making final grant recommendations. Further inquiries with applicants to address outstanding concerns may be necessary. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. 4 Hawaz`z County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.