HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm 26-006 - LOS 26-02 HWF
Comm 26-006
H awai‘iWildlife Fund
P.O. Box 1801, Kealakekua HI 96750 &
P.O. Box 790637, Paia HI 96779
ConservingnativewildlifeinHawaiisince1996.
29 January 2026
Re: SUPPORT for a Gulch nomination to PONC
Aloha Public Open Space & Natural Resource Preservation Commissioners,
We in strong supportof community effortsto preserveopen space and protect beach accessat
Gulch through purchase of the parcel located at 36-2850 Belt Road, TMK (3) 3-6-
005:015 + CPR TMK (3) 3-6-005:014.
This 13.67-acre valley—encompassing beach, stream, and rich natural resources—represents a
significant opportunity for community benefit. The parcel be ideally through
collaboration among active community organizations including Hui o (the nonprofit
arm of School), Train Museum, and local fishing organizations. Should fee
simple purchase of the entire parcel prove unfeasible, strongly advocate for restoring public access
through easement purchase, as current access is gated over historically the Ala Loa, no
apparent public right of
Wildlife Fund (HWF) is a nonprofit organization thirty years of experience conserving native
species across Our encompasses research, education, restoration, and advocacy focused
on protecting coastal and nearshore ecosystems. Based on Island and Maui, concentrate our
Island coastal restoration efforts along the remote coastline, including several properties
that have already been secured in perpetuity through PONC funding.
We support using public funds through the PONC program to acquire and these
Gulch parcels. These properties are critically important for:
Native habitat and corridors in the region
Community accessfor residents, fishers, and gatherers
Watershedhealth and vital mauka-makai connections
Comm 26-006
Again,WildlifeFundstronglysupportscommunityeffortstoseekfundingforthisproperty
throughthePONCprocess. ProperofGulchservethegreatergoodfor
generationstocome.Pleaseletusifyouhaveanyfurtherquestionsorfeelfreetocall / emailif
you’dliketodiscussmore. Manythanksforyourtimeandconsiderationonthisimportantmatter!
Mekamahalopumehana,
MeganR.Lamson,M.S.HannahBernard
WildlifeFund – Kealakekua WildlifeFund –
President &ProgramDirector Co-founder & ExecutiveDirector
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