HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm 26-095 - LOS 26-02 Conners, Doug
Comm 26-095
Comm 26-095
TMK Numbers.: 3-3-6-005-0015, 3-3-6-005-0014-0002, and 3-3-9-001-0017
Anticipated Use if Acquired:
public shoreline access, cultural practice, natural resource stewardship, and community-
based education. The site would support managed use for fishing, gathering,
coordinated stewardship of a rare mauka-to-makai corridor from gulch to ocean.
Acquisition ensures long-term public benefit and prevents loss of access under private
ownership.
Significance of Property: -value coastal resource that
combines limited public shoreline access, documented cultural significance, and diverse
ecological systems within a single mauka-to-makai landscape. It serves as one of the
few remaining access points along this coastline and is tied to historic trail systems,
traditional practices, and active community use.
and forested gulch create a unique convergence of recreation, culture, watershed
function, and scenic value, making it an exceptional and time-sensitive opportunity for
permanent protection.
Special Opportunity for Acquisition/Management, etc.:
Rare coastal access opportunity in an area with limited public shoreline entry.
mauka-makai systems.
Multiple resource values present in one parcel: recreation, culture, ecology,
scenic value, watershed function.
Documented community support and identified stewardship partners.
Clear evidence of seller willingness and active market status, creating urgency.
Pros and Cons of Acquisition of Property
Pros - Preserves access, protects cultural practices, & maintains ecosystem
integrity
Cons - Access management challenges, maintenance requirements, & liability
considerations
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Comm 26-095
Resource value
1A. Public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and
mountains
Existing and potential uses including swimming, fishing, hiking, picnicking,
surfing, canoe/kayak access, and shoreline recreation.
The valley and trail corridor could support hiking, biking, horseback riding,
-based learning.
1B. Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites
Loa alignments, and mauka-makai trail systems.
The area is part of a documented cultural landscape connected to traditional
travel, farming, fishing, canoe-making, and ceremonial movement between shore
and uplands.
Historical studies and traditions link the area to -era trail
rights, and long-standing Hawaiian land use patterns.
1C. Protection of natural resources, significant habitat or ecosystems, including
buffer zones
Natural resources include a stream, estuary, shoreline, reef ecosystem, forested
gulch, freshwater influences, and seabird habitat, showing ecological diversity.
The area is a critical fishery, productive reef area, and coastal ecosystem with
freshwater influence from the valley and aquifer.
Protection would help conserve a connected upland-to-coast ecological corridor.
1D. Protection of forests, beaches, coastal areas, natural beauty, and agricultural
lands
The site includes undeveloped shoreline, gulch, stream mouth, beach, scenic
coastal cliffs, and open-space value.
There is potential for agriculture / agroforestry / cultural stewardship uses on the
valley floor and references rich soils and former agricultural use.
The property preserves a rare mauka-makai landscape connection with scenic
and educational value.
1E. Protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply
The stream, estuary, aquifer well, pumphouse history, and freshwater
contribution to the nearshore environment.
The valley is part of a broader watershed-to-ocean system, where protection
supports water quality, reef health, and coastal ecological function.
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Comm 26-095
Community support / Management-maintenance partners
2A. Level of community support
Elected leadership -
Community stewardship organizations
- The longstanding stewardship role in the
capability, maintenance continuity, and local familiarity with the lower gulch area.
presents a rare opportunity to extend coordinated stewardship across essentially
the full lower gulch area to the shoreline.
Community planning alignment. The nomination states that the project fits within the
priorities of the Plan and anticipated support
Local users and community volunteers. The nomination documents active
community use for fishing, swimming, gathering, hiking, and cultural practices, and
notes that community members have historically helped clean rubbish, maintain access
points, and share place-based knowledge.
Potential agency / nonprofit partners. The nomination identifies ongoing outreach to
Land, DOFAW, DAR, UH Hilo Forestry, North Hilo Community Council, HuiMAU, Hawaii
Wildlife Fund, and others.
2B. Identified management / maintenance partners
(LTM)
Additional partners as documented in letters of support
This proposed stewardship arrangement is strengthened by an existing pattern of
These organizations are not forming a new partnership for this nomination; they already
collaborate on community-
Music Festival. The museum has also demonstrated a sustained commitment to
agriculture and education through sponsorship of the Honeybee Education Program and
prior support of th This established partnership
reflects organizational continuity, coordination, and long-term project support, increasing
confidence in both implementation readiness and sustained stewardship.
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Comm 26-095
A principal concern in acquisitions of this kind is long-term maintenance. In this case,
the nomination is strengthened by partners with demonstrated experience in land
stewardship, event coordination, education-based programming, and volunteer
engagement. -rooted lead
stewardship model, while the LTM contributes proven continuity and direct stewardship
credible assurance that
improved over time rather than simply acquired.
Feasibility / Acquisition potential / Urgency
3A. Acquisition is feasible through the Fund and/or other means
The parcel is currently on the open market, and the owner has provided a letter
of intent to sell and is open to discussion on parcel configuration.
PONC funding could be used to secure the primary parcel while additional
funding sources are pursued for related areas or long-term improvements.
The project aligns well with established conservation and community-based
funding priorities, creating strong potential for supplemental funding and
partnerships. The project team has begun outreach to potential conservation
and community partners to explore collaborative acquisition strategies.
The project has strong potential to leverage matching or supplemental funding
due to its combined cultural, ecological, recreational, and educational value.
Given the broad community support, identified stewardship partners, and
alignment with conservation and cultural preservation priorities, this project is
well positioned to attract additional funding to complement PONC investment.
This multi-path funding approach reduces reliance on a single source and
increases the likelihood of successful acquisition.
3B. Property or easements are available / urgency for acquisition
The property is actively listed for sale at $13.2 million, with a confirmed willing
seller open to transactions with public or conservation buyers. The availability of
the property represents a current and finite acquisition window, not a speculative
opportunity.
Recent price reduction and active marketing indicate increasing market interest,
raising the likelihood of near-term sale. If acquired by a private buyer, there is a
high probability of restricted or eliminated public access, along with potential
changes in land use that could impact cultural practices and natural resources.
ecological value makes it unlikely that comparable opportunities will become
available in this area in the future. Timely acquisition is critical to secure public
access and prevent permanent loss of this resource, as delay significantly
increases the risk that the opportunity will be lost.
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