Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-13 - Minutes DRAFT PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES July 13, 2026 Public Meeting West Hawaii Civic Center, Building G (The Hale) 74-5044 Keohokalole Hwy. Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 I. CALL TO ORDER: On July 13, 2026, the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) meeting was called to order at 9:34 a.m. by Chair Chang, who welcomed all in attendance and introduced the Commissioners and PONC Staff. Those who were present constituted a quorum. Present: Deborah Chang, Chair (Chr.) CD-1 Lokelani Brandt, Commissioner CD-3 Jodie Rosam, Commissioner CD-6 Janet Britt, Vice Chair (V. Chr.) CD-7 Jennifer Lawson, Commissioner CD-9 Absent: Amedeo Markoff, Commissioner CD-4 Vacant: District 2 District 5 District 8 Support Staff: Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel Representative (DCC) Shannon Arquitola, Property Manager, Department of Finance Benjamin Schapiro, Program Manager, Department of Finance Athena Kahaiali‘i, Program Support Technician II. STATEMENT(S) FROM THE PUBLIC: Chr. Chang opened the floor for public testimony and explained that testimony may be made at the beginning of the meeting or immediately preceding the agenda item being opened for deliberation by the Commission. DEBORAH WARD – testified as to her concerns with regard to Bill 165. DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 1 III. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REPORT: 1. Department of Finance to Share with the commission information and updates. No testifiers. a. Report of balances in the preservation and maintenance funds Mr. Ben Schapiro, PONC Program Manager, advised that the account balances of the preservation fund and the stewardship fund are available in the board packet. b. Update on the status of Bill 165 rd Mr. Schapiro stated that Bill 165 will have its third and final reading on July 23. If the bill does pass, it will go onto the November ballot for the public to decide. Mr. Schapiro goes on to explain the main points of Bill 165 and how it will affect the stewardship fund, the Charter, and eventually the Code, although we have not seen the proposed code language. c. Update on the Status of the Grant Application Website Ms. Laura Dierenfield, CIP Program Manager, shared that the County has since done a soft launch of the Grant Management System and is looking forward to working with the commissioners individually to both introduce them to the system and then get any feedback. Ms. Dierenfield further relates that an informational session for the new system was held the previous Thursday and was very well attended. She then states if anyone has any questions or feedback, to please reach out via the PONC team or grants@hawaiicounty.gov. Also, Ms. Dierenfield directs everyone to the property management website (openspace.hawaiicounty.gov) where links to register and access the portal are available. Ms. Dierenfield then welcomed any questions or feedback. Chr. Chang asked how commissioners would schedule their training. Ms. Dierenfield advised contacting Program Support Technician Kahaialiʻi to schedule slots on a first-come, first-served basis with up to two commissioners at a time. The training will be offered from late July to early August, before the grants are due. Chr. Chang then opened the floor for questions for Mr. Ben Schapiro. Chr. Chang asked if there was an estimation of when the proposed amendments to the code language would be available for review. Mr. Schapiro explained that in the last council meeting, Council Member Kierkiewicz stated that there should be some draft language available for review following a meeting that will be open th to the public on August 6. DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 2 Mr. Schapiro then followed up with an announcement of his departure from the PONC program and thanked the Commission, the Department of Finance, and the Public for their knowledge, kindness, and friendship. IV. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Discussion regarding Permitted Interaction Group site visit reports. Chr. Chang reminded the commission that they had the opportunity to send in questions that they might have had and that responses from the suggesters have been received. a. Sugg. 26-01, Kaumana Caves State Park Extension, South Hilo, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 2-5-006:003 No Testifiers. MOTION: V.Chr. Britt moved to adopt the site visit report for suggestion 26-01 Kaumana Caves State Park Extension. Seconded by Cmr. Lawson. Chr. Chang opened the floor for discussion. Chr. Chang thanked Cmr. Brandt for writing the report and catching the error on the TMK number as the incorrect TMK number is on the suggestion form. Cmr. Rosam expressed that this nomination has a lot of potential, and she sees high value in protecting a place like this, however she lacks confidence that this should be acquired by PONC and not County Parks. Also, the parcel is owned by the State, and she was unsure if the State had plans for that land. Chr. Chang agreed with Cmr. Rosam and voiced her concern that that part of the cave is not protected and still being entered. She also struggled with how there is a lack of information as we don’t know what County Parks or the State of Hawaiʻi thinks of this proposal. After asking if there were any further discussion and hearing none, Chr. Chang called for a vote to accept the site visit report. VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners Brandt, Rosam, Lawson, Chr. Chang, V. Chr. Britt Noes: None b. Sugg. 26-02, Kaʻawaliʻi Gulch Beach & Estuary, North Hilo, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 3-6-005:0014-0002, 015, 3-9-001:017 Phaethon Keeney – Nominator, testified with regards to recent developments of Kaʻawaliʻi Gulch DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 3 MOTION: Cmr. Rosam moved to adopt the site visit report for suggestion 26-02 Kaʻawaliʻi Gulch Beach & Estuary. Seconded by V. Chr. Britt. Chr. Chang opened the floor for discussion. Cmr. Lawson stated that the enthusiasm and organization around this site is impressive and adds to the confidence of the stewardship of these parcels. Chr. Chang asked Ms. Keeney if there had been any indication that there might be potential for other funds to help acquire this property. Ms. Keeney responded in the affirmative and noted that Laupahoehoe Charter School non-profit can apply for grants and that she also will apply for funding once the ranking for the property has been assigned. V.Chr. Britt asked what the current price is and wants to reconfirm that the seller is willing to work with PONC. Ms. Keeney confirms that the price has not changed. Chr. Chang asked if the owner is open to separating out these parcels. Ms. Keeney confirmed and added that the Triangle House could be purchased by other means if need be. After asking if there were any further discussion and hearing none, Chr. Chang called for a vote to accept the site visit report. VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners Brandt, Rosam, Lawson, Chr. Chang, V. Chr. Britt Noes: None c. Sugg. 26-03, Haina Makai, Hāmākua, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 4-5-002:081 Tawn Keeney – Nominator, testified with regards to a request for proposal of a trail feasibility study. Stacy Disney – Licensed Realtor, testified in support of Haina Makai MOTION: V.Chr. Britt moved to adopt the site visit report for suggestion 26-03 Haina Makai. Seconded by Cmr. Brandt and Cmr. Rosam Chr. Chang opened the floor for discussion. DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 4 V.Chr. Britt asked if the asking price is still $1,950,000. Ms. Disney responded that yes, the price is the same. Chr. Chang shared that she had spoken to the Department of Public Works to ask about public access to the property and found that there is a point where the public road ends and then becomes private. She then emphasized that this is an important opportunity to open up Mauka to Makai public access as currently the only public access to the ocean in this area is Waipiʻo Valley Road, which is closed to pedestrians for now. V.Chr. Britt asked if there are legal recorded access easments for public use on these private roads. Ms. Disney responded that for the property owners there are easments. Cmr. Rosam asked Mr. Keeney if there were talks of a nonprofit forming. Mr. Keeney responded that there are several nonprofits that are quite enthusiastic about the possibilities here, one being Honokaʻa Heritage Center and the other is Honokaʻa Youth Center. They are also looking at forming a Hui to coordinate stewardship for Hamakua nominations. Cmr. Rosam noted that a Hui a great model and an opportunity for collaborative skills. After asking if there were any further discussion and hearing none, Chr. Chang called for a vote to accept the site visit report. VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners Brandt, Rosam, Lawson, Chr. Chang, V. Chr. Britt Noes: None d. Sugg. 26-04 Hīlea, Kaū, Hawaiʻʻi TMK (3) 9-5-018:001 Michelle Galimba – Council Member, District 6, testified in support of Hīlea. Nohealani Kaʻawa – Hawaiʻi Island Forest Program Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy, testified in support of Hīlea. Shalan Crysdale – Director, Hawaiʻi Island Forest Program for The Nature Conservancy, testified in support of Hīlea MOTION: Cmr. Rosam moved to adopt the site visit report for suggestion 26-04 Hīlea. Seconded by V. Chr. Britt. Chr. Chang opened the floor for discussion. DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 5 V. Chr. Britt asked if the conservation easemment has been drafted and how much it will Cost. Mr. Crysdale responded that no, a conservation easement has not yet been drafted. DCC Campbell explained how a conservation easement works and what that process will entail. Also, typically at this point there is no draft yet as it is still very early in the process. Chr. Chang asked Mr. Crysdale how public access is to be managed and available. Mr. Crysdale stated that currently the Kaʻu Preserve is part of an access program for community hunting, which is a first come, first served weekend pass system, there are also volunteer and student programs that do stewardship work, and lastly TNC is partnering with Edith Kanakaʻole Founda?on (EKF) to better understand the kind of access that will need to be developed for stewardship of the Heiau and Makanau. COMMISSIONER DISCLOSURE: *Cmr. Rosam stated, for disclosure purposes, that she works for TNC, but that she has had no role in the application process and can vote fairly on this nomination.* Cmr. Rosam then goes on to speak to the potential of the value of this property in that it is an increadible opportunity to have protections from mauka to makai. She also states that the property can be well managed via major collaborations with EKF. After asking if there were any further discussion and hearing none, Chr. Chang called for a vote to accept the site visit report. VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners Brandt, Rosam, Lawson, Chr. Chang, V. Chr. Britt Noes: None e. Sugg. 26-05 Kaʻalāiki Kula, Kaū, Hawaiʻʻi TMK (3) 9-5-016:008, 010, 011, 024, 026, 031, 033, 034, 035 Lanihuli Kanahele – Edith Kanakaole Foundation, testified in support of Kaāiki Kulaʻal. Kamuela Kaʻapana – The Public Land Trust, testified in support of Kaāiki Kula andʻal Provided in update in conversations with the current landowner, The Olsen Trust. Huihui Kanahele-Mossman – Edith Kanakaole Foundation, testified in support of Kaāiki Kula and provided a history of its place names.ʻal Michelle Galimba – Council Member, District 6, testified in support of Kaāiki Kula.ʻal Kalā Mossman – Executive officer for Edith Kanakaole Foundation, testified on behalf of EKF’s capacity to care for these lands. DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 6 MOTION: V. Chr. Britt moved to adopt the site visit report for suggestion 26-05 Kaāiki Kula.ʻal Seconded by Cmr. Lawson. Chr. Chang opened the floor for discussion. Cmr. Brandt asked about the smaller lots indicated on the maps that were provided and wondered if they were Kuleana lots. Mr. Kaʻapana responded that yes, they are Kuleana lots that would be excluded as part of the acquisition as Olsen Trust only has partial interest in those lands. Cmr. Brandt thanked Mr. Kaʻapana for explaining and and shared that it would be nice, should any ʻOhana of those Kuleana lands come forward, to offer them a way to reconnect with their Āina Kupuna.ʻ Cmr. Rosam sees no flaws with this property being a PONC aquisition and says that the potential is amazing. She goes on to say she thinks that EKF is the perfect group to take on this Kuleana. Chr. Chang asked Mr. Kaʻapana about how the public access will be managed and available. Mr. Kaāina through ʻapana stated that the community will be able to access the ʻ community work days or through education programming. He further states that as EKF drafts the conservation easment, they can design how the component of public access would look. After asking if there were any further discussion and hearing none, Chr. Chang called for a vote to accept the site visit report. VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners Brandt, Rosam, Lawson, Chr. Chang, V. Chr. Britt Noes: None f. Sugg. 26-06, Shoreline Hakalau Iki, South Hilo, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 2-9-002:001 Kealohanui Browning – Realtor representing Kāmaulihou, testified in support of Hakalau Iki Beth Robinson – Director of Conservation and Legacy Lands at Hawaii Life, provided an update that the seller of the property will not relist the property if it ranks high in the PONC process. Christian Giarding – Board member of Kāmaulihou, testified in support of Hakalau Iki DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 7 and provided their strategies to secure a conservation easment, as well as for stewardship programming. Kanani Aton – Vice President on the Board of Kāmaulihou, testified on behalf of Kāmaulihou’s capacity to care for these lands. MOTION: Cmr. Rosam moved to adopt the site visit report for suggestion 26-06 Hakalau Iki. Seconded by V. Chr. Britt. Chr. Chang opened the floor for discussion. V. Chr. Britt asked the realtors what price the landowner is asking for the property. A speaker who did not identify themselves responded that the listing is no longer active, however the previous list price was $3,000,000.00 with the understanding that the property is subject to appraisal. Cmr. Brandt expressed that the amount of community support for this effort was amazing and that she is really hopeful for this nomination. Cmr. Rosam also expressed that this is an amazing submission and she is very excited for this project. After asking if there were any further discussion and hearing none, Chr. Chang called for a vote to accept the site visit report. VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners Brandt, Rosam, Lawson, Chr. Chang, V. Chr. Britt Noes: None g. Sugg. 26-08, Hōkūliʻa, South Kona, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 8-1-027:021 Kealoha Kinney – Nominator, testified in support of Hōkūliʻa. MOTION: V. Chr. Britt moved to adopt the site visit report for suggestion 26-08 Hōkūliʻa. Seconded by Cmr. Brandt. Chr. Chang opened the floor for discussion. V. Chr. Britt thanked Lee Cochran (not in attendance) for bringing the site to our knowledge. Cmr. Jen lawson stated that the community support for this space is really remarkable. She then asked Mr. Kinney if there were any updates with the parks association and DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 8 their role, and if there are other resources being leveraged for the purchase. Mr. Kinney responded that The Parks and Cultural Sites Association of Hōkūliʻa as well as the Homeowners Association are in support of the project. He continues to say that they do not anticipate securing funds to be an issue because of the support from various organizations and other partners that have expressed a strong interest in caring for the site and providing the resources to do so. V. Chr. Britt asked Mr. Kinney if he had a ballpark figure of what the fee value would be. Mr. Kinney stated that Mr. Cochran estimated the cost of the property to be $1.2 million which would include recovering Mr. Cochran’s costs for the development that they’ve done so far. Cmr. Rosam expressed her enthusiasm for this property and praised Mr. Kinney for all the hard work he’s done. Chr. Chang asked if the Hōkūliʻa Parks Associa?on is separate from the Cultural Sites Association. Mr. Kinney clarified that no, they are the same association, their official name is Hōkūliʻa Parks and Cultural Sites Association. Cmr. Brandt expressed her gratitude to Mr. Kinney for his work and bringing to light the vulnerabilities in the existing laws, or lack thereof, surrounding this particular cave system, and how this has started to raise important discussions around improving cave protections. After asking if there were any further discussion and hearing none, Chr. Chang called for a vote to accept the site visit report VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners Brandt, Rosam, Lawson, Chr. Chang, V. Chr. Britt Noes: None MEETING RECESSED: 11:37 a.m. MEETING RECONVENED: 12:11 p.m. V. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Establish the 2026 Prioritized List. Commission to discuss, reveiw, and score the following sugguestions: Chr. Chang reminded the commission that a new rule was adopted that established that any score under 70 would not be included in the priority list. The average scores for each suggestion is as follows: DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 9 a. Sugg. 26-01, Kaumana Caves State Park Extension, South Hilo, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 2-5-006:003 Score: 52% b. Sugg. 26-02, Kaʻawaliʻi Gulch Beach & Estuary, North Hilo, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 3-6-005:0014-0002, 015, 3-9-001:017 Score: 81.8% c. Sugg. 26-03, Haina Makai, Hāmākua, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 4-5-002:081 Score: 76.4% d. Sugg. 26-04 Hīlea, Kaū, Hawaiʻʻi TMK (3) 9-5-018:001 Score: 97.4% e. Sugg. 26-05 Kaʻalāiki Kula, Kaū, Hawaiʻʻi TMK (3) 9-5-016:008, 010, 011, 024, 026, 031, 033, 034, 035 Score: 98.4% f. Sugg. 26-06, Shoreline Hakalau Iki, South Hilo, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 2-9-002:001 Score: 93% g. Sugg. 26-08, Hōkūliʻa, South Kona, Hawaiʻi TMK (3) 8-1-027:021 Score: 89.8% MOTION: V. Chr. Britt moved to adopt the Prioritized List as determined. Seconded by Cmr. Rosam. VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners Brandt, Rosam, Lawson, Chr. Chang, V. Chr. Britt Noes: None A short discussion ensued with commission members deciding which commissioners would volunteer to write up the site visit reports to the Mayor. Cmr. Rosam reminded the commission that in a previous meeting, there was discussion of leaving the site visit reports as is with the exeption of edits and any new information. DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 10 DCC Campbell suggested passing on the edits to the PONC staff to then pass on to the drafter. The commission members then volunteered to write up the site visit reports as follows: Sugg. 26-02, Kaʻawaliʻi Gulch Beach & Estuary Cmr. Lawson Sugg. 26-03, Haina Makai Chr. Chang Sugg. 26-04 Hīlea Cmr. Rosam Sugg. 26-05 Kaʻalāiki Kula Cmr. Rosam Sugg. 26-06, Shoreline Hakalau Iki Cmr. Brandt Sugg. 26-08, Hōkūliʻa V. Chr. Britt Chr. Chang established a deadline for the reports of one month which would be August 14th. Program Manager Ben Schapiro asked the commissioners to make sure the TMKʻs are correct, to remember to credit the writer of the report and any photos, and also decide on a font. VI. MINUTES: (Motion(s) required) 1. Minutes (draft) of the May 11, 2026, regular meeting. No Testifiers. MOTION: Cmr. Rosam moved to approve the May 11, 2026 meeting minutes. Seconded by V. Chr. Britt. VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners Brandt, Rosam, Lawson, V. Chr. Britt, Chr. Chang Noes: None. VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. The next public meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hawaiʻi County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo Council Chambers, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720. Chr. Chang opens the floor for any announcements the commissioners wish to make. DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 11 V. Chr. Britt wished Program Manager Mr. Schapiro all the best and thanked him for his work with the PONC program. Cmr. Rosam announced a Hoʻolauleʻa happening at Kahuku this Saturday. 2. Requests and suggestions for agenda items for the next regular meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026 Chr. Chang would like to discuss the PInG that was formed at the last meeting which involved looking at the properties with a resolution and evaluate their current status. Also, she would like to discuss revisions of the site visit report form that were discussed. No other suggestions for agenda items were submitted. VIII. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION: V. Chr. Britt. moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Cmr. Lawson VOTE: Ayes: Commissioners Brandt, Rosam, Lawson, V. Chr. Britt, Chr. Chang Noes: None. Meeting adjourned at 12:31 p.m. PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION COMMISSIONER DEBORAH CHANG, Chairperson Draft posted: August 21, 2026 Approved: Approved posted: DRAFT v.1 - Minutes of July 13, 2026 Page 12