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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-24 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes (Hilo Mtg)HAWAII COUNTY PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES — REGULAR SESSION April 24, 2006, 10:30 a.m. Hawaii County Council Room 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Present: Kenneth Kaneshiro Ruth Walker Paul Campbell John Replogle Jocelyn Garovoy Hannah Springer Absent: Benedict Yung E. Kalani Flores Laura Schuster Others Present: Amy Self, Deputy Corporation Counsel Cathy Minor, Secretary Stacie Waltjen, Secretary Nancy Crawford, Department of Finance Stanley Iwamoto, Department of Finance CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair John Replogle at 10:31 a.m. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Margaret Willie Margaret Willie, a resident of Waimea spoke in support of Hoku`ula. Ms. Willie is a member of the Community Plan Development Group in Waimea and chairs the Land Conservation Subcommittee. This Hoku`ula parcel is listed on the Partnership List attached to the report to Mayor Kim. Ms. Willie expressed to the Commissioners that her Community Group would like to encourage and promote protection of this Hoku`ula parcel. Ms. Willie provided each Commissioner member with a memo regarding her comments on this parcel. Ms. Willie provided different options in protecting the parcel, one of which is having limited public access and if the public is allowed access, the public should first take the hunting classes before gaining entrance onto this Hoku`ula parcel. Ms. Willie indicated that she took this class herself and found it to be very informative. Ms. Willie's memo requests that development on this parcel be prohibited. Commissioner Springer informed Ms.Willie that this Commission is not in the capacity to accomplish this request and informed Ms. Willie that Peter Young of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is exploring the idea of providing buffers around water shed in light of recent damage. Commissioner Springer suggested that Ms. Willie write a letter to the Department of Land and Natural Resources regarding her concerns. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chair Hannah Springer moved for approval of the minutes of March 31, 2006 regular session and reconvened on April 3, 2006, seconded by Commissioner Kenneth Kaneshiro and carried unanimously by voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Harry Kim thanked the commissioners for all of their hard work and commitment to their task. Mayor Kim met with his department heads and asked them to submit reports with their comments regarding the priority list. Mayor Kim indicated that this list will be a "guiding light for us" and expressed that these lands are very special to our heritage. Mayor Kim favors partnerships with the State, Federal and private land owners to acquire special lands for Hawai`i's people. Mayor Kim informed the Commissioners that the County is currently working with Kamehameha Schools regarding the beachfront area in Waipio Valley. Mayor Kim met with the taro farmers, the business people, surfers, etc on how to protect this special area and also provide public access. Mayor Kim also expressed his agreement with the Commissioners in the number one priority parcel, Kawa`a Bay. Mayor Kim indicated he has 60 days to present this list to the County Council. Mayor Kim indicated that he would provide a rationale for his comments regarding each of the parcels provided. If the parcel is already protected, then it would get a lower priority compare to those properties that are not protected and requires a higher priority. It will be very important that the public understand his administration's reasoning when the list is given to the County Council. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 8, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Department of Liquor Control, Conference Room, 75 -5722 Hanama Place, Suite 1107, Kailua -Kona, Hawaii 96740. 2 ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Hannah Springer moved to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner Paul Campbell seconded the motion and all members voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 11:17 a. m. Respectfully submitted, Stacie Waltjen, Secretary