HomeMy WebLinkAboutPONC Press Release and Handout#or County of Hawai'i
Public p p Access Open Space and Natural
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Purpose:
♦ To develop an island -wide prioritized list of qualifying lands worthy of
preservation within six months of appointment of the Commission and
submit it to the Mayor. Priorities shall be listed on an island -wide ra-
ther than district basis. The list shall include the significance of each
parcel or entitlement identified, the reason for its priority, and its
anticipated use after acquisition.
♦ To update this list at any time, but at least annually by December 31 of
each year.
♦ To explore methods of funding land acquisition and make
recommendations to the Mayor.
♦ To give emphasis to land acquisitions where the County's contribution
Authority: Hawaii County Code, Chapter 2, Article 42
Accomplishments:
♦ Purchased Waipi'o Lookout property in Hamakua,
Hawai'i, October 2007.
♦ Purchased Kaw7 in Ka'u, Hawaii, January 2008 with
$1,214,750 from the State, Dept. of Land & Natural
Resources, Legacy Land Conservation Program
Grant.
♦ Purchased Kaiholena (north parcels) in North Koha-
la, Hawaii, January 2010.
PONC Fund (aka Open Space or 2% Fund
2% of Hawai'i County real property tax revenues collected annually; fund to
be used for acquiring lands or property entitlements in the County of Hawai'i
for the following purposes:
♦ Public outdoor recreation and education, including
access to beaches and mountains.
♦ Preservation of historic or culturally important land
areas and sites.
♦ Protection of natural resources, including buffer
zones;
♦ Preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas, natural
beauty and agricultural lands; and
For more information contact Maxine Cutler of the County of Hawaii, Property Management Division
at (808) 961-8069 or visit our web -site at the address below:
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PRESS RELEASE
Do you know of a special property in Hawaii County that should be permanently preserved?
The County of Hawaii Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission
(PONC) encourages the public to propose properties that should be purchased. Forms to suggest
properties can be downloaded from the County of Hawaii website at: 2018 Suggestion Forms (10-9-
17)
or by obtaining a form at the address below. Suggestion forms are due by 4:30 p.m. on
FEBRUARY 28, 2018.
Commissioners review the suggestion forms submitted by the public, and consider the
significant factors of each property such as historic and culturally important features; opportunities for
outdoor recreation and education; public access to beaches or mountains; preservation of forests,
beaches, coastal areas, and natural beauty; protection of natural resources and watershed lands;
potential partners for management; and the general benefits to the public. Potential acquisitions are
then prioritized and listed in a report that is sent to the Mayor at the end of each year. The Mayor then
forwards his recommendations to the Hawaii County Council, which adopts resolutions to authorize
property purchases. For more information on the process, go to: Hawai'i County Charter 10-15, 10-16,
and Code, Article 42
Past open space purchases total 1,287 acres, and include Kawa oceanfront parcels in Ka`u;
Kaiholena, Pa`o`o and Haw! Banyan Trees property in North Kohala; Klpapa Park, White Sands
Mauka and `O`oma in North Kona; property near Waipi`o Lookout in Hamakua; and the newly
acquired Pohoiki Bay parcel in Puna.
PONC funds are derived from 2% of Hawaii County's annual real property tax revenues. The
County has also been able to obtain more than $7.5 million in matching funds and donations from
other sources to help purchase open space properties. A Maintenance Fund has also been established
to provide stewardship assistance to community organizations to maintain properties that are acquired
with PONC funds.
The nine PONC commissioners represent each of the nine County Council districts on Hawaii
Island. To find out the commissioner for your district go to: PONC Commission Fact Sheet. The
Commission meets every other month at the Hilo County Building or the West Hawai'i Civic Center,
and public testimony is welcome.
If you need further information please contact: Maxine Cutler of the County of Hawaii
Property Management Division, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1101 at (808) 961-8069 or visit the website at:
County of Hawaii. PONC Commission Website..
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