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Home My WebLink About2017-11-27 PONC Proposed Properties for Preservation -- press release (3) Deanna S. Sako Harry Kim Finance Director Mayor Hamana Ventura Property Manager County of Hawai‘i DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE 25 Aupuni Street  Suite No. 2103  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720-4245 Phone (808) 961-8234  Fax (808) 961-8569 December 1, 2017 NEWS RELEASE Open Space Commission Seeking Proposals regarding Properties to be Permanently Preserved Do you know of a special property in Hawai‘i County that should be permanently preserved? The County of Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i 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 Kāwā oceanfront parcels in Ka‘ū; Kaiholena, Pa‘o‘o and Hāwī Banyan Trees property in North Kohala; Kīpapa Park, White Sands Mauka and ‘O‘oma in North Kona; property near Waipi‘o Lookout in Hāmākua; and the newly acquired Pohoiki Bay parcel in Puna. PONC funds are derived from 2% of Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer 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 Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i Property Management Division, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1101, Hilo, HI 96720 or call (808) 961-8069 or visit the website at: County of Hawai'i, PONC Commission Website. Wil Okabe Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 NEWS RELEASE November 28, 2017 County Seeking Applicants for Boards and Commissions The County of Hawai’i is seeking applicants to fill vacancies in various Boards and Commissions, notably the Banyan Drive Hawai'i Redevelopment Agency, Environmental Management Commission, Game Management Advisory Commission and Transportation Commission. Members of these Boards and Commissions serve for staggered terms of five years, on a voluntary basis. The following vacancies need to be filled:  Banyan Drive Hawai'i Redevelopment Agency (one vacancy, regardless of District)  Environmental Management Commission (Districts 2, 3, 7, 8)  Game Management Advisory Commission (Districts 1, 2, 6, 9)  Transportation Commission (District 6, 7, 8, 9) The County also wants to fill nine vacancies on the Cost of Government Commission, representing each of the nine Council Districts. Members serve consecutive 11-month terms. For all Boards and Commission, travel expenses to and from meetings are reimbursed. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, residents of the State of Hawai’i, and may not hold any other public office. The Mayor’s Office will fill the vacancies on Boards and Commissions from a list of applicants. Application forms are available online at www.hawaiicounty.gov/office-of- the-mayor . For further information, please contact Rose Bautista, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, at 961-8211 or at rose.bautista@hawaiicounty.gov . County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.