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1lawai`i Wi�c�li�e rune <br />Post Office 15ox70 • Volcano, 111 • 9678)' <br />Celebrating 22 years of protecting <br />LIawai'i s native wildlife through research, <br />education and conservation. <br />To: County of Hawai'i Charter Commission (charter.commission@hawaiicounty.gov) <br />Cc: Mayor Harry Kim and Mayor's Office Staff <br />Re: Proposed changes to Hawai'i County Charter Section 10-15 related to the Public Access, Open <br />Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund (OPPOSED to Communication 21, yet in FULL <br />SUPPORT of Communication 7.6) <br />14 December 2018 <br />Aloha County of Hawai'i Charter Commission members, <br />Hawai'i Wildlife Fund (HWF) is in full support of maintaining the Public Access, Open Space, and <br />Natural Resources Preservation Fund at it's current rate of 2% of the County's real property tax <br />income. It is in the best interest to the residents, visitors, natural and cultural resources of Hawai'i <br />County to protect and preserve as much land as possible, as guided by the PONC Commission and <br />with nominations / support from the community. This measure has been on the ballot and <br />supported by the majority of Hawai'i County residents on multiple occasions, and is not the fund that <br />should be used to "balance the budget" as is now proposed. <br />Hawai'i Island is home to thousands of native species living from the depths of coral -reef ecosystems <br />to the very top of Mauna Kea. Like many island ecosystems, a large percentage of the native wildlife <br />living in the Hawaiian archipelago are endemic to this region — or only found here. At the same time, <br />island ecosystems are much more vulnerable to the threats of invasive species and natural disasters, <br />and are consequently more at risk for extinction than their continental counterparts. The health and <br />wellness of the Hawai'i County residents is intimately linked to the health of the surrounding <br />environment. It behooves us to bolster programs such as the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural <br />Resources Preservation Fund and the accompanying Maintenance Fund (Section 10-16), that are <br />working to protect, conserve, and steward such wahi pang (sacred / special places). <br />Comm. No. 7.6.1 <br />www.wi/a'/awwii org <br />