HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0021.013 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fundHAWAIIAN ISLANDS
LAND TRUST
December 13, 2018
Hawaii County Charter Commission
25 Aupuni St.
Hilo, HI 96720
charter. commission(a�hawaiicounty.gov
Re: Proposal to amend Section 10-15 and Section 10-16, by repealing and replacing provisions for the
Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund and Maintenance Fund
Aloha Commissions,
The Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (HILT) works to protect the lands that sustain us for current and future
generations. To date, HILT has completed over 40 projects and conserved over 18,000 acres of land
working together with the State, Counties, landowners, and communities to protect the lands from
development and to preserve the natural and cultural resources that provide for our unique way of life
here in Hawaii.
The Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund (PONC) was created in 2006
through a ballot initiative and supported by Hawaii Island voters. To date, the PONC has provided the
necessary funding to purchase and protect over 4,000 -acres of the most significant natural and cultural
landscapes on Hawaii Island for future generations. The PONC funding has also been successful in
leveraging significant matching funds from federal, State, and private foundations.
The Hawaiian Islands Land Trust supports the current funding levels for the PONC fund as approved by
Hawaii's public to ensure that the most significant lands and resources on Hawaii Island will be preserved
for future generations.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
YX
Kawika K. Burgess
Chief Executive Officer
Hawaiian Islands Land Trust,126 Queen St. Suite 306, Honolulu, HI 96813 (808) 791-0729
www.hilt.org
Comm. No. 21.13