HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0021.017 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fund1lawai`i Wi�c�li�e rune
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Celebrating 22 years of protecting
LIawai'i s native wildlife through research,
education and conservation.
To: County of Hawai'i Charter Commission (charter.commission@hawaiicounty.gov)
Cc: Mayor Harry Kim and Mayor's Office Staff
Re: Proposed changes to Hawai'i County Charter Section 10-15 related to the Public Access, Open
Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund (OPPOSED to Communication 21, yet in FULL
SUPPORT of Communication 7.6)
14 December 2018
Aloha County of Hawai'i Charter Commission members,
Hawai'i Wildlife Fund (HWF) is in full support of maintaining the Public Access, Open Space, and
Natural Resources Preservation Fund at it's current rate of 2% of the County's real property tax
income. It is in the best interest to the residents, visitors, natural and cultural resources of Hawai'i
County to protect and preserve as much land as possible, as guided by the PONC Commission and
with nominations / support from the community. This measure has been on the ballot and
supported by the majority of Hawai'i County residents on multiple occasions, and is not the fund that
should be used to "balance the budget" as is now proposed.
Hawai'i Island is home to thousands of native species living from the depths of coral -reef ecosystems
to the very top of Mauna Kea. Like many island ecosystems, a large percentage of the native wildlife
living in the Hawaiian archipelago are endemic to this region — or only found here. At the same time,
island ecosystems are much more vulnerable to the threats of invasive species and natural disasters,
and are consequently more at risk for extinction than their continental counterparts. The health and
wellness of the Hawai'i County residents is intimately linked to the health of the surrounding
environment. It behooves us to bolster programs such as the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural
Resources Preservation Fund and the accompanying Maintenance Fund (Section 10-16), that are
working to protect, conserve, and steward such wahi pang (sacred / special places).
Comm. No. 21.17
www. wi/c/hiawwii
In this era of increasing threats to our islands from climate change (sea -level rise, warming ocean
temperatures, more frequent storm events, heightened drought / flooding patterns), we need to
take action immediately to plan and protect our open spaces and natural resources. We should
prepare and support our island's public spaces, and we should not be reactive and instead steal from
the people of tomorrow to support the shortfalls in our budget today. HWF is opposed to
Communication 21 that seeks to decrease the amount of money allocated of the Preservation Fund (to
0.75%), adds language that leaves the Maintenance Fund in jeopardy to the administration of the
moment, and allows for the transfer / sales of properties acquired in the future.
In addition, we are in support of the amendment proposed in Communication 7.6 that allows for the
salary of a dedicated staff within the County's Department of Finance to manage both the Preservation
and Maintenance Funds (Section 10-15 and 10-16), and feel like this is a good compromise and win-
win for all involved. Hopefully, with such a position working only on acquiring and stewarding these
PONC lands, these programs will continue to be a model of success for other counties and
jurisdictions within our state (and Oceania) to follow suit.
Hawai'i Wildlife Fund (HWF) is a small nonprofit organization that has been working to conserve
native species in Hawai'i since 1996. During that time, we have been actively involved in research,
education, restoration and advocacy projects related to the protection of coastal and nearshore
ecosystems. We are currently finishing up a restoration project at one of the PONC sites within the
Ka'alaiki estuary at Kawa, thanks to the support of a small Maintenance Fund awarded in 2017. We
believe that the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund and the
Maintenance Fund should be protected NOW and into the future.
Mahalo for your time and consideration. Apologies that one of our team members was unable to
join you in person today but we are in Ka'u hosting a beach cleanup event with a student group from
Konawaena Middle School. I hope to join you in person for the Charter Commission meeting in
January to show our support for the Maintenance Fund.
Sincerely,
Megan R. Lamson, M.S.
President & Program Director
HWF - Hawai'i Island Program Director
megan@wildhawaii.org
(808) 217-5777
www.wi/a'/aw ii org