HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0024.025 - Testimony - CA-9 - staff for PONC fund and Maintenance fund
Aloha Charter Commission members!
We SUPPORT STRENGTHENING THE 2% LAND FUND PROGRAM! WE support using a
portion of the 2% Land Fund monies to pay a staff person who is dedicated to the
administration of the 2% Land Fund Program. We believe that this would result in more
properties being acquired, more matching funds being obtained and more stewardship
grants being awarded. Citizens have proposed 180 properties, since 2004 and only 14
have been acquired. We can change this and strengthen the 2% Land Fund Program by
having a dedicated staff member who works ONLY on the 2% Land Fund Program.
The 2% Land Fund Program has been very successful. In the last 14 years, 4,400 have
been acquired on the Big Island for a cost of $27 million, one third of which was from
matching funds. There is one more property that should close soon in Ka’u, which is
2,200 acres. The land fund is working to preserve Hawaii Island's treasured lands, but
we can make it more successful by having a dedicated staff member. In addition we
must retain the following clause to obtain matching funds and protects these lands in
perpetuity that says: “This property (or easement) was acquired with money from the
Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. It shall be held in
perpetuity for the use and enjoyment of the people of Hawai’i County and may not be
sold, mortgaged, traded or transferred in any way.”
The mayor and all reps should not be able to change what the body of the people have voted to protect.
Please save us from them
Mahalo for your kokua to save Hawaii Island’s treasured places.
Dan Dolaptchieff
I electronically sign this
Jan 3 2019 8 06 am
Puna dist
Sealand farms llc
Voter puna district