HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0021.037 - Testimony - CA-7 - PONC fund and Maintenance fundFrom: billgail@retiredinparadise.net
Sent: Sunday, January 6, 2019 9:43 PM
To: Charter Commission
Subject: STRENGTHEN THE LAND FUND
Aloha Charter Commission members!
NO NO NO to Communication 21 for Charter Amendment 7: To GUT the 2% LAND FUND PROGRAM
YES to Communication 24 for Charter Amendment 9: Proposal to strengthen the 2% Land Fund Program by using 2%
Land Fund monies to fund a staff position
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."
We voted for the Land Fund THREE TIMES. It is so important we save our treasured lands and not let developers take
over as on Oahu and Maui.
Mahalo for your kokua to save Hawaii Island's treasured places.
Hawaii homeowners since 1999, residents since 2002, Gail Jackson William Simonsma
68-1907 Lina Poepoe St
Waikoloa, HI 96738
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Comm. No. 21.37