HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0035.04 - Testimony - CA-18 - PONC Maintenance fundFebruary 6, 2019
To: Douglass Adams, Chairperson, and Members of the Charter Commission
From: Rose Schilt
Re: In Support of CA -18, for Initial Approval; Proposal to Amend Section 10-16,
Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund.
I support strengthening the maintenance fund in light of the goal of funding the non-
profits who are caring for the 2% Land Fund properties. It has been stated by current
researchers that only 9% of all the money has been allocated to the community, since
these groups began receiving maintenance assistance for PONC lands in 2013.
Increasing the use of this fund to 70%, as proposed in CA -18, would be a boost to
preservation and the many long-term values offered by conservation. Opening the
fund to new uses would be especially valuable, with the practical access of trails or
paths, educational facilities' maintenance, sanitary facilities' leasing/renting, and the
application of some money as salaries/wages for people who make all the work
happen.
As a member of a Garden Board (below), currently applying for PONC Conservation -
designated assistance and eventually and hopefully, also for Maintenance Funds in
the future, I am very aware of the value of these funds to the well-being of the Big
Island. Supporting the Maintenance Fund in this way will also increase involvement
from communities, increase local and visitor access, and everyone's appreciation of
and participation in government.
Ultimately, more properties could be better -maintained and more matching funds
would be obtained for local and tourist industry benefit, ad improved stewardship will
result. Protected lands are fundamental to the economic, cultural, agricultural,
educational, recreational, youth development and tourism vitality of the island.
PONC and its Maintenance Fund are vital to assuring that Big Island remains unique,
planning for a sustainable and healthy 'aina for present and future generations.
Mahalo nui for this opportunity to testify.
Rose Schilt, Member, Board of Directors, Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden
808-366-6428
Comm. No. 35.4