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From: Bryan Honore <brn@mailup.net> <br />Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2019 11:01 AM <br />To: Charter Commission <br />Subject: STRENGTHEN THE LAND FUND <br />Aloha Charter Commission members! <br />I SUPPORT STRENGTHENING THE 2% LAND FUND PROGRAM! It is a VERY GOOD IDEA .. if you get behind <br />it you can be a hero to the people and FEEL GOOD about your public position serving the interests of the <br />people, instead of a nemesis. <br />I support using a portion of the 2% Land Fund monies to pay a staff person who is dedicated to the <br />administration of the 2% Land Fund Program. We believe that this would result in more properties being <br />acquired, more matching funds being obtained and more stewardship grants being awarded. Citizens have <br />proposed 180 properties, since 2004 and only 14 have been acquired. We can change this and strengthen <br />the 2% Land Fund Program by having a dedicated staff member who works ONLY on the 2% Land Fund <br />Program. <br />The 2% Land Fund Program has been very successful. In the last 14 years, 4,400 have been acquired on <br />the Big Island for a cost of $27 million, one third of which was from matching funds. There is one more <br />property that should close soon in Ka'u, which is 2,200 acres. The land fund is working to preserve Hawaii <br />Island's treasured lands, but we can make it more successful by having a dedicated staff member. In <br />addition we must retain the following clause to obtain matching funds and protects these lands in <br />perpetuity that says: "This property (or easement) was acquired with money from the Public Access, Open <br />Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. It shall be held in perpetuity for the use and enjoyment <br />of the people of Hawai'i County and may not be sold, mortgaged, traded or transferred in any way." <br />WITH KIND REGARDS, <br />Bryan Honore' - Kalapana <br />Mahalo for your kokua to save Hawaii Island's treasured places. <br />1 <br />Comm. No. 24.95 <br />