HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0024.095 - Testimony - CA-9 - staff for PONC fund and Maintenance fundFrom: Bryan Honore <brn@mailup.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2019 11:01 AM
To: Charter Commission
Subject: STRENGTHEN THE LAND FUND
Aloha Charter Commission members!
I SUPPORT STRENGTHENING THE 2% LAND FUND PROGRAM! It is a VERY GOOD IDEA .. if you get behind
it you can be a hero to the people and FEEL GOOD about your public position serving the interests of the
people, instead of a nemesis.
I 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."
WITH KIND REGARDS,
Bryan Honore' - Kalapana
Mahalo for your kokua to save Hawaii Island's treasured places.
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Comm. No. 24.95