County Seeking Proposals to Preserve Properties

Is there a special property that you really love on the Big Island and think should be permanently preserved?

Pohoiki Boat Ramp

The County of Hawai‘i Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC), encourages the public to propose properties that should be purchased.

Property suggestions forms can be downloaded from the County of Hawai‘i website or obtained in person (see address below).

Suggestion forms are due by 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2018.

Commissioners review the suggestion forms submitted by the public, and consider the significant factors of each property such as historic and culturally important features: opportunities for outdoor recreation and education; public access to beaches or mountains; preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas, and natural beauty; protection of natural resources and watershed lands; potential partners for management and the general benefits to the public.

Potential acquisitions are then prioritized and listed in a report that is sent to the mayor at the end of each year. The mayor then forwards his recommendations to the Hawai‘i County Council, which adopts resolutions to authorize property purchases.

For more information on the process, go to Hawai’i County Charter 10-15, 10-16, and Code, Article 42.

Past open space purchases total 1,287 acres, and include Kāwā oceanfront parcels in Ka‘ū; Kaiholena, Pa‘o‘o and Hāwī Banyan Trees property in North Kohala; Kīpapa Park, White Sands Mauka and ‘O‘oma in North Kona; property near Waipi‘o Lookout in Hāmākua; and the newly acquired Pohoiki Bay parcel in Puna.

PONC funds are derived from 2% of Hawai‘i County’s annual real property tax revenues. The county has also been able to obtain more than $7.5 million in matching funds and donations from other sources to help purchase open space properties. A Maintenance Fund has also been established to provide stewardship assistance to community organizations to maintain properties that are acquired with PONC funds.

The nine PONC commissioners represent each of the nine County Council districts on Hawai‘i Island. To find out the commissioner for your district, go to PONC Commission Fact Sheet. The commission meets every other month at the Hilo County Building or the West Hawai’i Civic Center, and public testimony is welcome.

For further information, contact Maxine Cutler of the County of Hawai‘i Property Management Division, 25 Aupuni St., Ste. 1101, Hilo, HI 96720, call (808) 961-8069 or visit the county website.