01-19-2009, 04:33 AM
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The Hawaii County Council may raid the 2% funds set aside for Open Space to meet budget shortfalls. This is a betrayal of voters trust! Please email the Council and Mayor and ask them to leave the 2% fund alone.
2% for the Land fund was a hard won victory for preserving Hawaii County's treasured places. In 2006, the Save our Lands Citizen committee was formed to run a Petition Initiative drive to set aside 2% of Hawaii County property taxes for Open Space. In four months, over 200 volunteers collected almost 10,000 signatures. The County Council had to approve this measure to be placed on the ballot after more than 6,000 signatures were disqualified. At the polls, 57% of voters voted YES! A clear mandate that Hawaii County citizens want their treasured lands preserved. We need a reliable funding source to attract Federal and State matching funds to help acquire these properties.
The Hawaii County Council has approved 11 Resolutions, instructing the Director of Finance to acquire: Puapua'a Historic site (12+ acres north of Casa de Emdeko- Ali'i Drive, Kona), Waipio Lookout (acquired), Honoli'I (acquired), Cape Kumukahi, Ocean Park, Honolulu Landing, Wai'ele, Kawa'a Bay (partially acquired), Punalu'u Beach Park, Pao'o and Kaiholena.
This economic downturn is the time to maximize the $3.5 to $4 million dollars to best advantage. Land values have fallen up to 44.45% (WHT- MLS statistic). Now is the time to buy! The county can float an Open Space Bond and use the 2% funds to pay the payments to buy land at no additional cost to the County or taxpayers. More information on Bonds: http://www.dhecht.com/wp-admin/page.php?action=edit&post=13. Our treasured lands can be set aside to enjoy forever.
How much has been deposited in the Land Fund account since December 2006? When was it deposited? How much interest has been earned? How much has been spent and on what properties? Could this information available to the public in a twice yearly accounting?
Currently there are at least 2 properties listed for sale: Kiholena in Kohala and the Puapua'a property in Kona. Why are properties with willing sellers not being pursued for acquisition? The Finance Department is in the middle of negotiations for Kawa Bay, with matching funds already committed. What will happen to this purchase?
Email the County council and the Mayor at:
<dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us>, <donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us>, <enaeole@co.hawaii.hi.us>, <jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Billy Kenoi" <cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Brenda Ford" <bford@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Council testimony" <counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Dominc Yagong" <dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Greenwell, Kelly" <kgreenwell@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Guy Enriques" <genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Pete Hoffman" <phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us>.
The time is now! We need to save Hawaii's treasured lands for our children and grandchildren, before they are lost forever.
The Hawaii County Council may raid the 2% funds set aside for Open Space to meet budget shortfalls. This is a betrayal of voters trust! Please email the Council and Mayor and ask them to leave the 2% fund alone.
2% for the Land fund was a hard won victory for preserving Hawaii County's treasured places. In 2006, the Save our Lands Citizen committee was formed to run a Petition Initiative drive to set aside 2% of Hawaii County property taxes for Open Space. In four months, over 200 volunteers collected almost 10,000 signatures. The County Council had to approve this measure to be placed on the ballot after more than 6,000 signatures were disqualified. At the polls, 57% of voters voted YES! A clear mandate that Hawaii County citizens want their treasured lands preserved. We need a reliable funding source to attract Federal and State matching funds to help acquire these properties.
The Hawaii County Council has approved 11 Resolutions, instructing the Director of Finance to acquire: Puapua'a Historic site (12+ acres north of Casa de Emdeko- Ali'i Drive, Kona), Waipio Lookout (acquired), Honoli'I (acquired), Cape Kumukahi, Ocean Park, Honolulu Landing, Wai'ele, Kawa'a Bay (partially acquired), Punalu'u Beach Park, Pao'o and Kaiholena.
This economic downturn is the time to maximize the $3.5 to $4 million dollars to best advantage. Land values have fallen up to 44.45% (WHT- MLS statistic). Now is the time to buy! The county can float an Open Space Bond and use the 2% funds to pay the payments to buy land at no additional cost to the County or taxpayers. More information on Bonds: http://www.dhecht.com/wp-admin/page.php?action=edit&post=13. Our treasured lands can be set aside to enjoy forever.
How much has been deposited in the Land Fund account since December 2006? When was it deposited? How much interest has been earned? How much has been spent and on what properties? Could this information available to the public in a twice yearly accounting?
Currently there are at least 2 properties listed for sale: Kiholena in Kohala and the Puapua'a property in Kona. Why are properties with willing sellers not being pursued for acquisition? The Finance Department is in the middle of negotiations for Kawa Bay, with matching funds already committed. What will happen to this purchase?
Email the County council and the Mayor at:
<dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us>, <donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us>, <enaeole@co.hawaii.hi.us>, <jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Billy Kenoi" <cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Brenda Ford" <bford@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Council testimony" <counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Dominc Yagong" <dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Greenwell, Kelly" <kgreenwell@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Guy Enriques" <genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us>, "Pete Hoffman" <phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us>.
The time is now! We need to save Hawaii's treasured lands for our children and grandchildren, before they are lost forever.
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