Hawaii County committee closes file on proposal to form ad hoc to review PONC process

The Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs voted to close file on Communication 304, a request from Council member Michelle Galimba to form an ad hoc review of the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) process. The committee approved the motion with nine ayes; one member was recorded as excused.

Galimba introduced the communication, saying she sought to “explore” ways the PONC acquisition and prioritization process might work better and to meet with stakeholders including current and former PONC members, land stewards and property owners. She told the committee she did not intend for the council to take over property ranking: “I’m not planning to advocate that we become involved in the ranking,” she said, adding that the goal is to consider improvements to the process that would keep decision making with the PONC commission.

The request drew questions about scope and…