Committee forwards resolution to let finance director negotiate purchases from PONC 2024 prioritized list

The Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee on Wednesday forwarded Resolution 120-25 to the full Hawaii County Council with a favorable recommendation, authorizing the director of finance to enter negotiations for acquisition of lands or conservation easements identified in the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission(PONC) 2024 prioritized list.

Resolution 120-25, introduced by Councilmember Inaba, directs the finance department to use the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund to initiate negotiations for any or all of the 10 properties identified in PONC's 2024 annual report. The committee vote was recorded as 6 in favor and 3 opposed; the resolution will move to the full council.

The measure's backers said it is intended to streamline a lengthy, sometimes time-sensitive acquisition process. Councilmember Inaba told colleagues that, after meeting with finance and corporation counsel, the resolution would remove repetitive formalities while preserving the commission's prioritization: "The intent moving forward is to streamline what technically is a formality to grant the powers to finance director to go and negotiate these acquisitions," Inaba said.

Community groups and stewards who nominated properties to PONC testified in support. Alex Kalipolo, president of Mokouakea County Land Conservancy, said the resolution would speed county support for land trusts and listed two projects his group supports. Gail Byrne Baber of Kohala, who said she and her husband own the Nani Kaihoku Farm, urged support for the Op'o'o Point acquisition and the Nani Kaihoku agricultural easement, telling the committee the coastal lands "have been traditionally used by folks in Kohala for fishing, gathering limu, camping, walking, whale watching." Annie Bruch, vice president of Hawaii Farmers Union, cited the easement's requirement for continuous food production to support local food security.

Committee members split over whether the council should retain an item-by-item hearing. Councilmember Kaguewata said she was concerned the resolution "basically takes some of the decision-making ability away from the council and gives it to this administration," and asked corporation counsel to weigh in. Renee Shaw of corporation counsel said the measure tracks County Code section 2-218, noting the commission already provides a prioritized list to the mayor's office and that the council historically selects land by resolution.

Other members defended the change as efficiency rather than abdication. Councilmember Nabah said the resolution "does not guarantee that these properties are going to be acquired by the county overnight," but allows finance staff to begin negotiations; he added acquisitions may take months or years depending on willing sellers. Supporters asked the finance department to prioritize the list when possible; Deputy Finance Director Malia Kikai said the administration typically begins at the top of the PONC list but must weigh availability, matching funds and stewardship capacity.

Members raised several concerns and requests: a handful of commissioners and some council members asked for a map showing the location and concentration of PONC nominations, and at least one member asked for a status report on properties the finance department has been authorized to negotiate. Deputy Director Kikai agreed to provide a status list before the committee's next hearing.

The committee also discussed specific entries on the 2024 list. Kagueta pointed to the Colocco Residential Park (priority number 10) and noted the PONC score listed in the report was 51 percent and that the parcel is about 50 acres; Kikai said the low score reflected the property's largely barren lava field but noted native plants that could be protected. Committee members urged the administration to consult the commission and local stewards as negotiations proceed.

Votes at this stage are procedural: the committee's favorable recommendation allows the measure to advance to the full council where final adoption would be required before purchases or easements proceed. The resolution does not itself appropriate funds or complete any purchase.

The committee's discussion illustrated a recurring tension between speeding acquisitions and holding public, item-by-item council hearings; supporters said streamlining saves staff and public time, while opponents said the council's public hearings provide an extra level of review and attention to stewardship funding needs.

Looking ahead, the finance department said it will continue to weigh PONC priorities, willing sellers, matching funds and stewardship capacity when choosing which nominations to pursue and will report status updates to the council as requested.