Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Acquisition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hawaii County Council authorizes negotiations for 10 PONC properties after amendment fails
Summary
The council approved Resolution 120-25 to authorize the finance director to begin negotiations to acquire or place conservation easements on properties on the PONC 2024 prioritized list; a proposed amendment to limit automatic negotiation to properties scoring 70%+ failed.
The Hawaii County Council voted May 7 to authorize the director of finance to negotiate acquisitions or conservation easements for the 10 properties on the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission(PONC) 2024 priority list.
Supporters framed the measure as a way to expedite opportunities to preserve culturally and environmentally important parcels. Deputy Finance Director Malia Kikai told the council that the list includes a mix of properties: three are already in active negotiations (Anaeho'omalu conservation easement, Keakealani and Kauai Nui Makai), while others remain "open" pending prioritization and further review by administration staff.
Council member Heather Kimball proposed an amendment that would automatically forward only PONC properties that received a 70% or greater score for negotiation. "Only those that received a 70% or greater from the PONC will automatically be moved forward for negotiation," Kimball said, arguing a cutoff would respect the commission's deliberations and reduce Council workload. Supporters said the threshold mirrored other county grant cutoffs; opponents said it risked removing viable properties and altering a long-standing process.
The amendment failed on roll call (4 in favor, 5 opposed). Debate then returned to broader questions about process and capacity: several members urged a future review of PONC procedures and a possible permitted-interaction or ad hoc group to recommend changes; Deputy Finance Director Kikai and Diane Nakagawa said staff capacity for appraisals and negotiations is stretched but ongoing work continues.
On the final roll call the main motion passed: the council approved Resolution 120-25 to authorize the finance director to initiate negotiations for the 2024 PONC properties. The vote was 6 ayes, 3 no.
Next steps: the resolution authorizes the administration to pursue appraisals and negotiations; any purchase would return to the administration and mayor for further approvals before final acquisition.
