Committee forwards resolution authorizing Waimea Trails easement negotiations after community testimony

The Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions voted unanimously July 9 to forward resolution 546-24 to the full Hawaii County Council, authorizing the Director of Finance to negotiate acquisitions of lands and conservation easements to support the Waimea Trails and Greenways project.

Debbie Heckt, a public commenter who said she has worked on local trails for 19 years, asked the committee to approve use of the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund to create a continuous trail linking Waimea Town and Waimea Nature Park to the coast at Spencer Beach. “The path would be a safe route to schools for kids,” Heckt said, and she urged the committee to allow maintenance grants for the volunteer trails group that has stewarded sections for decades.

Clemson Lam, chair of the Waimea Trails and Greenways Committee, told the committee the vision is for a roughly 14-mile link that would generally follow the Waikoloa Stream and connect Church Row in central Waimea to the coastline and the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail System. Lam said federal grant money has been applied for and described the project as an alternative-transportation corridor that would reduce car trips, preserve riparian areas and extend recreational access to more residents.

James Eustace, a Waimea resident, said the trail could serve as an exemplar for setback and mitigation efforts in flood- and fire-prone areas and help preserve equitable access amid development along Kawaihi Road. Steven Kirkham, another resident volunteer, said the county’s 2% property-tax land set-aside is an appropriate funding source to help realize the long-term vision.

County staff reading the resolution said the county seeks to negotiate for multiple parcels identified by tax map keys in the Ahipoa of Laulamilo District of South Kohala and described the acquisition program as occurring in six major increments. The administration stated the county “seeks to acquire approximately 90 miles of trail easements” as part of the Kealaka–Waimea community project and said the acquisition is listed as priority No. 3 in the 2023 annual report of the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission.

Council member Evans, who introduced the resolution, and other members praised the volunteers’ long-term stewardship and the trail’s historic and cultural significance. Council members asked administration about estimated acquisition costs and negotiation strategy; staff said values will vary by parcel and over time, that several TMK owners have been contacted and expressed openness to discussions, and that some state grazing lands may soon transfer from DLNR to the Department of Agriculture, which would change the county’s negotiation counterpart.

Council member Galimba cautioned that the project is large and long-term — several council members described it as a multi-decade effort — and asked about an estimated price tag; administration said a definitive price is not available because values and approvals can change before negotiation.

The committee voted to forward the resolution to the full council with a favorable recommendation. Chair Hola Kagoro Inaba called for the ayes; the motion carried with nine ayes. The committee adjourned at 9:55 a.m.

What’s next: The full County Council will receive the resolution for consideration; staff told the committee the acquisitions would be negotiated over multiple increments if funding and agreements with landowners are secured.