KEALAKEHE, Hawaii – On Tuesday, the Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee voted to accept the 2013 Report to the Mayor, produced by the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission.

The report prioritizes a list of private land parcels that could be purchased by the county using the 2% land fund and preserved for public open space.

2013 PONC report map showing priority land parcels

The resolution gave the council members a chance to discuss the list, compiled by the commission after months of public input and discussion. The full list is as follows:

1. Vacationland Land Trust/Hara Property

2. Niuli‘i

3. Hapu‘u to Kapanai‘a Cultural Corridor

4. Puapua‘a

5. Māhukona

6. Honoli‘i Beach

7. Lamaloloa

8. Banyan Trees Park Area, Hāwī Town Center

9. Kukuipahu-Hā‘ena Corridor

10. White Sands Mauka

11. Keawenui Easement

12. HCC Farms, LLC

13. Lands adjacent to Ahalanui Park

14. Grassman Macadamia Nut Farm

15. Manini Beach Park Project

During the discussion, Kona councilwoman Karen Eoff took the chance to talk about a recent open space success; the purchase of the O’oma shoreline property in Kona.

The county is currently inviting the public to propose properties that should be purchased and preserved for open space. Forms to suggest properties can be downloaded from the County website. Suggestion forms are due by June 30, 2014, and may be included in this year’s annual prioritized list and report to the Mayor.

2013 PONC report cover