In preparation of its Annual Report to the Mayor, the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) recommends lands worthy of preservation by reviewing, conducting site visits, and fact finding nominated properties or easements via the Suggestion Forms. In addition, the PONC has been tasked with submitting its recommendation to the Department of Finance stewardship grant applications submitted by qualifying non-profits who are interested in maintaining lands or easements acquired with monies from the Fund.  

Note about the pictures. Kalo, known as Taro needs water to grow, whether in wetland or dryland systems. Kalo is the most significant plant in Hawaiian culture, not only as the most important staple, but is tied to the creation chants of the Hawaiian people. Its believed that about a handful of kalo cultivars brought it to the islands. The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is one of the most endangered seal species in the world. The population overall had been declining for six decades and current numbers, though increasing, are only about one-third of historic population levels. Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and State of Hawai'i law. 

The AGENDA for this meeting is hereby posted.  

Click on this hyper-link to access the form: Suggestion Form Due Jan. 31, 2023 by Noon (new deadline). The 2024 Stewardship Grant Application and Instruction will be available around May 1, 2023. 

To access information regarding the Commission or the Preservation Program, please click here: Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Program.

Written Testimony:  The Commission encourages the public to submit thoughts, comments, and input via written testimony. To ensure timely delivery to its members prior to the meeting testimonies must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon on Thursday, November 10, 2022, by (1) email to ponctestimony@hawaiicounty.gov, (2) facsimile to (808) 961-8248; or (3) mail to the PONC Commission in Hilo at 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1101, Hilo, Hawai‘i, 96720. Please submit separate testimony for each item.

VACANCIES: Beginning January 1, 2023, a vacancy in District 4. If interested, please apply here: Boards and Commission Application