Committee of Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Meeting – April 21, 2026

The Committee of Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions (24th session) convened on April 21, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center, with members participating remotely from Hilo and Kona. The primary agenda item was Resolution 516-26, authorizing the Director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of lands or conservation easements for approximately 1,967.96 acres at Kumukahi in the District of Puna, utilizing the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation (PONC) Fund. The committee heard public testimony, deliberated, and voted to forward the resolution to the full council with a favorable recommendation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Greg Owen testified in support of Resolution 516-26, representing himself and Wawa Communications Louis. He urged the county to acquire Kumukahi and turn control over to ancestral families, emphasizing the area's sacred status and need for protection from over-tourism. He cited personal experience living in Hawaii for 70 years and noted the presence of a state temple (Luakineheyao) dedicated to navigation, warfare, and human sacrifice.
• Kali of Prince testified in full support of the resolution, advocating for stewardship by ‘ohana and lineal descendants, specifically Uncle Kyoni Kalave and the Kumo Foundation. She urged the council to seek meaningful collaboration with lineal descendants and communities.
• Susie Osborne (co-founder of Ho‘oululāhui, a 30-year nonprofit) testified in full support, detailing her organization's capacity to lead stewardship (over $20 million in grants managed, experience with coastal land management). She noted that two board members are lineal descendants who have endured burial desecrations, and that Ho‘oululāhui will partner with the Kuomo‘o Legacy Foundation.
• Diga Kern testified in support, emphasizing the significance of the 2,000-acre acquisition and the alignment of diverse landowners. He urged committee members to read the PONC suggestion form for Kumukahi and highlighted regenerative tourism models from Bhutan, Palau, and Aotearoa, as well as local examples like Hā‘ena on Kaua‘i.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 516-26 Overview: Introduced by Councilmember Kirkowitz, the resolution authorizes negotiations to acquire approximately 1,967.96 acres (listed as priority #3 in the 2025 PONC Commission report). All property owners are reportedly on board to sell or enter conservation easements.
• Process Clarification: Councilmember Viegas asked whether individual resolutions are still required after the bulk resolution passed in 2024. Ben Shapiro (PONC program manager) and Jean Campbell (Deputy Corporation Counsel) clarified that the 2024 bulk resolution did not include Kumukahi (it originated from the 2025 report). A resolution is required for any acquisition; individual or bulk resolutions are both permissible. The committee confirmed that passing this resolution is necessary to proceed with appraisal and due diligence.
• Councilmember Statements:
  • Vice Chair O’Neshi expressed strong support, calling the proposal an example of what PONC was intended for.
  • Councilmember Kagiwata supported and thanked testifiers.
  • Councilmember Kleinfelder (Kona) praised the work for preserving the parcels both environmentally and culturally.
  • Councilmember Viegas expressed deep support, noting the cultural significance of Kumukahi as the first point touched by the rising sun, and thanked staff for clarifying the process.

Key Outcomes

• Motion: Councilmember Kirkowitz moved to afford Resolution 516-26 to the full council with a favorable recommendation. Seconded by Mr. Hustis.
• Vote: The committee voted 8 ayes, 0 nays, with 1 excused (Chair Inaba). The motion carried.
• Next Steps: The resolution will now proceed to the full Hawaii County Council for further consideration and authorization of negotiations.