GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $1 MILLION TO PRESERVE HONU`APO ESTUARY ALONG KA`U COAST ON THE BIG ISLAND

For Immediate Release:  February 23, 2006

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $1,000,000 in state funds as part of a partnership, facilitated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and The Trust for Public Land (TPL), to purchase and preserve the historic and scenic Honu`apo Estuary and coastal area along the Ka`u coast of Hawai`i.

“We are excited to support this collaborative conservation effort to protect Honu`apo Estuary on the Ka`u coast of Hawai`i from development,” said Governor Lingle.  “This is the sort of public-private partnerships we need to focus on in order to protect the things that make Hawai`i special.”

“DLNR has played an active role in expediting the acquisition of Honu`apo Estuary for its future preservation and benefit to our state,” said Director of DLNR Peter Young.  “We are happy to see this become a reality and grateful for the support of Governor Lingle and all other parties involved in this joint effort.”

The funds will be used to acquire private lands that had been slated for coastal development, but will now be set aside for the County of Hawai`i for wildlife preservation, cultural site protection, and public recreation purposes.  The 225-acre parcel includes the largest tidal estuary and historic fishpond along the Ka`u coast and will become the state’s largest county park.  Acquisition of the parcel and the subsequent set-aside will allow for the expansion of the existing Whittington Beach Park and preservation of the popular fishing and coastal area in its natural state.

“The release of this funding clears the way for one of the most remarkable community-based conservation efforts we’ve ever been a part of,” stated Josh Stanbro, project manager for The Trust for Public Land’s Hawai`i Program. “Ka`u is a proud community that worked hard over the past year with TPL, their elected representatives and with each other to make something positive happen at this beloved coastal site.”
 
The fair market value of the property is $3,675,000, as recently determined by a state appraisal. The $1 million released in state funds, when combined with $500,000 in County of Hawai`i funds, provides a crucial required match for a $1,464,735 federal grant from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Conservation and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP).

In addition to state, county and federal funds, the County of Hawai`i secured a $267,632 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the non-profit TPL secured private and community contributions totaling $267,633.

“Honu`apo is a place where community values live on from generation to generation and children learn to fish, swim, and build strong family ties,” said John Replogle, president of Ka `Ohana o Honu`apo.  “Everyone has pitched in to save this land because no one wants to see that chain broken.”  Ka `Ohana o Honu`apo is a new non-profit group that was formed with TPL’s assistance to help the County maintain the land after the set-aside is complete. 

TPL anticipates that the land will be permanently protected and placed in County hands by the end of March.

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For more information, contact:
Peter Young  
Director, DLNR  
Phone: (808) 587-0401

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang 
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043