The Hawaii County Council  is considering use of the 2% funds set aside for Open Space to meet budget shortfalls.

From Debbie Hecht, Campaign Coordinator for 2% for the Land Fund on the Big Island:

2% for the Land fund was a hard won victory for preserving Hawaii County’s treasured places. In 2006, the Save our Lands Citizen committee was formed to run a Petition Initiative drive to set aside 2% of Hawaii County property taxes for Open Space.  In four months, over 200 volunteers collected almost 10,000 signatures. The County Council had to approve this measure to be placed on the ballot after more than 6,000 signatures were disqualified.  At the polls, 63% of voters who voted on this measure voted YES!  A clear mandate that voters in Hawaii County want their treasured lands preserved.

We need a reliable funding source to attract Federal and State matching funds to help acquire properties.

This economic downturn is the time to maximize the $3.5 to $4 million dollars to best advantage. Land values have fallen up to 44.45% (WHT- MLS statistic). Now is the time to buy.  The county can float an Open Space Bond and use the 2% funds to pay the payments to buy land at no additional cost to the County or taxpayers. Our treasured lands can be set aside to enjoy forever.

Full disclosure is needed! How much has been deposited in the Land Fund account since December 2006? When was it deposited?  How much interest has been earned?  How much has been spent and on what properties?  Could this information available to the public in a twice yearly accounting?

Please email the Hawaii Island County Council and Mayor and ask them to leave the 2% fund alone AND to publicly disclose how the 2% money has been spent.

Easy email addresses for cut and paste: dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us, dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us,  jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us, donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us, enaeole@co.hawaii.hi.us,  genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us, bford@co.hawaii.hi.us, kgreenwell@co.hawaii.hi.us, phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us, cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us

Contact: Debbie Hecht
P.O. Box 4148
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745
808-989-3222