NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE OF THE HAWAI’I COUNTY PUBLIC ACCESS,
OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION
The County of Hawai’i Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) intends to amend the administrative rules that govern the process for reviewing suggestions from the community for lands considered to be worthy of preservation. The final two sentences of Rule 4(b) are proposed to be revised to increase the threshold for inclusion in the priority list from fifty (50) points to seventy (70) points. Pursuant to Hawai’i Revised Statutes §91-3, notice is given that the amended Administrative Rules will be available for public review and comment from February 6, 2026 to March 9, 2026
A Public Hearing to gather community input and testimony on the amended Administrative Rules will be held on March 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
West Hawai’i Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i 96740
PONC encourages citizens to participate in this public hearing to share their input on the topic.
The amended Administrative Rules may be viewed on the PONC website at www.openspace.hawaiicounty.gov or the PONC office on Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hilo: 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1002 Hilo, HI 96720 Ph: (808) 961-8439
Interested persons may request a copy of the draft rules to be mailed after paying the required fees and postage by sending a request to either address above.
Written comments for the proposed amendments to the Administrative Rules may be submitted to the above PONC office or e-mailed to PONC@hawaiicounty.gov no later than 12:00 p.m. on March 6, 2026. Comments submitted will be considered in the final amendments to the Administrative Rules.
Persons requiring special accommodations may contact the Property Management Division at 808-961-8439 and/or PONC@hawaiicounty.gov at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the hearings so arrangements may be made to accommodate them.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DIVISION
COUNTY OF HAWAI’I
By: Shannon Arquitola
Property Manager
Kimo Alameda, Mayor
County of Hawai’i
(WHT/HTH1519200 2/06/26)
