On April 26th the final decision was made by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to approve a $2.2 million grant to Ke Ao Hāli’i for the acquisition of parcel TMK# (2) 1-4-10-04 in Mokae. The 27 acres of purchased land will be protected by a conservation easement held by the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust. Mahalo to the Board of Land & Natural Resources, and Hawaiian Islands Land Trust for supporting our efforts! (See the article on Maui News)
We are also very grateful for the support of Mayor Michael Victorino, who has proposed in his FY2020 budget a line item in the Open Space fund of $750,000 as a grant to Ke Ao Hāli’i as matching funds for the purchase of the Mokae parcel, as well as $1,500,000 toward the purchase of Maka’alae lands. While the council is working on finalizing the budget, our council member Shane Sinenci has been instrumental in keeping these funds included, and as of this date, the proposed funding is still in the budget with good support from the council. Look for an update and final approval by the end of June.