Land trust, Kealoha family seek PONC funds for loʻi conservation easement

Dane Kealoha, director of ʻĀina Transactions for Hawaii Land Trust (HILT), and Dawn Kealoha, a fourth-generation family steward, testified in support of Resolution 513-26 on April 22, 2026, which would authorize the director of finance to negotiate a conservation easement funded by PONC on the Kealoha family loʻi property.

Kealoha (Dane) said the nonprofit would act as a technical partner and administrative co-holder of the easement, which ‘‘relieves the county of the burden of perpetual monitoring and enforcement of the CE,” and noted that USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service matching funds have been awarded to leverage PONC dollars. He said the parcel received a 91% PONC score and that the easement will protect traditional loʻi kalo agriculture and support cultural and educational uses for future generations.

Dawn Kealoha described multi-generational stewardship dating to 1914 and said the protected loʻi provides food, supports hands-on cultural education and demonstrates water stewardship that benefits adjacent Waikane and Neoli streams. She asked the council to support funding and legal protections so the family and community can continue restoration and educational work.

No formal vote on Resolution 513-26 is recorded in the provided transcript segments; supporters urged the council to act to preserve agriculture, cultural practice and watershed values.

Next steps: testimony urged council approval and cooperation with NRCS grant conditions; details about matching funds and formal contract terms would be handled during negotiations.