$500,000 Released for Līpoa Point Land Acquisition

Honolua Bay. Shaped over years of swell directed by Molokai. Photo: Carlos Rock

By Wendy Osher

The governor announced the release today of $500,000 in funds for land acquisition at Līpoa Point on Maui.

The funds will be used for “due diligence activities,” to support the land acquisition, “including title search, property appraisal, and boundary surveys.” In June of 2013, the governor signed a bill into law for the acquisition of land parcels at the location. The legislation was aimed at protecting the area from potential development. Today’s allocation was part of a larger $20 million funding release from the governor’s office for capital improvement projects administered by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources for facilities and natural resource protection.

“These capital improvement projects promote stewardship of Hawaii’s natural resources while investing in state infrastructure and facilities,” said Governor Neil Abercrombie in a press release.

“In addition to direct improvements to state parks and facilities, several of these priority projects focus on preservation and sustainability over the long-term, while stimulating our economy,” he said.

The largest appropriation in the amount of $7.5 million was designated for “lump sum park improvements” across the state. This is to improve infrastructure, support, compliance, and health and safety at various state parks.

Other “lump sum improvement” allocations were made in the amount of $4 million for Boating and Recreation Facilities, and $2.5 million for aging and deteriorating Forestry and Wildlife Facilities across the state.

The remaining funds included: $2 million for marine debris mitigation statewide; $1.5 million for construction of a boundary fence at the Manukā Natural Area Reserve on Hawaiʻi Island; $1 million for dredging at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor on Hawaiʻi Island; $500,000 for a plan update to state water projects; $500,000 for dam assessments, maintenance and remediation statewide; and $25,000 for a study of public parking at the Maunawili Trail on Oʻahu.