Molokai property to be added to state legacy land
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The Maui News
Two properties on Oahu, one on Kauai, and one on Molokai are being added to the 2023 Department of Land and Natural Resources Legacy Land Conservation Program after the Board of Land and Natural Resources approved $6.35 million in grant awards from the Land Conservation Fund to acquire these properties.
County programs and private donations are expected to provide matching funds around $9 million, a news release said.
Among the properties include 515.75 acres in Makolelau, Molokai, which will be acquired by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife. The other acreage is being purchased by nonprofit organizations, such as the 116.49 and 59.27 acres on Oahu in Hookuaaina and Kauluakalana, respectively. The other is a 3.45-acres property in Kipuka Kuleana, Kauai.
"These grant awards are instrumental in our fulfillment of our resource protection mission," DLNR/BLNR Chairwoman Dawn Chang said. "They contribute to important private-public land conservation partnerships by ensuring protection and preservation of these significant ecosystems for watershed management, trails access, and protection from potential development."
The Legacy Land Conservation Program was established in 2005 to acquire lands of great resource value to the state, a news release said. The Legacy Land Conservation Commission reviews and recommends annual acquisition awards.
The LLCC is required by law to give priority to certain kinds of lands in its recommendations for acquisitions, such as lands that have "exceptional value" due to unique aesthetic resources, unique and valuable cultural or archaeological resources, or habitats for threatened or endangered species; lands in imminent danger of being modified, changed, or used in a manner to diminish value; lands that provide critical habitats for threatened or endangered species that are in imminent danger of being harmed or negatively impacted; lands containing cultural or archaeological sites or resources that are in danger of theft or destruction; or lands that are unique and productive agricultural lands.