(BIVN) – The Hawaiʻi County Charter Commission on Friday approved 2 proposed charter amendments dealing with PONC, the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. The commission submits an annual list to the mayor containing recommendations for land purchases using the 2% land fund.

The first, CA-9, Draft 3, proposed to amend Section 10-15 to provide that funds from the 2% fund be used to fund a staff position dedicated to administering the provisions of PONC.

The second, CA-18, Draft 2, proposed to amend Section 10-16, proposed to transfer administrative duties to the Department of Finance and add permissible uses of the fund.

Both proposed charter amendments were passed on 2nd and Final reading. Both votes to pass were unanimous with 9 ayes and 2 absent.

Before the votes, members of the public testified in support of the PONC process, including Debbie Hecht and Sammie Stanbro, two early supports of the effort.