We are fortunate to have so many beautiful places here in Hawaii with important natural, agricultural, scenic and cultural value. Ongoing development pressures make it essential that we proactively conserve the undeveloped places we value most.

Despite recent criticism of the state Legacy Land Conservation Fund, there have been successful conservation projects funded through this program. I live at Kuilima Estates East at Turtle Bay and love to hike along this ecologically significant shoreline.

As a public school teacher, I will lead more than 200 fourth- and fifth-graders there to participate in a dune restoration project funded by NOAA and the North Shore Community Land Trust.

This biological jewel was protected in 2015 forever, thanks in large part to the Legacy Land Conservation Fund. It is an important place for monk seal pupping, Hawaiian yellow-faced bees, waterbirds, shorebirds and seabirds. Laysan albatross are now nesting here, too. This would not be possible if these lands had been developed.

I encourage the state to take the steps needed to make this wonderful program even better.

Angela Huntemer

Kahuku

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