A fledgling city program credited with saving rural land on O'ahu from development is looking for more parcels to protect as it moves forward with its second round of funding.

The Clean Water and Natural Lands Commission set a Sept. 30 deadline to apply for grant money to protect land on O'ahu. The 2-year-old commission last month awarded $3.1 million to four projects in an initial round of grants, including one that saved a North Shore ranch from a proposed gentleman's farm housing subdivision.

The commission analyzes proposals and makes funding recommendations to the City Council. Eligible projects include efforts to protect watershed lands, historical or culturally significant sites, forests, beaches, coastal areas and agriculture lands by purchasing property or easements that restrict use.

Besides the North Shore ranch, the other projects that received funding were:

• The purchase of 512 acres of former pineapple fields in Wahiawa surrounding the sacred native Hawaiian birthing stones at Kukaniloko;

• Acquisition of 3,579 acres on the eastern slope of the Wai'anae Range from Makakilo to Kunia known as the Honouliuli Preserve; and

• Ensuring 108 acres in Kunia owned in part by the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center stays in agriculture through a protective easement.

The fund was established by voters in 2006 through a city Charter amendment that dedicates a half-percent of O'ahu property tax revenue to land preservation. A nine-person commission was formed last year to solicit and review proposals from nonprofits and government agencies.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann, however, has expressed dissatisfaction with the City Council making the final selection of projects to fund, suggesting in a March letter to the council that the executive branch should have that role. Hannemann retains authority to release money from the fund.