Report Title:

Open View Planes; North Kohala

THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

146

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

URGING THE RETENTION AND PRESERVATION OF OPEN SPACE AND VIEW PLANES, HISTORIC SITES, AND TRADITIONAL ACCESS ALONG THE COASTLINE OF THE NORTH KOHALA DISTRICT, HAWAII.

 

 

WHEREAS, lands makai of the Kawaihae-Mahukona-Hawi Road to Pololu Valley and beyond, including the pristine valleys from Pololu to Waipio and the northern coast of the North Kohala District, are in a relatively undeveloped state; and

WHEREAS, the area contains Lapakahi State Park, an ancient Hawaiian coastal settlement; Mookini Heiau State Monument, one of the islands most famous heiau; the birthplace of Kamehameha, and numerous other historical sites; and

WHEREAS, the ethnically diverse character of this district embraces as well the history and artifacts of the missionary, paniolo, and plantation eras, which contributes to its significance; and

WHEREAS, the beautiful rural and agricultural Kohala area is one of the few remaining places where the quality and character of our small rural communities has been maintained, encouraging and nurturing the tradition of cultural continuity; and

WHEREAS, in 1988, the State Legislature recognized the importance of preserving this area by passing S.C.R. No. 179, H.D. 1, which urged the State and County governments to work together to preserve the public view and open space makai of the Kawaihae-Mahukona-Hawi Road and further called for collaboration to discourage subdivision and building development; and

WHEREAS, at that time, a petition circulated on the island of Hawaii calling for the halt of all development along the North Kohala coastline until "a thorough study of the scenic, historic, recreational and biological values" of the coast can be studied was signed by 5,650 people —- 1,030 of them residents of North Kohala; and

WHEREAS, in 1989, the Planning Committee of the County Council passed a resolution calling for the preservation of the North Kohala coastline; and

WHEREAS, despite these actions, development in the area has continued and the region faces increasing pressure for more subdivision and other development; and

WHEREAS, in October, 2000, community members collected well over six hundred signatures and submitted them as part of the community response to the Update of the Hawaii County Comprehensive Plan, urging the preservation and protection of the region from Kawaihae to Pololu Valley; and

WHEREAS, in January 2001, community organizations again voiced their concerns at a Na Ala Hele meeting, and strongly supported the recommendation to remove Pololu Valley from commercial activity; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, the House of Representatives concurring, that the State and County of Hawaii are again urged to work collaboratively with the community and residents of Kohala to develop and implement a plan to protect the open nature of the Kohala coast, preserve its valuable historic sites, and provide greater awareness and appreciation of the history and cultural significance of the area for residents and visitors alike; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be sent to the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, Hawaii County Council, Hawaii County Planning Department, State Land Use Commission, Office of Planning, and Kohala Historic and Cultural Preservation Group.