Report Title:
Ka`awaloa; Impact Assessment
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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
99 |
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TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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requesting an investigation of the impacts of increased public access on ka`awaloa and Kealakekua Bay, island of hawaii.
WHEREAS, Kealakekua Bay is one of the most significant historic and cultural places in Hawaii, and the Kealakekua Bay Historic District was listed on the National Register in 1973 in recognition of this historical significance; and
WHEREAS, Kealakekua was selected by the ali`i as one of the seven royal centers of Kona because of its marine resources in the bay and it agricultural resources in the Kona field system; and
WHEREAS, the royal center at Kealakekua consisted of the priestly compound at Napo`opo`o – Hikiau Heiau — and the chiefly compound at Ka`awaloa; and
WHEREAS, the archaeological sites from this royal center remain intact and their integrity has been preserved by limited modern development around the bay; and
WHEREAS, the month-long stay of Captain Cook at Kealakekua in 1779 is the basis for much of the knowledge about Hawaiian culture at the time of European contact, and this knowledge has been preserved in journals, drawings, and maps; and
WHEREAS, the archaeological sites and historic buildings reflect the long and diverse history of Kealakekua from pre-contact times to the present, including explorers, missionaries, shipping, ranching, farming; and
WHEREAS, the one hundred acre chiefly compound of Ka`awaloa includes Puhina o Lono Heiau, three unnamed heiaus, wells and springs, and numerous house sites; and
WHEREAS, many of the walls and house platforms reflect the kuleana, or land claims, during the Great Mahele of 1848-1850; and
WHEREAS, Ka`awaloa is accessible by a moderately difficult hike or by boat, and for many years the difficulties in reaching Ka`awaloa kept the number of visitors to this isolated area low, with minimal impact on the site; and
WHEREAS, in recent year, however, a growing interest in ecotourism and Hawaii's remote cultural sites has lead to increasing numbers of visitors coming to Ka`awaloa; and
WHEREAS, these archaeological sites are fragile, irreplaceable resources and subject to damage by uncontrolled visitation unless the sites are managed and monitored for impacts and visitors educated about impacts; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is requested to assess the impacts of visitors, such as hikers, fishermen, boaters, snorkelers, and others, on the significant resources of Ka`awaloa; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the assessment shall include an examination of the carrying capacity and levels of acceptable change:
(1) By means of a baseline study of existing conditions and the number of visitors currently using the Ka`awaloa area, including the numbers of snorkelers and divers at Ka`awaloa Cove;
(2) The potential impacts of increased use and visitation, and the determination of an acceptable level of use and visitation that will protect the land and marine resources; and
(3) Recommendations as to the management of the Ka`awaloa area through controlled access, the use of preferred trails that protect the sites, education and interpretation, guided tours, additional facilities such as restrooms, personnel needs, and other means as appropriate;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DLNR shall report on its findings and recommendations no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2002; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
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OFFERED BY: |
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