HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

5

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING the office of planning to ESTABLISH A south kona-KA'U coastal conservation partnership.

 

 

WHEREAS, the Legislature is concerned about the intrusion of urban activities and development into, until now, the pristine coastal wilderness areas in south Kona and Ka'u on the island of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, this increasing intrusion into what was once pristine land and ocean areas is having a destructive impact on natural resources, native plants, and land and aquatic animals and their habitats such as nesting areas for endangered green and hawksbill sea turtles; and

WHEREAS, valuable native Hawaiian resources, including heiau, slides, and other archaeological evidence of ancient Hawaiian habitation of the area, including the area believed to be the original landfall for native Hawaiians coming from the South Pacific, are endangered; and

WHEREAS, the 2003 Legislature created the South Kona Wilderness Area to address these issues; and

WHEREAS, a large portion of the Ka'u district is in zone 1 or 2 of the lava flow hazard zone maps prepared by the United States Geological Survey, displaying the most dangerous zones facing lava flow hazards; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that it is imperative that these remaining treasures be protected and preserved; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, that the Office of Planning is requested to establish a South Kona-Ka'u Coastal Conservation Partnership (Partnership) to review and analyze the impact being made on the fragile and historically essential coastal lands and near shore marine areas of South Kona and Ka'u; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in identifying issues and solutions, the Partnership:

(1) Identify those coastal lands and near shore marine areas that should be targeted for protection because of their ecological, cultural, recreational, or agricultural importance;

(2) Identify mechanisms and funding sources to protect and manage the identified areas;

(3) Propose future uses and limitations in the identified areas that permit minimal man-made structures, manage activities that may degrade or deplete resources, and avoid the hazards from potential volcanic activities and lava flows;

(4) Propose measures for the protection of marine animals,

including but not limited to monk seals, green sea turtles, and hawksbill sea turtles, and their nesting and habitation areas; and

(5) Seek funding from the private sector, through grants and contributions, to support the activities of the Partnership;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Partnership be chaired by a steering committee elected from its members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Planning establish the Partnership's membership from representatives from, but not limited to, the following agencies, organizations, and community members:

(1) Landowners in south Kona and Ka'u with ten or more acres;

(2) Small landowners in south Kona and Ka'u with acreage under ten acres;

(3) Farmers in south Kona and Ka'u;

(4) Community members with no affiliation to landowners

with ten or more acres;

(5) Department of Land and Natural Resources;

(6) National Park Service;

(7) University of Hawaii Environmental Center;

(8) Department of Agriculture;

(9) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;

(10) County of Hawaii;

(11) Private sector conservation organizations; and

(12) Individuals or entities experienced in cultural resource protection;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state departments and agencies shall assist the Partnership; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that federal and county government agencies are requested to assist the Partnership; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Partnership is requested to consider engaging the services of a disinterested third-party, facilitator to assist the Partnership with its activities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Partnership is requested to submit a report, including proposed legislation, to the Legislature not less than 20 days prior to the 2006 legislative session on Partnership activities and progress, including areas identified for protection and strategies to achieve protection; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Mayor of Hawaii County, and the Director of the Office of Planning who, in turn, is requested to distribute this Concurrent Resolution to interested parties to secure their participation in the Partnership.

Report Title:

Requesting the formation of a South Kona-Ka'u Conservation Partnership