RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Legislature is concerned about unmanaged development and the intrusion of urban activities creeping into the until now pristine 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, 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 Legislature requests that the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii establish a Ka'u Development Commission (Commission) to review and analyze the impact being made on the fragile and historically essential area of Ka'u; and

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

(1) Identify those land areas that should be placed under

(2) Propose future land uses that permit minimal man-made

(3) Propose permitting for limited access for recreational

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

(5) Seek funding from the private sector, through grants

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission be chaired by a member of the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and include but not be limited to representatives from the following, agencies, organizations, or community members:

(1) Landowners in Ka'u with acreage over ten acres;

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

(3) Farmers in Ka'u;

(5) Department of Land and Natural Resources;

(6) National Park Service;

(7) University of Hawaii Office of the Environment;

(8) Department of Agriculture;

(9) U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife; and

(10) County of Hawaii;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Departments and agencies shall assist the Ka'u Development Commission; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal and county government agencies are requested to assist the Ka'u Development Commission; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Mayor of Hawaii County, and Nature Conservancy of Hawaii.

Report Title:

Urging the formation of a Ka'u Development Commission