THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	110
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE COUNTIES TO AMEND THEIR RESPECTIVE BUILDING CODE TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF INDIGENOUS HAWAIIAN DWELLINGS FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, AS PROVIDED BY THE HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.

     WHEREAS, architecture is one of the most important means of cultural expression for all peoples; and

     WHEREAS, "indigenous architecture" has great aesthetic appeal and economic potential, in addition to its cultural significance; and

     WHEREAS, there is a growing interest and appreciation among architects, developers, planners, Hawaiian cultural experts, visitors, and residents for indigenous architecture; and

     WHEREAS, indigenous Hawaiian architecture has immense cultural and historical significance in linking modern Hawaii to  the past, in nurturing Hawaiian values for the present and future; and

     WHEREAS, indigenous Hawaiian architecture utilizes rock walls and wood frame walls covered by thatches of different native grasses or other natural material for roofs; and

     WHEREAS, ancient Hawaiians had many forms of architecture that reflected cultural needs in terms of adapting to climate, availability of materials, and social and religious conditions; and

     WHEREAS, one of the primary principles in indigenous architecture is development in harmony with the natural environment; and

     WHEREAS, homeowners should be afforded the opportunity to utilize indigenous Hawaiian architecture in constructing their dwellings, in the interest of cultural preservation; and

     WHEREAS, by adherence to the principles of judicious use of limited resources, indigenous Hawaiian architecture decreases Hawaii's reliance on external economic forces, engenders sustainable development, and preserves the forests; and

     WHEREAS, indigenous Hawaiian dwellings are intricate to construct, but are a work of art when finished; and

     WHEREAS, history has shown that ancient Hawaiian structures were sturdy and safe enough to substantially survive tropical storms that destroyed Western style buildings; and

     WHEREAS, some indigenous Hawaiian dwellings or native buildings, including a grass house in Hamoa, have been used for quite a few generations and the rock foundations still remain today; and

     WHEREAS, Act 310, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, codified as section 46-1.55, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires each county to adopt ordinances allowing the exercise of indigenous native Hawaiian architectural practices, styles, customs, techniques, and materials historically employed by Native Hawaiians, in the county building code, including residential structures and other structures; and

     WHEREAS, the County of Maui is the only county to have amended its building code to allow qualified builders to go through the same process to construct indigenous Hawaiian dwellings as for Western dwellings; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the City and County of Honolulu, County of Kaua‘i, and County of Hawai‘i are requested to amend their respective building code to allow for indigenous Hawaiian architecture, as required by law; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City and County of Honolulu, County of Kaua‘i, and County of Hawai‘i are requested to report to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008 on the progress of adopting building code provisions consistent with section 46‑1.55, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, Mayor of the County of Kaua‘i, Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, Chair of the City Council of Honolulu, Chair of the County Council of Hawai‘i, and Chair of the County Council of Kaua‘i.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Indigenous Hawaiian Architecture; County Building Codes