HB1807

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1807
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Nuuanu-Liliha corridor uniquely reflects the three major eras of Hawaii's dynamic history, from pre-unification of the islands by Kamehameha the Great, to the monarchy period, and finally to the pre-Statehood era. It reflects all of Hawaii through its myriad of multicultural temples, its quaint "frozen in time" mom and pop stores from the 1940s and 1950s pre-Statehood days, and most obviously, some of the most important natural and cultural resources of our State and nation.

Historic corridors are a type of cultural landscape, a larger site that reflects its past history. Historic corridors are geographic areas containing buildings, sites, objects, and vistas of natural, historic, geographic, or architectural significance. They are associated with persons or events important to understanding the history and culture of Hawaii.

The Nuuanu-Liliha corridor houses one of only three royal palaces in the nation, as well as the location where King Kamehameha defeated his last opponent and unified the Hawaiian islands. There are numerous sites that enjoy the distinction of being listed on either the state or National Historic Registries, or both, including the Queen Emma Summer Palace and Grounds, the Sanju Pagoda, and the Kawananakoa playground.

The legislature further finds that Liliha neighborhood, named for High Chiefess Kuini Liliha, once the governor of O'ahu, is just northwest of downtown and has a history as long and varied as the generations of immigrants who settled here, trying to be close to Honolulu's jobs and far enough away to live affordably. Liliha is said to be the birthplace of saimin, and the home of the first plate lunch place, and the original L&L Drive-In, now a national chain, which opened on Liliha street in 1959.

Finally, the legislature recognizes that Liliha is home to many religious denominations, from the Ma'mae'e Chapel (1863) to the Young Buddhist Association (1900) to St. Luke's Episcopal Church (1903) to the Korean Christian Church (1918). Liliha also might be the State's healthiest neighborhood, with Kuakini Health Systems, St. Francis Medical Center, Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, and almost two dozen additional medical clinics and therapy centers.

The purpose of this Act is to designate the Nuuanu-Liliha corridor as the Nuuanu-Liliha historic corridor.

SECTION 2. Chapter 6E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§6E- Nuuanu-Liliha historic corridor. The official designation of the Nuuanu-Liliha corridor shall be the Nuuanu-Liliha historic corridor."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________