HB2607

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the North Kohala coastline provides cultural, historic, and scenic benefits to the people of Hawaii. The area is significant, in part, because of the important role it had in the history of the missionary, paniolo, and plantation eras. The area contains Lapakahi state park, an ancient Hawaiian coastal settlement, Mookini Heiau state monument, the birthplace of Kamehameha the Great, and numerous other historical and sacred native Hawaiian sites.

In 1988, recognizing the scenic significance of the North Kohala coastline, the legislature adopted senate concurrent resolution no. 179, H.D. 1, urging the State and Hawaii county to work together to preserve the public view and open space makai of the Kawaihae‑Mahukona‑Hawi road, and to discourage subdivision and building development there.

In 2000, over six hundred members of the community responded to an update of the Hawaii county comprehensive plan by petitioning to preserve and protect the North Kohala coastline from Kawaihae to Pololu Valley.

In 2001, the legislature adopted senate concurrent resolution no. 146, S.D. 1, urging the State and Hawaii county to collaborate with the community and residents of Kohala to develop and implement a plan that would protect the openness of the Kohala coast, preserve its valuable historic sites, and provide greater awareness and appreciation of the historic and cultural significance of the area.

Despite years of advocacy for the protection of the North Kohala coastline, development in the area has continued and more subdivisions are planned. The relevant area is currently within the agricultural district and current zoning permits it to be developed for low density residential uses.

The purpose of this Act is to prevent any development of the lands by directing the office of planning to petition the land use commission to reclassify the lands from the agricultural district to the conservation district.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of business, economic development, and tourism, office of planning shall petition the land use commission to reclassify certain lands along the North Kohala coastline in Hawaii county (that are designated on the state tax map as TMK: 357003015, 357003004, 358001012, 358001013, 356001036, 356001037, 357003013, 357001021, 357001022, 356001060, 359003001, and 356001011), from the agricultural district to the conservation district.

(b) The office of planning shall submit a report, including the status of the petition, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session.

(c) Pending the preparation, filing, and final disposition of the petition required by subsection (a), the county of Hawaii shall not issue any special permit or issue any land use, subdivision, building or other permit that would enable the development of lands along the North Kohala coastline in Hawaii county referenced in subsection (a).

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2607
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII