SCR160.DOC

WHEREAS, the reflecting ponds surrounding the State Capitol have leaked stagnant water into the chamber level of the State Capitol in the past, including in 2008, and will probably do so again; and

WHEREAS, the waterproof membrane underneath the reflecting ponds needs replacing; and

WHEREAS, the reflecting ponds were built without adequate filtration, thus preventing the stocking of fish to control algae growth; and

WHEREAS, the growth of algae in the reflecting ponds has become an unsightly problem; and

WHEREAS, with their bumpy bottom, the reflecting ponds are difficult to clean properly; and

WHEREAS, it takes three janitors working ten half-days per month using enzymes and pumps to control algae growth in the reflecting ponds; and

WHEREAS, in a time of the State's budget crisis, it costs more than $50,000 per year, not including electricity costs, to maintain the reflecting ponds; and

WHEREAS, the reflecting ponds provide little educational value; and

WHEREAS, a garden of native plants, along with explanatory signs, would provide visitors to the State Capitol with a much better educational experience; and

WHEREAS, the reflecting ponds are considered an architectural feature of the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, the State Capitol is listed on the Hawaii and National Registers of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, any proposal to alter the architectural features of a property listed on the Hawaii or National Register of Historic Places must be submitted to the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources for review; and

WHEREAS, the State Capitol is located in the Hawaii Capital Special Design District and the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting must approve of any changes; and

WHEREAS, section 6E-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is the principal statutory provision addressing the review of the effects of proposed state projects for properties designated as historic; and

WHEREAS, the State Capitol falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Accounting and General Services; and

WHEREAS, any proposal to replace the reflecting ponds could be accomplished under existing statutes and regulations, according to the Comptroller of the Department of Accounting and General Services; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to treat this measure as the Legislature's proposal to replace the reflecting ponds surrounding the State Capitol with a garden of native plants with explanatory signs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is also requested to approve of this proposal to replace the reflecting ponds surrounding the State Capitol with a garden of native plants with explanatory signs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Accounting and General Services is requested to develop a plan to implement this proposal; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is also requested to cooperate with the Department of Accounting and General Services in developing a plan to implement this proposal; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources are requested to seek any required approvals from the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting, the National Register of Historic Places, and any other appropriate agency; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Accounting and General Services is requested to implement the plan once the required approvals are obtained; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources report to the Legislature on their progress no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session until the project is completed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; the Administrator of the State Historic Preservation Division; the Comptroller; the Director of the City and County of Honolulu's Department of

Planning and Permitting; the program manager of the National Register of Historic Places; and the United States Secretary of the Interior.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

State Capitol; Reflecting Pools; Replacement with Garden

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	160
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII