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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
30 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR POLIHALE STATE PARK ON THE ISLAND OF KAUAI.
WHEREAS, Polihale State Park, located on the west to northwest end of Kauai, possesses a large expanse of sand and shoreline against a background of sand dunes that, together with other areas of the park, are known to contain the remains of native Hawaiian burials; and
WHEREAS, beach goers and park users reportedly drive their motor vehicles and recreational vehicles on the sand and among the dunes for camping, boating, fishing, and other recreational purposes; and
WHEREAS, overuse and abuse of the beach and camping area, as well as COVID-19 public health concerns, led the Department of Land and Natural Resources to shut down public access to the park in the summer of 2020; and
WHEREAS, some users of Polihale State Park have a history of noncompliance with Hawaii Administrative Rules for the Hawaii State Park System, including driving on the beach; and
WHEREAS, community discussions about the future management of the park have included discussions about a stewardship agreement to cover issues such as capital improvement projects to protect the dunes and entry road from damage, facilitating access to the park, improving parking conditions, and properly maintaining camping areas; and
WHEREAS, the State Parks Division has initiated discussions with groups interested in creating a stewardship agreement with the Division to help the Division manage resources and educate the public regarding Polihale State Park; and
WHEREAS, these discussions have also included ways to mitigate the concerns raised by the lineal and cultural descendant families who have burial sites in the area; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to establish a community advisory committee to engage in a community-based planning effort to address the various issues identified in this measure, including resource protection, capacity, access, fishing, surfing, and vehicle use for Polihale State Park on Kauai, and to achieve compliance with the Department of Land and Natural Resources' rules; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to invite the following persons to serve on the community advisory committee:
(1) An official from the Office of the Governor;
(2) Members of the Legislature;
(3) Staff from its own department, including law enforcement officers;
(4) An official from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Kauai and staff from the County of Kauai; and
(5) Stakeholders representing cultural and subsistence users and recreational users, including lineal and cultural descendants, fishers, and recreational and commercial boaters; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to share its findings with area legislators in the interest of developing potential enabling legislation to implement any actions identified by the community advisory committee; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and Mayor of the County of Kauai.
DNLR; Polihale State Park; Community Advisory Committee