THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	135
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE KAHO‘OLAWE ISLAND RESERVE COMMISSION TO PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF its KIHEI PROPERTY TO PROVIDE A SENSE OF place that reflects the culture, history, and tradition of Native Hawaiians.

 

 

     WHEREAS, The Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission (the "Commission") controls an 8.261-acre property, identified as Tax Map Key numbers (2)3-9-004:  por. 001 and 61, situated on South Kihei Road between the Kihei Small Boat Ramp and the Kihei Surfside condominium; and

 

     WHEREAS, the subject property is currently occupied by the Commission's boathouse, which shelters the Commission's vessel Hākilo, and includes a gravel and concrete access driveway that connects the boathouse with the boat ramp parking lot; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2000, the Commission prepared an environmental assessment to evaluate the potential impacts of the Commission's long-term plan for the subject property, including an office and information center, boathouse and storage facility, and native Hawaiian plant nursery, and a Finding of No Significant Impact was published in May 2000, allowing the boathouse project to proceed; and

 

     WHEREAS, in February 2002, Governor Linda Lingle signed Executive Order No. 3963, which set aside the subject property to the control and management of the Commission to be used for the same uses contemplated in the 2000 environmental assessment; and

 

     WHEREAS, in June 2002, the Commission received a special management area minor permit to construct the boathouse and access road; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Commission's long-term plan for the subject property is for a two-story office and information center to replace its current leased space in the Wailuku industrial area; and

 

     WHEREAS, the long-term plan will require a special management area major permit, in addition to a change in zoning and community plan amendment to establish public/quasi-public land use designations for the presently park-zoned parcel; and

 

     WHEREAS, the two-story office and information center building will have a total of approximately 14,400 square feet of interior space, with a footprint of approximately 8,100 square feet, with room for a conference room, break room, computer/server room, and restrooms, and approximately 5,250 square feet will be devoted to the Commission's historical and interactive exhibit about Kaho‘olawe; and

 

     WHEREAS, the office and information center will also house an auditorium and classroom to be available for use by community groups, in addition to their uses in support of the Commission's programs and operations; and

 

     WHEREAS, there will also be an exhibit and visitor center to be open to the public, particularly to school and community groups, to provide information on Kaho‘olawe's history and the Commission's restoration and management activities, an outdoor performance/gathering area, and a plant nursery and interactive exhibit; and

 

     WHEREAS, the proposed new office and information center should have a sense of place to reflect the culture, history, and tradition of Native Hawaiians, which the Commission is mandated to do for the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve pursuant to section 6K-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which provides in pertinent part:

 

     "The Kaho'olawe island reserve shall be used solely and exclusively for the following purposes:

 

     (1)  Preservation and practice of all rights customarily and traditionally exercised by native Hawaiians for cultural, spiritual, and subsistence purposes . . ."; and

 

     WHEREAS, the subject area in Kihei is presently lacking in Hawaiian culture, history, and tradition, as Kihei has become a visitor industry mecca; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission is requested to plan for the development of its Kihei property to provide a sense of place that reflects the culture, history, and tradition of Native Hawaiians; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Chairperson of the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Kihei Development; Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission