HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

183

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WITHDRAW ITS SUPPORT FOR THE HAWAII CAPITAL NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Capital Cultural Coalition is supporting the designation of a large section of central Honolulu as a National Heritage Area; and

 

     WHEREAS, the proposed Hawaii Capital National Heritage Area would encompass a large ahupa`a-like area from the Nu`anu pali down to the ocean, with its easterly boundary along Punahou Street and its westerly boundary along Kalihi Street, containing within it many historically and culturally significant and sensitive areas, including Iolani Palace, the State Capitol, Washington Place, the Royal Mausoleum at Mauna Ala, the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Puowaina, and historic downtown Honolulu and Chinatown; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii' congressional delegation is supporting the designation of the Hawaii Capital National Heritage Area, where many of Hawaii's significant historic events took place, as a means of securing millions of dollars in federal and other funds and encouraging cultural tourism and awareness of Hawaii's unique history; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Capital Cultural Coalition has proceeded with its efforts to establish the Hawaii Capital National Heritage Area without sufficient consultation and input or mana`o from native Hawaiian groups; and

 

     WHEREAS, many native Hawaiians are concerned about bundling some of Hawaii's most culturally sacred places or wahi pana, such as the Iolani Palace and Mauna Ala, with other tourist attractions like Chinatown and the Hawaii Maritime Center, thereby diminishing their significance; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation are requested to reconsider and withdraw their support for the designation of the Hawaii Capital National Heritage Area until there has been an opportunity for native Hawaiian groups and individuals to consider the designation and express their concerns regarding the inclusion of many of Hawaii's most culturally significant places or wahi pana within the Hawaii Capital National Heritage Area; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the members of Hawaii's delegation to the United States Congress.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Hawaii Capital National Heritage Area