Report Title:

Land Purchase in North Kona; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to purchase a 1.24-acre parcel of sacred native Hawaiian grounds between Keolonahihi state park and Keakealaniwahine complex (HB179 HD1).

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

179

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Making an appropriation for the purchase of land in North Kona.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Keolonahihi state park, Keakealaniwahine complex, and the 1.24-acre parcel of land (TMK 3-7-7-004-026) between the park and complex in north Kona, comprise a native Hawaiian sacred grounds area traditionally known as Kaluaokalani, "The Second Heaven." The Keakealaniwahine complex will soon be transferred to the state parks division of the department of land and natural resources.

The legislature finds that preserving all parts of Kaluaokalani is in the best interest of the State. The grounds encompass one of the most intact and historically significant land complexes in the Hawaiian islands, including a traditional medical college, the site of young Kamehameha's training in the arts of fighting and surfing, and the seat of power of one of two female rulers of the island of Hawaii -- Keakealaniwahine, who ruled from approximately 1655 to 1685. The 1.24-acre parcel is at the geographic center of Kaluaokalani and is the site of a promontory (pu`u) referenced in both historical record and oral tradition.

Today, the land is under imminent threat from a proposed three-story, thirteen-unit real estate development. The administrators of state parks and the state historic preservation division have opposed the proposed development due to direct adverse effects on the historic area and connecting visual corridors. Purchasing the 1.24-acre parcel would not only protect the sacred grounds, but provide a strong possibility that an owner of lands contiguous to the 1.24-acre parcel, but partly separated from the current park area, would donate additional land with significant cultural sites to the state parks for preservation.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the purchase of the historically and culturally significant land parcel, providing for the preservation of one of the last intact sacred native Hawaiian grounds.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 for the purchase of TMK 3-7-7-004-026 in north Kona, on the island of Hawaii, that forms a crucial link between Keolonahihi state park and the 16-acre Keakealaniwahine complex.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.