HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

197

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING A PARK AT KEHENA BEACH, HAWAII.

 

WHEREAS, the Puna District in the County of Hawaii has few ocean recreational areas, primarily due to the inundation of lava onto the county's few accessible beaches; and

WHEREAS, the State's beaches and shoreline provide an essential and unique attraction to potential and returning visitors to Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, Kehena Beach is one of the few black sand beaches remaining along the Puna coastline after lava destroyed the legendary Kalapana Beach at Kaimu and other similar beaches, and thus serves as a popular beach site for residents and visitors alike; and

WHEREAS, Kehena Beach is a beautiful black sand beach that is ideal for viewing dolphins and turtles that often frequent the area, and viewing the humpbacks whales that rest there at night during the winter months; and

WHEREAS, Kehena Beach is situated on public lands identified as Tax Map Key No. 1-2-009-021 on a part of the King's Highway, and thus provides visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the rich cultural and historical experience of the Puna coast; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, pursuant to section 184-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, may designate parks and parkways and bring those public lands under its control and management as parts of the state park system; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to conduct a study to assess the feasibility of developing a park at Kehena Beach, Puna District, County of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to conduct community meetings to solicit and receive input regarding the concerns or improvement preferences of members of the community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to address the following, in addition to any community concerns raised, in the study:

(1) Public access to the shoreline;

(2) Plans and designs for a park, a roadway, shower and restroom facilities, and parking that respect and compliment the area's natural beauty;

(3) Restoration and maintenance of beach shorelines and any historical sites in the state land adjacent to Kehena Beach;

(4) A timetable for implementation of improvements and projected expenses; and

(5) Other issues deemed necessary or desirable by the department; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any necessary proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2005; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and the Mayor and members of the Council of the County of Hawaii.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Requests the DLNR to conduct a feasibility study to develop a park at Kehena Beach.