HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

154

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting THE OFFICE OF PLANNING TO ASSEMBLE various state, county, and community agencies to meet and develop a hanapepe salt pond resource management plan.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the Hanapepe Salt Ponds, on the southwestern coast of Kauai at the mouth of the Hanapepe Valley, is home to ancient authentic Hawaiian salt ponds; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hanapepe Salt Ponds are listed on the State Historic Preservation Register and are an extremely important cultural resource to the community; and

 

     WHEREAS, salt from the Hanapepe Salt Ponds is created by accessing underground saltwater from a deep ancient source through wells and transferring the saltwater to shallow pools called wai ku, then into salt pans that are shaped carefully with clay from the area, and dried with brine shrimp that add sweetness to the salt; and

 

     WHEREAS, this type of salt making is unique and authentic, and the harvested traditional Hawaiian sea salt mixed with alaea, a form of red dirt from Kokee, is used for traditional Hawaiian ceremonies to cleanse, purify, and bless, as well as for healing rituals for medicinal purposes; and

 

     WHEREAS, over the years, the Hanapepe salt ponds have been burdened by the surrounding uses of land, which cause polluted surface water runoff to flow into the salt ponds; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hanapepe was placed on the federal Clean Water Act section 303(d), 2004 final list of impaired waters in Hawaii for its excessive levels of total suspended solids, nutrients and temperature, and toxic substances; and


     WHEREAS, the development of an airfield runway, a heavily used beach park, a road cutting through the salt beds, a makeshift beach access route blocking drainage, and the cutting down of the Kiawe forest which protects the Hanapepe Salt Ponds from the dust and contamination of the cane fields and highway, have all contributed to the decline of the health of the salt ponds; and

 

     WHEREAS, a close examination of the watershed, moku, and ahupuaa to identify the sources of pollution is needed to recommend projects to reduce the sources of pollution and create a comprehensive resource management plan to revitalize the Hanapepe Salt Ponds; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hanapepe community is eager to assist in planning for ways to preserve the health of the Hanapepe Salt Ponds; and

 

     WHEREAS, a prudent comprehensive resource management plan should encompass coastal zone management and ocean resources management planning, as the Hanapepe Salt Ponds are affected both by tidal influence and land activities; and

 

     WHEREAS, the development of a comprehensive resources management plan would require:

 

     (1)  The identification and assessment of the problems and

          issues;

 

     (2)  The involvement of all applicable stakeholders,

          government agencies, and the community, to ensure the

          plans are workable and acceptable to all parties; and

 

(3)  The identification of the source of the salt and brine shrimp, and explanation of how they migrate in the area;

 

now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the Senate concurring, that the Office of Planning is requested to assemble various state, county, and community agencies and stakeholders to conduct meetings to develop a comprehensive Hanapepe Salt Ponds Resource Management Plan (Management Plan); and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the meetings include representatives of the:

 

     (1)  Office of Planning, Coastal Zone Management

          Division;

 

     (2)  Office of Hawaiian Affairs;

 

     (3)  Department of Land and Natural Resources, Historic

          Preservation Division;

 

     (4)  Department of Transportation;

 

     (5)  Department of Health, Water Quality and Pollution

          Control Divisions;

 

     (6)  Office of the Mayor of the County of Kauai;

 

     (7)  Department of Planning of the County of Kauai;

 

     (8)  Department of Public Works of the County of Kauai;

 

     (9)  Hanapepe community, including Hui Ohana Pa'a Kai O

          Hanapepe;

 

     (10) County Council of the County of Kauai; and

 

     (11) Marine and Coastal Zone Management Advocacy Council;

 

and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Management Plan include:

 

     (1)  Identification of the watershed, moku, and ahupuaa of

          Hanapepe/Makaweli;

 

(2)  Identification of all sources of pollution, particularly those that affect coastal water quality and cultural and historical resources in the area surrounding the Hanapepe Salt Ponds;


(3)  Preparation of a watershed implementation plan (Implementation Plan) similar to those prepared by the Department of Health Polluted Runoff Program in other areas of the state, to include identification and recommendation of small-scale, local projects that can be undertaken to reduce sources of pollution in the watershed;

 

(4)  Consultation with local Hawaiian practitioners and kupuna in the Hanapepe area about local best management principles and practices, and documentation of the principles and practices in a report, to be integrated with the Implementation Plan;

 

(5)  Preparation of a comprehensive resource management plan for the Hanapepe Salt Ponds;

 

(6)  Identification of community stakeholders and results of meetings therewith; and

 

(7)  Recommendations for long-term protection measures;

 

and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Planning is requested to submit to the Legislature a draft report of the Management Plan and the Implementation Plan, including best management practices and principles and necessary legislation, no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009, and a final report no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Office of Planning and the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Hanapepe Salt Ponds Resource Management Plan