THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1287

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to state planning.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii is a unique and beautiful state, a precious lei of islands amidst the Pacific Ocean and unique as the only Pacific island state.  For many, it is the ideal place to live and has been second to none for providing a preferred quality of life.  It is the government's responsibility to identify the goals of the State that are important for present and future generations, to improve and maintain the quality of life for individuals and communities and the quality of the visitor experience.  Preserving Hawaii's values is the unifying theme of the Hawaii state plan, which is intended to preserve and protect the healthy social, economic, and physical environments that benefit the community as a whole.

     The Hawaii state plan states as one of its goals, "A desired physical environment, characterized by beauty, cleanliness, quiet, stable natural systems, and uniqueness, that enhances the mental and physical well-being of the people".  The state plan objectives and policies for the physical environment include planning to protect:

     (1)  Land-based, shoreline, and marine resources;

     (2)  Scenic, natural beauty, and historic resources; and

     (3)  Land, air, and water quality.

The Hawaii state plan also sets priority guidelines for planning for population growth and land resources, including identification of critical environmental areas in Hawaii.  Critical environmental areas include scenic and recreational shoreline resources, open space and natural areas, historic and cultural sites, and scenic resources.

     The legislature further finds that the lei of green was first brought forth by the renowned national planner Lewis Mumford to benefit the Territory of Hawaii, as a plan to link Honolulu's green parks, open space, recreation areas, and greenways mauka to makai along the shoreline, interconnected with tree-lined pedestrian paths for shade and climate control.  The lei of green was further emphasized by the Hawaii chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1999 and incorporated as a guiding principle in the Kakaako makai master plan by the Hawaii community development authority in 2011.  The legislature finds that there is a need for coordination among different agencies and levels of government in guiding the future of the State to ensure the long-continued and intended protection and preservation of the lei of green, consisting of Honolulu's historic parks and green recreational open spaces as an interconnected multi-use system.

     The purpose of this Act is to include objectives and policies and implementation guidelines for planning for the lei of green in the Hawaii state plan.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§226-A  Objectives and policies for the physical environment-lei of green.  (a)  Planning for the State's physical environment with regard to the lei of green shall be directed toward achievement of the following objectives:

     (1)  The protection and preservation of green public parks and recreational open spaces within the lei of green;

     (2)  The expansion of greenways and shoreline promenades interconnecting the lei of green from the Ala Wai recreational boat harbor and Kewalo Basin boat harbor public lands to Honolulu harbor;

     (3)  The restoration, protection, and preservation of the intrinsic elements of the lei of green; and

     (4)  The protection of the lei of green resources for the immediate future and to perpetuate the lei of green to benefit the public as an environmental legacy for present and future generations.

     (b)  For the purposes of this section:

     "Greenways" means a system of corridors of land or water that connect and protect the natural, historic and cultural, and recreational resources within the surrounding landscape and communities.

     "Lei of green" means the area of historic public parks and recreational open spaces spanning from Diamond Head to Aloha Tower, including Diamond Head state monument, Kapiolani regional park, Ala Wai Golf Course, Ala Wai Canal, Fort DeRussy beach park, Ala Moana regional park, Kewalo Basin park, Kakaako waterfront park, Thomas Square, and Irwin memorial park."

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§226-B  Lei of green.  (a)  The office shall implement the lei of green policy, in coordination with appropriate state and county departments.  The office shall strive to:

     (1)  Ensure that the lei of green policy is a respected guide for the restoration, protection, and preservation of the anchor elements of the lei of green, including its historic parks and historic landscapes, recreational open spaces, and greenways extending from Diamond Head to Aloha Tower; and

     (2)  Work closely with the county and the public to implement the policy for state and county lands within the lei of green.

     (b)  For the purposes of this section:

     "Greenways" shall have the same meaning as in section 226‑A.

     "Historic landscape" means any park, recreational, or cultural green open space listed on or eligible for the Hawaii state register of historic places.

     "Lei of green" shall have the same meaning as in section 226‑A."

     SECTION 4.  The office of planning shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature and the governor no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2020, on the status of the lei of green.  The report shall provide benchmarks as necessary to assist incremental compliance with fulfilling and completing the lei of green from Diamond Head to Aloha Tower.

     SECTION 5.  In codifying the new sections added by section 2 and 3 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

     SECTION 6.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii State Plan; Lei of Green

 

Description:

Includes objectives and policies and implementation guidelines for planning for the lei of green in the Hawaii state plan.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.