COM 0493.113 2000-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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SUPPORT FOR AN OPEN COASTLINE In 1972, a study entitled "NORTH KOHALA, PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES" done by DLNR staff and the 1988 DLNR commissioned study by Tomonari and Tuggle entitled "NORTH KOHALA :PERCEPTION OF A CHANGING COMMUNITY", both indicated the intent of past state administrations and DLNR staff to preserve and protect the North Kohala Coast. ---IN 1983, "THE NORTH KOHALA COI\~IlvIiJNITY DEVELOMENT PLAN," adopted by resolution by the County Planning Commission, sets forth to implement the General Plan for the North Kohala District. This plan recommended for "OPEN" classification the coastal zone extending along the entire length of the North Kohala coast synonymous with the State land Use Conservation District. Section 10.3 specifically addresses public access and the community's desire to establish a permanent walking trail along the entire North Kohala coastline. ---In 1988, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 179 passed both houses of the State Legislature calling for governments to work together to ensure public view and open space along the coast and to discourage development makai of Akoni Pule Highway. In 1988, THE CITIZENS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE NORTH KOHALA COASTLINE, a Kohala community environmental group, collected almost 7,000 signatures on a petition calling on the State and County to stop all development until studies of the coastline can be completed Over 50 percent of the signators are from North and South Kohala. IN 1990, The HAWAII STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY and the HAWAII COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY both adopted resolutions at their conventions calling for the State and County "to develop and implement a plan to protect the open nature of the coast, preserve its valuable historic sites and promote nonexclusive enjoyment of it by residents and visitor alike." In 1989, The HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE passed a resolution calling for protection of the coastline from development and calling for a survey of the coast. The resolution was passed unanimously by five members of the Committee. ---In 1989, THE WEST HAWAII REGIONAL PLAN says the State and County have already over-committed West Hawaii in resort and resort-residential development. The resort development scenario suggested by the plan shows no resort or resort-residential development in North Kohala. The plan further says "Scenic heritage areas and open space are important to our quality of life and the quality of the visitor experience. Planning for these elements, and the extent to which they are preserved or enhanced, will greatly influence the visual character, land use pattern, and identity of the region." Highest on its list of "important scenic heritage resources" are the cliffs and valleys of the Kohala Mountain and the panoramic coastal Views from the Kohala Mountain.