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VIA EMAIL: Hawaii County Clerk <br /> cotmciltestimo~Qco.hawaiihi.us <br /> To: Hawaii County Council <br /> Committee on Planning <br /> The Honorable K Angel Pilago, Chair <br /> The Honorable Dominic Yagong, Vice-Chair <br /> From: Mazge Elwell , <br /> Executive Director, Na"alehu Main Street <br /> Committee Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 <br /> 1:00 pm <br /> Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa <br /> Subject: Support of Council Bill 176 , <br /> Establishing a Hawaii County <br /> Cultural Resources Commission <br /> I am writing on behalf of Na'alehu Main Street to support Codncil Bill 176, establishing a Hawaii <br /> County Cultural Resources Commission. <br /> Since 1991, Naalehu Main Street has been adistrict-wide leader for historic preservation. NMS bas <br /> <br /> worked to preserve Hawai is unique architectural (Na'alehu Theatre and Naohulelua Historical <br /> Gazden) and cultural heritage (4th of July Festival and Parade) and believes that historic preservation <br /> <br /> is an important element in the present and future qualiiy of life and economic viability of the <br /> County. <br /> <br /> A local preservation prob and eventually a Certified Local C,over~Pnt, would implement the <br /> 2005 County General Plan. A kcal preservation commission and enabling legislation for protecting <br /> the island's historic and cultural resources aze key components of such a program. <br /> <br /> The Cultural Resources Commission (CRC) would be charged with protecting, preserving and <br /> <br /> perpetuating the historic and cultural resources of Hawai i County. As an advisory board, the CRC <br /> <br /> would review proposals that could impact the Island's historic and cultural sites, as in Kauai and <br /> <br /> Maui Counties and is consistent with the guidelines in the National Historic Preservation Act for <br /> Certified Local Governments (CLGs). <br /> <br /> The benefits of a local preservation commission aze numerous. The visitor industry benefits by <br /> <br /> protecting and enhancing a unique and distinctive destination that will attract heritage tourism. The <br /> County benefits by having a more effective and efficient means of tracking, reviewing and <br /> monitoring planning and development projects that could impact historic sites, official standing for <br /> input to State and federal undertakings under historic preservation statutes, and qualifying for certain <br /> funding sources. The general public benefits by having a mechanism for community-based input <br /> into preservation issues and oppom~n+fiPs for public comment and feedback on major proposals. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> <br /> Marge Elwell, President and CEO of Na'alehu Main Street <br /> Comm. No. b ~ b • 10 <br /> Ref. To: 0lrase <br /> Ref. Dare E 2007 <br /> <br />