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<br /> Via Email: Hawaii County Clerk <br /> counciltestimonyCc~co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> To: Hawaii County Council <br /> <br /> The Honorable Pete Hoffman, Chair <br /> From: Wendy Wichman <br /> Preservation Associates <br /> Subject: Support of Council Bill 176 <br /> Establishing a Hawaii County Cultural Resources Commission <br /> I am writing to support Council Bill 176, establishing a Hawaii County Cultural <br /> Resources Commission. <br /> As a preservation consultant, I have done extensive research in the area of local <br /> preservation programs. I have found that they strengthen local historic <br /> preservation efforts and offer valuable technical assistance at the local level. A <br /> local preservation program, which meets the guidelines of the certified local <br /> government program as established by the National Historic Preservation Act <br /> and administered by the National Park Service, integrates national and state <br /> historic preservation programs into local government planning processes and <br /> local land-use policies. <br /> State Historic Preservation Offices across the country have been certifying local <br /> preservation programs since 1985, and nationally there are now over 700. Kauai <br /> and Maui Counties have passed local preservation ordinances, and our <br /> Statewide Historic Preservation Plan, published in 2001, which was developed as <br /> a blueprint for historic preservation throughout our islands, specifically <br /> encourages Hawaii County expand its local government participation in historic <br /> preservation activities through the establishment of a local preservation program. <br /> The 2005 Hawaii County General Plan, Historic Sites section, emphasizes that <br /> the heritage of a community is documented by its history, just as its identity <br /> evolves from its past. One of its stated goals is to protect, restore, and enhance <br /> the sites, buildings, and objects of significant historical and cultural importance to <br /> Hawaii. To achieve this, the County has stated policies to keep the public <br /> informed about historic sites; amend appropriate ordinances to incorporate <br /> stewardship and protection of historic sites, buildings and objects; and collect <br /> and distribute historic sites information of public interest and keep an inventory of <br /> sites; develop a continuing program to evaluate the significance of historic sites; <br /> support the establishment of Hawaiian Heritage Corridors; include all new historic <br /> sites placed on the State or National Historic Registers in the General Plan; and <br /> recognize the importance of certain natural features in Hawaiian culture by <br /> incorporating the concept of "cultural landscapes" in land use planning, and <br /> <br />