Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> e...~,~ <br /> REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND <br /> INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS <br /> DATE: September 18, 2007 Re: Comm. No. 657/Bill 173 <br /> PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa <br /> 78-128 Ehukai Street <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 3:40 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred <br /> Bill 173, reports as follows: <br /> Bill 173, transmitted by Council Member Emily Naeole, via Communication No. 657, dated <br /> September 6, 2007, amends Chapter 5 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as <br /> amended), relating to indigenous architecture, amends the Building Code to allow for indigenous <br /> Hawaiian architecture. <br /> The purpose of this bill is to amend Chapter 5 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, <br /> as amended), Relating to Indigenous Architecture. It is further noted that the purpose is to: <br /> (1) establish respect for the principles of indigenous architecture in the Building Code; <br /> (2) encourage the preservation of existing structures that exhibit the principles of indigenous <br /> architecture; and (3) encourage the development of new structures that incorporate indigenous <br /> architecture. <br /> Your Committee heard testimony from two members of the public regazding the proposed bill. <br /> First member of the public to testify, Dr. Keola Downing spoke in strong support of Bill 173. <br /> Dr. Downing believes there are positive results and opportunities in building island architecture. <br /> Through his experience living in the Marshall Islands, he has seen the people of Micronesia <br /> secure jobs, funding and purchase property; and this could address the difficult housing situation <br /> here. <br /> This next person to testify was Senator Kalani English, Sixth District, representing the azea of <br /> Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kaho`olawe. For many years, it was <br /> Senator English's vision to return indigenous architecture to the landscape of Hawaii . As <br /> discussion took place of this vision, it was important to change the mindset of grass shack or <br /> houses to its current name or term of indigenous architecture; subsequently, this peaked the <br /> interest of azchitects, academics and cultural practitioners. As a former Maui County Council <br /> Member, he needed to fit this into the planning and building codes in Maui. Instead of amending <br /> the related section, creating a new section "indigenous azchitecture" of that building code was <br /> decided. This new section was faced with challenges to meet all the necessary requirements and <br /> standazds. The bill before you is not a new bill; it was passed in 2000 on Maui. Senator English <br /> <br />