COM 1445.000 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ko`a throughout the district, where early Hawaiians carried out rituals, many of which were connected to the land and ocean, and their fertility. Overall, Kohala residents would like to see these cultural resources protected and the natural resources managed with care. In addition, they would like to preserve the vast open spaces of the region, which help to define Kohala's rural character. One other aspect to note is the district's vulnerability to natural hazards, such as flooding, tsunami, and earthquakes. Its remote location accentuates Kohala's need for well-planned emergency response. Key Planning Implications Related to North Koha/a's Natural and Cultural Resources • Cultural sites and landscapes -Important cultural sites and landscapes, including the entire Kohala coastline and the mauka kula lands, should be protected. • Coastal (makai) resources - Kohala's pristine coastline and abundance of marine life should be protected from development and be accessible to residents. • Mountain (mauka) resources -The district has important resources in its mauka regions that need protection, such as streams, forest areas, and pasture lands. • Ahupua`a -Ancient Hawaiians looked at the land from the framework of the ahupua`a, which is the unit of land that extends from the top of the mountain to the fishing waters of the sea, similar to today's concept of a watershed. These wedge=shaped divisions of land contained all of the resources needed for human survival, and provided the principal physical and social structure for Native Hawaiian society. This holistic perspective is important for current-day land use planning as well, since activities in the mauka regions directly affect makai areas. • Agricultural potential -Agriculture should be promoted and agricultural lands should be preserved for this use. • Open space- The district's large open spaces should be preserved. • Vulnerability to Natural Hazards -Emergency preparedness should be a priority. DEMOGRAPHICS & ECONOMICS According to the 2000 Census, North Kohala had a total population of 6,038, with about 60% of that total living in and around the small towns of Hawi and Kapa`au. The total number of people living in the district almost doubled between 1980 and 2000. This growth is largely attributed to the continuing development of various resort complexes along the neighboring South Kohala coast, as well as a growing number of people who have built their retirement homes within the district. Figure 2 below shows the population trends for North Kohala for the period of 1960 to 2000. Population -The population of North Kohala is expected to continue to increase. The 2005 County of Hawaii General Plan included three population projections for North Kohala for the year 2020. These three growth rates are: relatively conservative (1 ],053),