BIL 194 Draft 03 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN PROPOSED AMENDMENTS former agricultural fields and pastures, early towns and villages, extensive partially developed subdivisions, and large tracts of native forest. While much of the natural environment and some of the cultural heritage of these areas has been altered and compromised, effective and timely intervention can do much to prevent further degradation and possibly even restore some of what has been lost or undergoing change. The theme of Ma -lama I Ka `Aina encompasses all aspects of the natural and cultural environment, seeking to preserve and perpetuate not only the native forests and geological formations, but also pristine waters, unspoiled, star -lit skies, serene natural habitats, and vestiges of Puna's historic heritage. The following sections propose specific new regulatory, incentive, and educational programs to promote sustainable practices to preserve Puna's natural and cultural resources indefinitely. On a broader level, Chapter 3 will complement these proposals with measures to reshape Puna's development pattern and reduce the development potential of existing subdivisions. 2.1 HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND SCENIC RESOURCES Only nine sites in Puna are listed on the Hawaii and/or National Register of Historic Places, but there are many other sites throughout the district that have been identified as having historic significance. Puna's coastal areas have relatively dense concentrations of historical, cultural, and burial sites. Burial sites and cultural artifacts are not uncommon on subdivision lots, although many are hidden in lava tubes, making them susceptible to destruction due to grading. While the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) plays a role in reviewing construction permits and State law requires that construction activity be halted in the event of discovery of archaeological remains, the effectiveness of these measures is limited due to a shortage of SHPD staff, lack of information about the location of sites, and weak inspection and enforcement mechanisms. Greater County -level involvement in this process could improve results. Puna's history is also evident in the architecture of its older towns and villages; namely, Kea` au, the Kurtistown-Mountain View corridor, Pahoa, and Volcano. Each of these places has a distinctive design character that reflects its history and location. Volcano presently has a small, legally recognized historic district, but otherwise there are no special design controls to preserve the design character of these towns. Of the four towns, Volcano and Pahoa have the greatest potential for designation as Special Design Districts, based on their existing fabric. Design controls for Kea au and Kurtistown-Mountain View can be woven into rezoning approvals for the village center designations for those places, which is discussed further in Chapters 3 and 5. Scenic natural settings are numerous in Puna, but they are, for the most part, protected by existing land use controls or public land agencies. Trails and scenic byways deserve special mention, since they are continuous visual experiences along a designated corridor and are particularly vulnerable to loss. Because they also serve a transportation function, they are addressed in Section 4.5 as well as below. 2-3