2024-11-21 Moku Loa Hawaii Island Sierra Club Testimony (2)

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Hawaii County Scenic Resources Inventory and Mapping Project HRS 205A further provides a number of policies to achieve each objective of the law. HRS 205A-2 (c) (3) lists four policies to achieve scenic and open space resource objectives. These include: A. Identify valued scenic resources in the coastal zone management area; B. Ensure that new developments are compatible with their visual environment by designing and locating such developments to minimize the alteration of natural landforms and existing public views to and along the shoreline; C. Preserve, maintain, and, where desirable, improve and restore shoreline open space and scenic resources; and D. Encourage those developments that are not coastal dependent to locate in inland areas. The law further states that the County "shall seek to minimize where reasonable any development which would substantially interfere with or detract from the line of sight toward the sea from the state highway nearest the coast, or from the existing public views to and along the shoreline." Implementation Any "development" proposed within a Special Management Area (SMA) must obtain a Special Management Area Minor or Major permit. In issuing the permit, the County must determine that the project is consistent with HRS 205A-2 (c) (3). Thus, it is the County's responsibility to review development within the SMA, and prior to issuing an SMA permit, ensure that the development is consistent with the above-referenced SMA scenic resource objectives and policies. If the development is found not compatible, then it is the County's responsibility to require changes to the project's design and/or location to ensure consistency. mama !,�si- � *.gY6srz • luew ttVA Hawaii County's diverse coastal views are protected by SMA objectives and policies. Scenic Resource Protection Programs and Strategies Page 16