Waipi'o Valley (Focused Discusstion) Supplementary Handout

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Policy 59: Encourage the integration of best management practices and an understanding of cultural values and experiences during the land use application process for any business plans requiring Planning Department Plan Approval within Waipi'o Valley. (Refer to HCC Chapter 25 Section 2, Division 7 for more information on Plan Approval) Rationale: Land use impacts related to the visitor industry have been a source of some concern and friction in the Valley between local residents and commercial operators. Tourism -related impacts potentially include trespassing on private property, desecration of sacred sites, and intrusion on the privacy of Valley residents and the peaceful character of the Valley. However, when properly managed, the visitor industry can enhance both the physical and the intangible heritage of an area while offering a positive, peaceful way for communities to express pride in their cultural identity. This policy is related to General Plan Policy 6.3 (n) "Consider requiring Cultural Assessments for certain developments as part of the rezoning process;" in that it seeks to specifically address cultural impacts associated with the visitor - industry, but this policy's focus is on stipulating and educating applicants on culturally appropriate land use issues and practices to better protect the natural and cultural resources of the Valley, and also to ensure that the host culture is accurately and respectfully represented. For more information on the relationship between the tourism industry and Hawaiian culture, see the Hawai'i Tourism Strategic Plan, 2005-2015 located on the web at: http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/default/assets/File/brand/HawaiianCultureinitiative.pdf. Policy 60: Develop the Waipi'o Valley Heritage Center, including: ■ Support for its related Educational Programs such as the Waipi'o Education and Information Program (aka: Waipi'o Valley Rangers Program). ■ Support community-based management of the Waipi'o Valley Heritage Center through a lease or cooperative use agreement with the County Department of Parks and Recreation. Rationale: The County has already purchased a 1.804 -acre site for the Visitor Center at the Waipi'o Valley Lookout (TMK (3)4-8-004:006), which is listed as a Natural Beauty Site in the General Plan Table 7- 7. The Waipi'o Circle, a group of Valley residents and others, have started the planning and manual site clearing for this facility. This policy seeks to prioritize CIP funding to design and construct the Visitor Center. The Waipi'o Education and Information Program was funded by two Hawai'i Tourism Authority Natural Resources grants obtained by the County Department of Research and Development (R&D). The purpose of the program is to place guides at the entrance the Valley who will educate visitors about the Valley's history, its cultural importance, and its unique challenges as actively cultivated agricultural land in a fragile ecosystem. Waipi'o Valley is the second most visited location on Hawai'i Island. The grant funding has lapsed, and the County budgeted $70,000 in the 2013/14 Operating Budget to continue this program until the funds are depleted. Recognizing that this is a valuable resource, this policy seeks to explore continuous funding mechanisms for the program, which may need to be developed as a new Department of Parks and Recreation program. Draft Hamakua CDP hamakua@hawaiicounty.gov www.hamakuacdp.info