Waipi'o Valley (Focused Discusstion) Supplementary Handout

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The County Department of Parks and Recreation enters into agreements with various community groups for similar community-based management. This policy supports the community-based management of the Waipi'o Valley Heritage Center. For more information, see pages 224-270 of Appendix V4A. Policy 61: Integrate the support facilities for the existing Waipi'o Lookout with the Visitor Center and the Heritage Corridor route. Rationale: The Visitor Center would have displays, presentations, docents, publications, performances, and other means to engage and inform the visitor of the historic, cultural, and natural treasures of the Valley. The information would be geared to school children, local residents, and visitors. The intent would be to provide a fulfilling experience without having to actually go into the Valley. For those choosing to trek into the Valley, they would learn the proper protocols. This policy would ensure the support facilities were all integrated. For more information on the visitor center project and its functions, see pages 251-252 of Appendix V4A. See related Policy 47. 1.9.4 Waipi`o Valley: K6kua Action. Hawai'i State Legislature K6kua Action 6: Appropriate funds to the County of Hawaii to develop recommendations of lands to be designated Important Agricultural Lands. See the rationale for K6kua Action 6, above. State Land Use Commission K6kua Action 25: Reconsider the State's agriculture land capability class designations to better protect viable taro growing lands. Rationale: In 2008, the Hawaii State Legislature passed Act 211, establishing the Taro Security and Purity Task Force (TSPTF). The Task Force was charged with finding solutions to the problems facing taro production, taro farmers and taro markets. This K6kua Action is consistent with one of their recommendations for improving protections to taro -growing lands and serves to protect taro as a special resource from both an agricultural and a cultural perspective. For more information, see pages 233-239 in Appendix V4A. Bishop Estate, State of Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools K6kua Action 26: Perform a feasibility study on the development of a scenic park (accessible via Mud Lane) with a viewing area of Hi'ilawe Falls in conjunction with the development of Mud Lane into a scenic route. See the related Policy 58 and Policy 59 and their rationale. (GP 12.5.4.2 (d)) and 13.2.5.4.2 (c)). Department of Land and Natural Resources K6kua Action 27: Support reintroduction of H.B. #414 or similar legislation that would provide funding and technical assistance for stream maintenance programs. Draft Hamakua CDP hamakua@hawaiicounty.gov www.hamakuacdp.info