HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0493.108 2000-2002Fred Cachou
F.O. Box 504 ** Kapaau HI ** 96755
North Kohala Historic & Cultural Group
Pounfy Council IP- To ,
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Testimony Delivered to the Hawaii County Council Committee on Planning
Kohala, July 18, 2002
Chair Bobby Jean Leithead- 'odd, members of the Committee on
Planning, aloha kakou. I am Tied Cachola, Jr., born and raised in Kohala
and a property owner. Like many of the previous speakers, I am proud to
call this special place my home.
The plantation era ended about 30 years ago, and since then, it is becoming
more evident that one of the most viable options and major trends for
Kohala's future is the visitor industry. Visitors from all over the world come
to Kohala to enjoy its open views from the mountains to the ocean, to
explore Kohala's unique Historic and sacred sites, to participate in the rich
cultural traditions of the district, to seek solace and serenity in the beauty of
our natural environments. Therefore, to insure that Kohala continues to be a
vibrant, thriving community it is absolutely imperative that we do everything
possible to preserve our open view planes, our historic and sacred sites and
our rural, cultural traditions.
The actions of this committee in considering policies for the long-
range development ofKohala's physical landscape will definitely have a
major impact in detern- ining our economic future.
I urge you to adopt the previous speakers' strong recommendations to
designate the Kohala coastline - `Conservation and Open;' ... to clearly
establish the six drivable access routes from Akoni Fide Hwy. to the
coastline... to insert the word "'priority" in preserving existing view planes
to and along the coastline, and to establish a room -cap for visitor facilities in
the district..
I concur with the over all Goals, Policies and Standards set forth in the
Historic Sites section of your General Plait. In addition, I suggest that your
committee draft an ordinance that will create a County Historic and Cultural.
Preservation Commission ...as are currently operating in the Maui and
Kauai County and soon in the Honolulu County. I met with staff of the State
Historic Preservation Division yesterday, and confirmed that that have
identified. 8000 archaeological sites on Hawaii and there may be many more,
because they have completed only 80% of their survey. Almost one fourth
of the sites are in North Kohala, 1850. By comparison, the rest of our island
chain., i.e. all the other islands combined have only 7000. It is ob ' as
Re Ilio.
Ref. r-0.
Hof. Dau M
unlike the other islands, the Big Island has fortunately by accident or design,
saved many of its archaeological sites from destruction and unchecked
development. However encroachments on the cultural landscapes of Hawaii
are increasing rapidly, especially in West Hawaii. The proper care,
protection and management of our county's rich and numerous cultural
resources will be enhanced by the creation of this county commission -
hopefully filled with members of kamaaina residents and kupuna who are
caring and carrying on the traditions associated with these archaeological
sites in their respective moku and ahupuaa. By the way, of the 1850
archaeological sites found in Kohala only 17 are listed on the State Historic
Sites Registry... and most of them are historic homes and buildings.
I would also suggest that this committee intiate affirmative action to
create a `twin-wan" proposition by establishing tax credits and other similar
financial incentives for property owners who set aside land areas known to
have significant viewing planes and/or historical and cultural value. Such
incentives already exist for homes and residences that are placed on the State
Historic sites registry. Why not expand that benefit for property owners who
preserve land areas to maintain our magnificient viewing planes and to
protect and preserve land areas with significant sacred, historic and cultural
value? Why limit this tax credit only for property owners of historic homes?
Kohala's population has clanged dramatically since the Plantation
era. ..and will continue to change over the years. The "kupa o ka aina" of
Kohala are few. Many other people in Kohala who truly believe and practice
aloha for our aina, will continue to the best of their ability ... to malama the
precious historic and culutral resources they inheritied from their kupuna,
But without the kokua and continuing support of this Planning Commission,
it will become increasingly difficult, if not impossible for Kohala to remain
Kohala and to maintain its maria as a place of destiny.
Mahalo for coming to Kohala and allowing us to provide input to assist you
in your challenging task of developing long range policies for the future of
our sacred aina.
a.,