HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0666.003 2006-2008 Hawaii County Clerk
counciltestimony~co.hawaii.hi.us
To: Hawaii County Council
Committee on Planning
The Honorable K. Angel Pilago, Chair
The Honorable Dominic Yagong, Vice-Chair
From: Laura C Schuster
Committee Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2007
1:00 pm
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa
Subject: Support of Council Bill 176
Establishing a Hawaii County
Cultural Resources Commission
I am writing as a member of the Preservation Taskforce group and as a community member in
support of Council Bill 176, establishing a Hawaii County Cultural Resources Commission.
I have been involved with preservation in Hawaii since 1973, having worked for both state and
federal agencies and private contracting firms that support the protection and preservation of all
cultural resources from objects to buildings including landscapes. Each cultural resource type helps
to preserve a bit of the past for the present and future generations.
The County of Hawaii is fortunate to have some of the most intact historic resources remaining in
the state. To ensure that Hawaii Island protects the significant pieces of history for the future, it is
imperative that the County of Hawau take the position of leader in preserving our resources. This
Bill would help to move Hawaii County into that leadership role. The Bill would benefit not only the
resources, but communities would be preserved, local history would be preserved, and visitors and
businesses would benefit from the preservation of our significant resources and the interpretation of
these resources.
Critical to the success of a Cultural Resource Commission would be to have responsible professional
local leaders as part of the commission membership. Concurrently, to ensure the success of the
Cultural Resources Commission adequate funding that supports a cultural resource professional and
clerical staff is a prerequisite.
I support you in your effort to protect the irreplaceable historic and cultural resources of Hawaii
County.
Very truly yours,
Laura C Schuster
Comm: Noy ~o G !o .3
Ref. To:
Fief. Dote