HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0666.027 2006-2008 To: Hawai'iCountyCouncil _-,j ~t~l'.I '7 ~~nl i ~ ~
The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chair
From: Marge Elwell
President ofNa'alehu Main Street
Subject: Support of Bill 176
Establishing a Hawai i County
Cultural Resources Commission
November 7, 2007
I am here to support Bill 176, on the behalf of The Board of Na'alehu Main Street and
our members. Several concerns have come to light since our second hearing, especially the effective date of
implementation due to time needed for the appropriation of funds for the staff position. It is my understanding that the
bill could be passed with the amendment or could go forward without this condition or could pass as a separate bill. But
the most important concern is that the inventory, survey and nomination of historical properties is critical to the
eligibility to become a Certified Local Government (CLG) which would access federal funding and technical
assistance. While the state has the responsibility, it would make sense to have a single integrated system that both state
and county could contribute to and use. The third concern is the magnitude of the task if the CRC were to review
permits and other matters. One solution would be to have a category of actions so as not to duplicate other functions or
become a bottleneck. 1 am recommending to leave the enabling language in the bill as is and then address the issue of
work volume in the follow-up rules and technical standards. However if this approach is not accepted, general language
that enables the CRC to comment on all county projects that may affect historic sites could be suggested.
Thank you for this opportunity again. I commend you for taking up this task.
Mahalo
Marge Elwell
President ofNa'alehu Main Street
P.O. Box 107
Na alehu , Hawai' i 96772-0 l 07
www.naalehu.org
808-929-7236 (H)
808-557-8100 (C)
808-929-8322 (F)
Comm. No.__~~~ C.i
Ref. To: ~ tu~:l
Ref. Uate NDV 7 2007