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Home My WebLink AboutCD4 Bill- Historic Place Marker Program COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I STATE OF HAWAI‘I BILL NO. ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO THE HISTORIC PLACE MARKER PROGRAM. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI ‘ I: SECTION 1 . Findings and purpose. The council finds that the traditional Hawaiian land division system of moku and ahupuaʻa reflects generations of cultural, geographic, ecological, and resource-management knowledge. Increasing public awareness of these traditional land divisions strengthens place-based identity, perpetuates traditional place names and moʻolelo, and encourages greater understanding and stewardship of Hawaiʻi Island’s cultural and natural resources. The council further finds that the installation of historic markers identifying moku and ahupuaʻa can provide residents and visitors with a greater understanding of the lands through which they travel. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a coordinated Historic Place Marker Program to identify, install, maintain, and document moku and ahupuaʻa boundary identification markers throughout Hawai‘i Island. SECTION 2 . Chapter 14 of the Hawai‘i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended) is amended by adding a new article to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: “ Article 14. Historic Place Marker Program. Section 14-177. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context requires otherwise: “Ahupuaʻa” means a traditional Hawaiian land division within a moku, generally extending from the uplands toward the sea and historically recognized as a geographic, cultural, and resource management unit. “Historic place marker” means the County’s official record of historic markers installed pursuant to this article and may include, as appropriate, the location of markers, traditional place names, moku and ahupuaʻa boundaries, maps, historical and cultural information, archival materials, photographs, oral histories, and other information that supports public understanding of Hawaiʻi Island’s history, culture, and landscapes. “Historic place marker inventory” means a County-installed sign or marker identifying the boundary of a traditional moku or ahupuaʻa pursuant to this article. “Moku” means a traditional Hawaiian regional land division consisting of multiple ahupuaʻa, generally running from the mountains to the sea. Section 14-178. Program established. (a) There is established a historic place marker program for the purpose of identifying and recognizing the traditional moku and ahupuaʻa of Hawaiʻi Island through the installation of historic markers and the development and maintenance of a historic place marker inventory. The program shall: (i) Increase public awareness of Hawai‘i Island’s traditional land divisions and traditional place names; (ii) Promote understanding of the cultural, historical, and environmental significance of moku and ahupuaʻa; (iii) Preserve and perpetuate traditional place names and the cultural identity associated with those places; (iv) Establish and maintain the historic place marker inventory; (v) Establish a coordinated county process for the planning, design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of historic markers; and (vi) Promote consistency in the identification of moku and ahupuaʻa throughout the County. Section 14-179. Program administration. The planning department shall administer the program in coordination with the department of public works, department of research and development, and other appropriate State agencies. (a) The planning department shall: (i) Administer and coordinate the program; (ii) Coordinate research necessary to identify the traditional moku and ahupuaʻa of Hawaiʻi Island and appropriate locations for historic markers; (iii) Consult, as appropriate, with the cultural resources commission, relevant county and state agencies, cultural practitioners, lineal descendants, educational institutions, historians, and other persons or entities with relevant knowledge; (iv) Coordinate with the department of public works and appropriate state agencies regarding the location and installation of historic markers; (v) Develop the historic marker implementation plan required by this article; and (vi) Maintain the historic place marker inventory. (b) The department of public works shall: (i) Review proposed marker locations to ensure compatibility with roadway safety and maintenance requirements; (ii) Develop or approve marker specifications, including materials, dimensions, mounting systems, reflectivity, and other technical specifications; (iii) Fabricate, procure, install, inspect, repair, replace, and maintain historic markers installed pursuant to this article; and (iv) Coordinate with the hawaiʻi department of transportation regarding any historic marker proposed within a State roadway or State right-of-way. 2 (c) The department of research and development shall: (i) Assist the planning department in expanding the historic place marker inventory to include historical, cultural, and geographic information associated with each moku and ahupuaʻa; (ii) Develop partnerships to collect and preserve historical information, photographs, maps, oral histories, and other materials appropriate for inclusion in the inventory; (iii) Identify and pursue grants and other funding opportunities to support the continued development of the historic place marker inventory; and (iv) Support public access to the inventory through digital tools and educational resources developed in coordination with the planning department. Section 14-180. Historic markers. (a) The historic place marker program shall consist of boundary markers identifying the moku and ahupua‘a of Hawai‘i Island. (b) Historic place markers may be installed at or near the boundaries of moku and ahupuaʻa on county property, State property, private property, or other lands, subject to the approval of the property owner or governmental agency having jurisdiction over the proposed location. (c) Historic place markers shall be designed primarily for clear identification by the public and shall be appropriate for the location in which they are installed. Markers located along roadways shall be designed for identification by motorists and shall minimize text, graphics, or other visual elements that may distract drivers. (d) Historic markers shall identify the applicable moku or ahupuaʻa using standardized county-approved designs and shall include the proper Hawaiian spelling and diacritical marks. Section 14-181. Historic Place Marker Implementation Plan. (a) Within twelve months following the effective date of this ordinance, the planning department shall develop, in coordination with the department of public works, and transmit to the Council a historic place marker implementation plan. The implementation plan shall identify: (i) A map identifying the moku and ahupuaʻa of Hawaiʻi Island; (ii) The proposed location of historic markers identifying the boundaries of each moku and ahupuaʻa; (iii) Standard marker design specifications; (iv) Estimated fabrication, installation, and maintenance costs; and (v) A schedule for installation. (b) Within six months following transmittal of the historic place marker implementation plan, the department of public works shall complete installation of the historic markers. Section 14-182. Permit exemption. (a) Historic markers installed by the county pursuant to this article within county rights-of-way or on county property shall be exempt from county permit requirements otherwise applicable to sign installation. 3 (b) Nothing in this section exempts the county from obtaining approvals or permits required by the hawaiʻi department of transportation or any other governmental agency having jurisdiction over property outside County ownership or control. Section 14-183. Effect of historic markers. (a) Historic markers installed pursuant to this article are intended solely for historical, educational, and cultural recognition. (b) The placement of a historic marker shall not establish, alter, or constitute evidence of a legal property boundary, governmental jurisdiction, zoning boundary, easement, or ownership interest. SECTION 2 . Severability. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or application of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are severable. SECTION 3 . This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval. INTRODUCED BY: _______________________________________ Ashley L. Kierkiewicz COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I ______________, Hawai‘i Date of Introduction: Date of 1st Reading: Date of 2nd Reading: Effective Date: 4