HomeMy WebLinkAboutWaipi'o Valley (Focused Discusstion) Supplementary HandoutDRAFT HAMAKUA FOCUSED DISCUSSION —Waipi'o Valley —May 18,2o16
North Hawaii Education and Research Center (NHERC), Honoka`a
Draft Hamakua CDP
4.9 Preserving Sacred Places: Waipi`o Valley
This section of the CDP identifies Waipi'o Valley and Mauna Kea as sacred places needing special
attention. This section specifically addresses natural and cultural resource protections for both of these
unique areas, but the section also addresses other elements of the CDP that are specific to these places.
4.9.2 Waipi`o Valley as a Wahi Pana
This section prioritizes protecting Waipi'o Valley as a wahi pana, focusing on protecting natural
ecosystems, viewsheds, streams, managing responsible access, and perpetuating Hawaiian culture.
4.9.3 Waip`o Valley: County Action
Policy 54: Designate Waipi'o Valley, including the Valley rim, as a Wahi Pana and create a resource
protection overlay and regulations that will protect Waipi'o Valley's natural resources, preserve its
storied past and perpetuate its agricultural traditions and unique rural lifestyle.
The resource overlays should address the following:
■ Prepare viewshed siting guidelines in the County Zoning Code for parcels along the southeast
and eastern portions of Waipi'o Valley rim (GP Policy 7.3 (b));
■ Extend the SMA boundary beyond Waipi'o Valley on the east and southeast Valley rim to
ensure that greater setbacks and viewshed protections are incorporated into the review of
structures in those areas;
■ Collaborate with the Waipi'o Valley community to develop a long range management plan for
Waipi'o that addresses public access, carrying capacity, resource management, and potential
funding sources for on-going maintenance of streams and roads.
■ Support community organizations such as the Waipi'o Community Circle, The Waipi'o Taro
Farmers Assoc., and Ha Ola O Waipi'o Valley in developing and implementing a community-
based watershed plan based on the Waipi'o Valley Stream Management Plan.
Rationale: In the Hawaiian cultural traditions, the term Wahi Pana is used to recognize "celebrated" and
"storied" places that have significant Native Hawaiian cultural and historical heritage. A Wahi Pana can
be a heiau, royal birth site, legendary site and places of significance for the people who live there. These
sacred places have mana (spiritual power) and are treated with great respect, honor and reverence.
Most of the studies cited in "Previous Waipi'o Valley Related Planning/Studies" recommend designating
Waipi'o Valley as a Wahi Pana due to its significant natural, cultural, historical, and spiritual value.
Comprehensive, regional, conservation, watershed, and open space plans often use resource protection
overlay districts to link land use policies and conservation strategies with specific landscapes. Overlay
zoning is a regulatory tool that creates a special zoning district, placed over an existing base zone(s),
which identifies special provisions in addition to those in the underlying base zone. Regulations or
incentives are attached to the overlay district to protect a specific resource or guide development within
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a special area. This policy, to create an overlay zone, would entail County Code regulations to protect
the Valley's cultural and historical resources through measures such as vehicular access management
measures, establishing scenic vistas, resource protection, etc.
One existing tool that could be used to further viewshed protections is Special Management Area
overlay. Currently the SMA boundary in Waipi'o extends mauka from the shoreline to the bottom of the
Valley walls. The area west and southwest of the Valley is within the Forest Reserve and Special
Management Area, and, therefore, has limited development potential. However, the Valley rim on the
east and southeast sides are within the A -40a Zone District, with the potential for residential and farm
dwelling units. Generally, because the CZM objectives and policies are so comprehensive, the SMA is
the most resource -protective land use policy overlay. CZM policies address recreational resources,
historic resources, scenic and open space resources, coastal ecosystems, coastal hazards, management
of development, beach protection, and marine resources. The SMA process allows the County to apply
reasonable conditions to a proposal to mitigate potential impacts. This policy would apply the SMA
process beyond the Valley rim. Determining where exactly the SMA boundary should be could be done
via preparing a viewshed plan and siting guidelines for the southeast and eastern portions of the valley
rim. This policy action is supported by existing General Plan Policy 7.3 (b) "(b) Develop and establish
view plane regulations to preserve and enhance views of scenic or prominent landscapes from specific
locations, and coastal aesthetic values." See also Section 4.5 Preserve Scenic Areas and Viewsheds for
more policies relating to protecting viewsheds throughout the Planning Area. For the Waipi'o Valley
Stream Management Plan, see here: http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/workshops/08may-wots/2-
%20Ku bo%20-%20Wa i pio%20Va l ley. pdf
For more information, see pages 17, 189, 177, 223-269 in Appendix V4A.
Policy 55: Provide a property tax credit for the perpetual conservation of taro systems on private land
(i.e. agricultural, conservation or cultural easements) for owners and lessees who enter into long term
agreements (20 years) to rehabilitate taro systems to active use.
Rationale: In 2008, the Hawai'i 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 policy 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. This policy is consistent with the Taro Security and Purity
Task Force recommendation to create incentives for active rehabilitation of taro -growing lands that
result in taro lands protection. For more information, see pages 233-239 in Appendix V4A.
Policy 56: Work with farmers, landowners, community organizations and agency partners (Army Corps
of Engineers, State Commission on Water Resources Management (CWRM), State Department of
Health, State Historical Preservation Division) to create a simplified stream maintenance permitting
process for Wailoa Stream and other streams in the Waipi'o Valley.
Rationale: Several studies that have been conducted in Waipi'o Valley have identified the need for a
stream maintenance program to ensure sufficient conditions for the cultivation of taro as well as
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providing flood protection. However, the complexities of the permitting process and the
implementation costs have resulted in minimal implementation of the technical and organizational
suggestions. This policy recognizes that the County should be a party to any effort to streamline a
permitting process. For more information on stream management, see pages 15, 45, 65, 190, 226-269
in Appendix V4A.
Policy 57: Perform a feasibility study on developing a scenic route from the Waipi'o Valley Lookout
extending mauka to connect to Mud Lane at the entrance of Waimea.
Rationale: Improving the mid-section of Mud Lane would provide an alternate/emergency route to
Kukuihaele and the Waipi'o Valley lookout, and potentially mitigate traffic through downtown Honoka'a,
improve travel times between Waipi'o Valley/Kukuihaele and Waimea, and create a loop road for
drivers to travel without needing to backtrack through downtown Honoka'a with each visit to the
Waipi'o Valley Lookout. It would also develop Mud Lane into a safe, improved County road for residents
(currently portions of Mud Lane are impassable for 2 -wheel drive vehicles and the Waimea -side section
of the road is considered a Road -in -Limbo).
However, developing this scenic highway would also be controversial in that it provides an access point
to Waipi'o Valley that allows visitors to by-pass Honoka'a town. While the development of by-pass
routes often becomes necessary as towns grow and traffic congestion increases, this by-pass could
potentially negatively impact those Honoka'a businesses that rely primarily on pass-through visitor
traffic. Therefore, this action is included as an investigatory action to ensure that appropriate
community engagement with residents from Mud Lane (including consultations with the South Kohala
CDP Action Committee), Waipi'o Valley, Kukuihaele, and Honoka'a business owners, is conducted.
This policy is based on General Plan Policy 13.2.5.4.2 (c) "Encourage the State to construct a scenic
highway from the Waipi'o Valley lookout extending mauka to connect to Mud Lane at the entrance of
Waimea. See also related Policy 58.
Policy 58: 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 the scenic highway.
Rationale: This policy is related to and dependent on the implementation of Policy 57, and is based on
General Plan Policy 12.5.4.2 (d) "Encourage the State to develop a scenic park on the Kohala side of
Hi'ilawe Falls in conjunction with the development of the scenic highway." One of the advantages of
developing a scenic park with a view of Hi'ilawe Falls would be to incentivize scenic viewpoints above
the Valley with the goal of minimizing visitor trips into the Valley. To minimize impacts, this park could
be accessible via a pedestrian hiking trail developed along the old cane haul road.
Note: this is an existing "legacy' policy from the General Plan; but the CDP Team has not been able to
verify that it is still physically feasible to create a park in this location with a view of Hi'ilawe Falls. This
policy is included here specifically to solicit community input.
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Policy 59: Encourage the integration of best management practices and an understanding of cultural
values and experiences during the land use application process for any business plans requiring
Planning Department Plan Approval within Waipi'o Valley. (Refer to HCC Chapter 25 Section 2,
Division 7 for more information on Plan Approval)
Rationale: Land use impacts related to the visitor industry have been a source of some concern and
friction in the Valley between local residents and commercial operators. Tourism -related impacts
potentially include trespassing on private property, desecration of sacred sites, and intrusion on the
privacy of Valley residents and the peaceful character of the Valley. However, when properly managed,
the visitor industry can enhance both the physical and the intangible heritage of an area while offering a
positive, peaceful way for communities to express pride in their cultural identity. This policy is related to
General Plan Policy 6.3 (n) "Consider requiring Cultural Assessments for certain developments as part of
the rezoning process;" in that it seeks to specifically address cultural impacts associated with the visitor -
industry, but this policy's focus is on stipulating and educating applicants on culturally appropriate land
use issues and practices to better protect the natural and cultural resources of the Valley, and also to
ensure that the host culture is accurately and respectfully represented. For more information on the
relationship between the tourism industry and Hawaiian culture, see the Hawai'i Tourism Strategic Plan,
2005-2015 located on the web at:
http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/default/assets/File/brand/HawaiianCultureinitiative.pdf.
Policy 60: Develop the Waipi'o Valley Heritage Center, including:
■ Support for its related Educational Programs such as the Waipi'o Education and Information
Program (aka: Waipi'o Valley Rangers Program).
■ Support community-based management of the Waipi'o Valley Heritage Center through a lease
or cooperative use agreement with the County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Rationale: The County has already purchased a 1.804 -acre site for the Visitor Center at the Waipi'o
Valley Lookout (TMK (3)4-8-004:006), which is listed as a Natural Beauty Site in the General Plan Table 7-
7. The Waipi'o Circle, a group of Valley residents and others, have started the planning and manual site
clearing for this facility. This policy seeks to prioritize CIP funding to design and construct the Visitor
Center.
The Waipi'o Education and Information Program was funded by two Hawai'i Tourism Authority Natural
Resources grants obtained by the County Department of Research and Development (R&D). The
purpose of the program is to place guides at the entrance the Valley who will educate visitors about the
Valley's history, its cultural importance, and its unique challenges as actively cultivated agricultural land
in a fragile ecosystem. Waipi'o Valley is the second most visited location on Hawai'i Island. The grant
funding has lapsed, and the County budgeted $70,000 in the 2013/14 Operating Budget to continue this
program until the funds are depleted. Recognizing that this is a valuable resource, this policy seeks to
explore continuous funding mechanisms for the program, which may need to be developed as a new
Department of Parks and Recreation program.
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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.
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Rationale: In early 2013, H.B. No. 414, Waipi'o Valley Advisory Commission, was introduced to the State
Legislature. H.B. No. 414, "Establishes the Waipi'o Valley Advisory Commission to advise the Department
of Land and Natural Resources on the development of a long-term plan for ensuring the proper
stewardship, preservation, and maintenance of Waipi'o Valley." and "Appropriates funds for the design
and construction of flood damage reduction and stream stabilization in Waipi'o Valley." The purpose
and intent of this measure is to promote the proper stewardship, preservation, and maintenance of
Waipi'o Valley on the Island of Hawaii. For more information, see page 263 of Appendix V4A.
State of Hawaii, Governor
Kokua Action 28: Release allocated disaster funding to help taro farmers and residents of Waipi'o
Valley to avoid future flood damage. (TSPTF recommendation)
Rationale: This policy is consistent with the Taro Security and Purity Task Force recommendation to
improve and fund stream maintenance capacity in taro -growing communities. For more information,
see pages 233-239 of Appendix V4A.
State Department of Agriculture
Kokua Action 29: Apply for Specialty Crop Block Grants to strengthen taro production.
Rationale: The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to solely enhance the
competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried
fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Taro would be considered a specialty
crop. This Kokua action asks the State Department of Agriculture to seek block grants to strengthen taro
production. For more information, see pages 265-266 of Appendix V4A.
4.9.5 waipro vaiiey: (-ommunity HCtion
Community Action 16: Form a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity for community empowerment to develop a
Land Management Partnership.
Community Action 17: Develop a detailed Master Plan for Waipi'o Valley, including a community-
based management plan for the Waipi'o Valley Heritage center.
Community Action 18: Secure funding through PONC, DLNR LLCP, or other similar programs for
purchase of easements and potential acquisition of land to protect views of Waipi'o Valley rim.
Community Action 19: Support community organizations, such as the Waipi'o Circle, in developing a
watershed plan based on the Waipi'o Valley Stream Management Plan, the Hanalei Watershed Hui
model or similar community-based management plans.
Community Action 20: Strengthen Community capacity through the Hawaii Community Stewardship
Network.
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