HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	23
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of land and NATURAL resources to establish a task force to propose a community-based stewardship program for polihale state park on the island of kauai.

 

 

 

        WHEREAS, Polihale State Park, located on the west to northwest end of Kauai, possesses a large expanse of sand and shoreline against a background of sand dunes that, together with other areas of the park, are known to contain the remains of native Hawaiian burials; and

 

        WHEREAS, beach goers and park users reportedly drive their motor vehicles and recreational vehicles on the sand and among the dunes for camping, boating, and recreational purposes; and

 

        WHEREAS, overuse and abuse of the beach and camping area led the Department of Land and Natural Resources to shut down the park in the summer of 2020; and

 

        WHEREAS, community discussions about the future management of the park include a stewardship agreement to cover issues such as capital improvement projects to protect the dunes and entry road from damage, facilitating access to the park, improving parking conditions, and properly maintaining camping areas; and

 

        WHEREAS, these discussions also include ways to mitigate the concerns raised by the lineal and cultural descendant families who have burial sites in the area; now, therefore,

 

        BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to establish a task force to propose a community-based stewardship program to address capacity access, fishing, surfing, and vehicle use for Polihale State Park on Kauai; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to invite the following persons to serve on the task force:

 

        (1)   An official from the Office of the Governor;

 

        (2)   Members of the Legislature;

 

        (3)   Staff from its own department;

 

        (4)   An official from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Kauai; and

 

        (5)   Residents of the County of Kauai; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to report the task force's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2022; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

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