Case Proposes Acquisition of 656 Acres for Inclusion in HI Volcanoes National Park

NEWS RELEASE August 1, 2005

Case proposes acquisition of 656 acres at Big Island's Kahuku Ranch for inclusion in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
He also reintroduces bills asking to include two Maui coastal areas into National Park system

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Ed Case has introduced a bill in the U.S. House to authorize expansion of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island by authorizing the purchase of an additional 656 acres at Kahuku Ranch.

The land is between the 1,000 and 2,000-foot elevation mark in the Kahuku district, makai (oceanside) of State Highway 11, along the southwest rift zone of Mauna Loa, one of the world's most massive volcanoes. The property is part of the historic Kahuku Ranch, most of which has already been added to the park.

"The geologic features of the proposed acquisition-three large pit craters-provide vestiges of native forest and other unique attributes," said Case. "The property also includes ranch buildings, walls, and pasture lands that are reminiscent of nineteenth and early twentieth century ranching and contain remnant ranchlands that are not currently represented to the public by any national Park in Hawaii," said Case. "The ranch buildings would provide space for a much-needed satellite headquarters for this portion of the 333,000-acre park."

Case has also reintroduced two bills that direct the National Park Service to determine whether coastline areas along Maui's north shore between Paia and Spreckelsville and south shore from Ahihi-Kinau Natural Reserve to Kanaloa Point could be included as units in the National Park system.

The south shore area, Case said, could be protected as a national seashore, historic park or recreation area. "The desire of the people of Maui is to have the natural, scenic, and cultural resources of this unique area preserved and protected from development, and ultimately designated as the Patsy Takemoto Mink North Shore Heritage Park," said Case as he introduced this proposal entitled the "North Maui Coastal Preservation Act of 2005."

Case noted that his predecessor in the U.S. House, the late Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink, was born and raised in Hamakua Poko near Paia, which is part of the area. "If the Park Service finds that the area merits inclusion in the National Park system, I will introduce legislation authorizing establishment of the park and directing that it be named after Congresswoman Mink."

Case said the people of Maui have made it clear to him through personal meetings, town meetings, and petitions and postcards from 2,000 people that they want to preserve the coastline. He also credited the advocacy of the Maui Sierra Club and community activist Lance Holter for inspiring the introduction of the bill.

If the bill is approved, the National Park Service would assess whether the designated area, about 130 acres near, around and including Baldwin Park, meets a number of criteria in order to qualify as a site of national significance. The study would include an evaluation of the area's natural and cultural themes, opportunities for public enjoyment or scientific study, uniqueness in the National Park system, and potential for being administered at a reasonable cost.

The other bill Case has reintroduced, the "South Maui Coastal Preservation Act of 2005," would examine the possible federal acquisition of lands from and including the state Ahihi-Kinau Natural Reserve to Kanaloa Point. The study would help determine whether the designated area of coastline should be preserved as a National Seashore, National Recreation Area, National Monument, National Preserve, or other unit of the National Park Service, said Case.

"The area is rich in archaeological, cultural, historical, and natural resources. Important sites in the proposed park area contain remnants of dwellings, heiau (places of worship), fishing shrines, and many other structures that date back to 1100 A.D. This portion of the southern coast is also the home of unique native plants and animals, some of which are endangered," said Case.

The County of Maui and Hawaii State Legislature have expressed support for having the area designated as a National Park. An earlier survey by the National Park Service determined that the area deserved protection, but not as a National Park because most of the land was owned by the state. "However, I believe the expressions of support for National Park Service control of the area by the county and state offer a firm basis for moving forward. Therefore, I have included a provision in my bill to ensure that the proposed study includes consultation with the State of Hawaii to assess the feasibility of transferring some or all of the state lands in the area to the federal government, said Case.

"The state has lacked the funds to effectively manage and protect these resources. These resources deserve the high level of protection that inclusion in the National Park Service system would provide."

http://wwwc.house.gov/case/press_releases/2005-52.html