1/14/21:  The Honolulu City Council Committee on Zoning and Planning rejected the proposal to repeal the O‘ahu Historic Preservation Commission at its hearing on January 14, 2021.

Councilmembers said that they preferred to review the ordinance, address any out of date or unworkable provisions, and then to refresh and strengthen the ordinance. Councilmembers Kia‘āina and Cordero said they would work with stakeholders to review and propose amendments to improve the existing ordinance. The committee said that “repeal is out of the question” and they much prefer to utilize this tool to ensure a robust historic preservation program for the City & County of Honolulu.

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation thanks the Councilmembers for their thoughtfulness and openness to new information, and to members of the public who shared the importance of historic and cultural resources for O‘ahu’s communities.

1/13/21: The proposal to repeal the O‘ahu Historic Preservation Commission is being considered at a public hearing on Thursday, January 14 at 9:00 a.m. See below for background and context related  to the proposal. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation opposes the proposal.

The City and County of Honolulu City Council Committee on Zoning, Planning and Housing will consider the measure at the request of the Department of Planning and Permitting.

Submit written testimony by 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 14 and/or testify virtually. Click here to submit online testimony.  Agenda item is CC-215.

Click here for the MEETING AGENDA. 
Click here to read the Draft Committee Report on the Review and Evaluation of the O‘ahu Historic Preservation Commission CC-215(20)
See sample testimony below.

8/25/20:  A proposal to repeal the O‘ahu Historic Preservation Commission will be the subject of the public hearing on Thursday, August 27. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation opposes the proposal.

The City and County of Honolulu City Council Committee on Zoning, Planning and Housing will consider the measure at the request of the Department of Planning and Permitting.

BACKGROUND and CONTEXT
The purpose of the O‘ahu Historic Preservation Commission was to establish a means by which the City & County of Honolulu could formulate and implement a comprehensive program for the identification and preservation of historic and cultural resources on O‘ahu.

In response to a mandate for periodic review of all City boards and commissions, the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) evaluated the O‘ahu Historic Preservation Commission. In 1993, City Council passed enabling legislation for the Commission via Ordinance 93-55 and enacted it in Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Section 3 Article 10. Despite clear policy directive and authority from Council, successive administrations failed to establish the Historic Preservation Commission, leading to the current recommendation to remove it from the ordinances.

In Hawai‘i, three of the four Counties have established preservation commissions that are consistent with Federal framework and the State’s Certified Local Government (CLG) program. Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Counties all have local historic preservation or cultural resource commissions.

The purposes of these citizen boards are to:

1. Encourage historic preservation at the local level;

2. Encourage local governments to follow the national standards for archaeology and historic buildings, sites, structures and districts in developing and administering their preservation programs;

3. Provide technical assistance through a partnership with the State Historic Preservation Division; and

4. Provide participating counties with funding to underwrite various historic preservation activities.

HISTORIC HAWAI‘I FOUNDATION COMMENTS
The draft committee report states that the O‘ahu Historic Preservation Commission is redundant to other land use controls (such as special districts), committees (such as the Design Advisory Committee) and State functions (via the State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources).

However, this analysis mistakes the larger purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission. The purpose of a partnership is to complement, not duplicate, the efforts of each of the components listed by DPP.

  • The Commission can help the City with proactive identification of properties that tell the full story of Hawaii’s history, not merely react to proposals brought forward piecemeal.
  • The Commission can assist with planning and design activities undertaken by City departments to ensure preservation considerations and standards are integrated from the initial concept development, thereby avoiding conflicts later in the construction or approval processes.
  • The Commission can help establish standards and guidelines for the treatment of historic properties that are not located within the City’s few special design districts. While those districts are vital for the protection of Chinatown, Hale‘iwa, ‘Ewa Plantation Villages, the Capital District and others, additional historic properties—both archaeological and architectural—are not located in those areas and are prevented from benefitting from those protections.

The City & County would benefit from retaining and implementing its Preservation Commission and enrolling in the State’s Certified Local Government program. The CLG grant program can provide financial assistance for start-up projects, including a Planning for Preservation program that allows newly-established preservation commissions to work closely with a preservation specialist. CLG grants can be used for planning, survey and evaluation, preparing National Register of Historic Places nominations, developing procedures to protect properties, and for public education projects.

Links & Downloads

How to Testify

Persons wishing to testify are requested to register by 9 a.m. on the day of the hearing as follows:

  1. On-Line Here
  2. By faxing to 768-3827 your name, phone number and the agenda item;
  3. By calling 768-3825.
  4. By submitting oral testimony via Webex (see agenda for details).

Let your voice be heard by our public officials. Submit testimony in person, online or via fax.

Mahalo for your assistance in protecting Hawaii’s heritage!

SAMPLE TESTIMONY

To: The Honorable Brandon J.C. Elefante, Chair
The Honorable Esther Kiaʻāina, Vice Chair
Honolulu City Council Committee on Zoning, Planning & Housing

From: [NAME][ADDRESS][PHONE/EMAIL]

Committee Date: Thursday, January 14, 2021  9:00 a.m.
City Council Chamber

Subject: CC-215 (2020) Draft Committee Report on the Review and Evaluation of the O‘ahu Historic Preservation Commission Pursuant to Ordinance 17-44

I am writing in opposition to the proposal to repeal the Oahu Historic Preservation Commission. Although the City and County of Honolulu has failed to enact this citizen board for the protection and preservation of Oahu’s historic resources, the need is still very real and urgent. As forces from urbanization, economic development and natural disasters all bring pressure against historic and cultural resources, it is more important than ever to have a systematic and reliable way to vet land use and development proposals for their direct and cumulative impacts on Oahu’s heritage sites, buildings, objects and districts.

Rather than abandon a board without ever giving it the opportunity to provide value to Oahu communities, we suggest that Council use this opportunity to recommit to its established policy and strengthen its practice of preserving, conserving and protecting historic properties for the public benefit. The landscapes, buildings and sites that we preserve are part of a community’s unique character and story. They provide tangible links from the past to existing communities and provide benefit to future generations.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Sincerely,

[SIGNATURE]