Advocacy

Feb. 5, 2021: Mālama Hulēʻia is collaborating with the Trust for Public Land to purchase the 600-year old Alakoko Fishpond (also known as Alekoko Fishpond and Menehune Fishpond) on Kauaʻi for $3 million. The nonprofit has already been at work for the past few years to restore the pond, remove invasive growth, and engage thousands of volunteers while promoting place-based education.  Mālama Hulēʻia was in negotiation with the property owner for a 20-year lease when the owner offered to sell. Protecting Alakoko will provide impactful community benefits: restoring a healthy watershed, river, and native wetland ecosystem; preserving a beloved cultural site and outdoor classroom for ʻāina-based education; and increasing sustainable aquaculture and food security for Kaua‘i.   - Mālama Hulē‘ia The fishpond was designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The statement of significance found that the site “is the most significant fishpond on Kaua‘i, both in Hawaiian legends and folklore and in the eyes of Kaua‘i’s people today…Its antiquity makes it the oldest fishpond on Kaua‘i…it is the best example of an inland fishpond in the entire state.”  The nomination recommended that the site be preserved as a historical park. In 2009, the fishpond was listed as one of Hawai‘i’s Most Endangered Historic Places by HHF, in cooperation with the Hawai‘i State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Honolulu Magazine. The designation flagged the site as vulnerable to neglect, invasive species and potential development. Mālama Hulē‘ia efforts to establish a stewardship program to address long-term maintenance and restoration needs is an important step towards its preservation. HHF has written a letter in its support of the hui's efforts to preserve and protect this special place, including [...]

February 5, 2021: The opening session of the 2021 Hawaii State Legislature was held on January 20th. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation has identified some 20 bills directly related to historic preservation and another 75 related to environment, land use, development, culture, burials or specific historic sites. HHF Executive Director Kiersten Faulkner will monitor these 95 bills and is responding to committee notices and submit testimony as needed.  Staff will issue action alerts for larger issues if they have momentum. To be informed of future opportunities to advocate for legislation that supports historic preservation, please sign up for Historic Hawai‘i Foundation's Action Alerts email list by leaving at message at (808)523-2900 x26 or emailing us at Outreach@historichawaii.org. General list and descriptions of bills: HB245/SB570: Relating to Historic Preservation (HP); amends the definition of “historic property” to require 50 years & Hawai‘i Register eligibility. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation submitted testimony in support of the intent of the measure with additional recommendations. HB320/SB956: relating to HP; makes it a civil and administrative violation to violate terms of archaeological approvals; HB547: relating to federal lands; creates a Makua Planning task force w/in DLNR; HB623/SB898: relating to the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. Appropriates federal funds to support the work of the State of Hawai‘i Museum of Natural and Cultural History. HHF submitted testimony in support of the measure. 2/3/21: the committee on CAI recommended the measure be deferred. HB705: relating to CIP in House district 45; appropriates funds for some unspecified project either in vicinity of or relating to Kukaniloko; HB321/SB510: relating to HP; authorizes a program to delegate 6E-42 review to the counties, and a program to establish 3rd party reviews; HB854: Relating to the State Capitol; Directs DAGS to come [...]

9/21/20: The Hawai‘i Historic Places Review Board added nineteen properties to the Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places in May 2020 and approved updates to three properties previously listed on the historic register. Properties are eligible for inclusion in the register if they meet one or more criteria of historic significance: A) association with broad patterns or events; B) associations with historic individuals; C) architecture and design; or D) likely to yield important information. Yamato Store and Garage, Hawai‘i Island The Yamamoto Store and Garage, built in 1919, was a retail store and garage with a second story dedicated to residential space. The store and garage are significant under Criterion A at the local level typifying structures illustrative of the hard work of immigrants to improve their economic status and as an incubator for the entrepreneurial dreams of Japanese Issei and Nisei to find employment off the plantations. Kojiro Yamato’s success in farming paved the way for him to establish successful enterprises that in turn allowed him to support a large family and provide advanced education and new career opportunities for the next generation. It is also significant under Criterion C as a good example of plantation era architecture of a commercial building constructed in Hawai‘i comprised of wood, single-wall construction and an early example of building a structure for commercial purposes up to the street property line. The Yamato Store, with its façade’s display windows, recessed entry, double-hung windows, bracketed cornice, and façade-length pent-roofed awning is typical of these early twentieth century wood commercial buildings. It is also an outstanding example of the growing impact of “automobile prosperity” in rural Hawaiʻi in the 1920s. 1210 Ward Avenue Office Building, O‘ahu The 1210 Ward Avenue Office [...]

1/27/21 News Alert from the National Trust for Historic Preservation: Preservationists around the country have been seriously concerned about proposed changes to the regulations governing the National Register of Historic Places since they were first proposed in 2019.  Last fall, despite an outpouring of public concern about the proposal, the new rule was forwarded for review by the Office of Information & Regulatory Affairs at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget.  The proposed rule changes would primarily concern National Register nominations of federally owned properties and the process whereby property owners in historic districts object to nominations. During the review process, historic preservation advocacy organizations, state historic preservation offices, tribal governments, and tribal organizations pressed hard to make the case that the rule should be dropped.  As a result, it was not finalized prior to the presidential transition and is not expected to be pursued by the Biden Administration.  This is a big win that demonstrates the strength of the historic preservation movement when we work together on policy priorities. More details about the proposal are available on the Preservation Leadership Forum. Biden Administration Acts to Review National Monument Revocations As one of President Biden’s first acts in office, an Executive Order was issued directing the Secretary of the Interior to review the revocation of the Bears Ears National Monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monument. The Secretary is required to complete the review and submit a report to the president within 60 days with recommendations for actions consistent with the Antiquities Act. The ongoing litigation challenging these monument revocations will likely be stayed while this review is completed and the next steps are determined. It is [...]

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 [...]