Friday, March 29, 2024
Hawai'i Free Press

Current Articles | Archives

Sunday, April 20, 2014
Historic Preservation: Public Denounces Amended Drafts of SB2633 and HB1678
By News Release @ 1:46 AM :: 5571 Views :: Development, Hawaii History

Public Denounces Amended Drafts of SB2633 and HB1678

by Lisa Davidson Senate Minority Blog, April 17, 2014

Rarely has a draft amendment created such a stir after the initial introduction of a bill—in this case, two similar bills. Both SB2633 SD1 HD1 and HB1678 HD1 SD1 attempt to amend the definition of “historic property” by exempting residential properties. Opposition has been voiced across the board, from testimony by architectural firms, archaeological societies, Hawaiian cultural groups, to concerned e-mail by private citizens from Waialea Bay to Kailua-Kona. And perhaps most significantly, as noted by Dr. Mark Nokes in a message to Senator Slom and his legislative colleagues, “The public were denied the opportunity to testify on these changes.”

The bills were originally introduced in an effort to protect culturally significant historic sites. However, the poorly constructed amendments are deeply flawed. “The SD1 version of this bill opens the door for all kinds of abuse by land speculators and developers,” wrote a concerned citizen. Glenn Mason, AIA, President of Mason Architects, submitted testimony pointing out two major flaws: “First, on its face it appears to establish that historic residences are less important than other properties, and … would set a dangerous precedent that is contrary to Federal preservation law and interpretations. The second major flaw is the assumption that the current law imposes onerous time delays in getting building permits. My own experience as an architect working on historic residences has shown this not to be true.”

Joe Ferraro, FAIA, LEED AP, Principal of Ferraro Choi, stated that “Hawaii’s historic houses are a significant part of our state’s historic and cultural resources. They are links to where Hawaii’s kupuna lived, where they raised their children, and the neighborhoods that were formed around them. They represent a building type that was in many cases designed by local and immigrant tradesmen rather than through architectural commissions. They are no less important than other architectural works and are irreplaceable treasures.”

Historic residential buildings in jeopardy.

Historic residential buildings in jeopardy.

Dr. Sara Collins, Legislative Chair of the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology, spoke for over 150 professionals when she wrote, “Residential construction projects can often have an effect on non-architectural historic properties, such as human burials or buried cultural layers, which are adjacent to the structures or are potentially disturbed during project related excavation.” In other words, as one protestor put it, “At the last minute the two above bills were radically changed to exempt burial sites, trails and heiau from Hawaii’s historic Preservation Law. The public was denied opportunity to comment on these changes. What kind of Democracy is that?”

Writing in strong opposition to SB2633 SD1, Executive Director of the Historic Hawaii Foundation, Kiersten Faulkner, noted that current regulations define “historic properties as any building, structure, object, district, area, or site, including heiau and underwater site, which is over fifty years old.” Unfortunately this definition disregards “two additional criteria used to screen properties: historic significance and integrity.”

“The historic and cultural resources of Hawaii are a great legacy and irreplaceable treasures. No less than other types of historic properties, the homes and neighborhoods of Hawaii depict the architectural, social and economic history of the Islands. The natural beauty of Hawaii is complemented by its neighborhoods, small towns, vernacular architecture, blend of indoor and outdoor design features, and other characteristics … The houses of Hawaii are a reflection of its physical setting and social history.”

The classic YWCA building is in the historic registry.

The classic YWCA building is in the historic registry.

Hawaii’s Thousand Friends provided two examples of two potentially devastating losses if the bills pass: “1) The former navy officer housing at Kalaeloa now owned by Hunt Corporation … has been allowed to deteriorate. The only thing keeping these residences from being demolished is their 50-year old status. Pass this amendment and they are gone. 2) In Maunawili Valley, on Oahu, the home where Queen Liliuokalani rested on her trips around the island and where she was inspired to write Aloha ‘Oe still exists … Will passage of this bill give the landowner the ammunition needed to demolish this historic residence?”

"Beautiful mansion bulldozed ..."

“Beautiful mansion bulldozed …”

Dr. Robert Fox of Honolulu commented, “Case in Point. Alii Nui Princess Ruth Kekauliki’s beautiful mansion in town was bulldozed and now all we have are postcards and old photos. Is this the way to treat the heritage of the Hawaiian state and its people? Please think for the long term …” Another example offered was the famous architect, Vladimir Ossipoff, who did create public buildings, yet the majority of his work—considered art—was residential. In another e-mail, a private citizen called the bills “a back door attack on cultural and environmental protections for the benefit of corporate and other big bucks speculation,” a motivation mentioned by many.

Perhaps the clearest, simplest objection voiced was: “Please respect cultural sites. Another Target or McDonalds we do not need.”

If you have strong feelings on these bills, please let Senator Slom know your views. As always, you can reach him directly on his cell phone, (808) 349-5438. As the Legislative Session winds down, time is running out.

Links

TEXT "follow HawaiiFreePress" to 40404

Register to Vote

2aHawaii

808 Silent Majority

Aloha Pregnancy Care Center

AntiPlanner

Antonio Gramsci Reading List

A Place for Women in Waipio

Ballotpedia Hawaii

Broken Trust

Build More Hawaiian Homes Working Group

Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii

Cliff Slater's Second Opinion

DVids Hawaii

FIRE

Fix Oahu!

Frontline: The Fixers

Genetic Literacy Project

Grassroot Institute

Habele.org

Hawaii Aquarium Fish Report

Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society

Hawaii Catholic TV

Hawaii Christian Coalition

Hawaii Cigar Association

Hawaii ConCon Info

Hawaii Debt Clock

Hawaii Defense Foundation

Hawaii Family Forum

Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United

Hawaii Farmer's Daughter

Hawaii Federalist Society

Hawaii Federation of Republican Women

Hawaii History Blog

Hawaii Homeschool Association

Hawaii Jihadi Trial

Hawaii Legal News

Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance

Hawaii Matters

Hawaii's Partnership for Appropriate & Compassionate Care

Hawaii Public Charter School Network

Hawaii Rifle Association

Hawaii Shippers Council

Hawaii Smokers Alliance

Hawaii State Data Lab

Hawaii Together

HIEC.Coop

HiFiCo

Hiram Fong Papers

Homeschool Legal Defense Hawaii

Honolulu Moms for Liberty

Honolulu Navy League

Honolulu Traffic

House Minority Blog

Imua TMT

Inouye-Kwock, NYT 1992

Inside the Nature Conservancy

Inverse Condemnation

Investigative Project on Terrorism

July 4 in Hawaii

Kakaako Cares

Keep Hawaii's Heroes

Land and Power in Hawaii

Legislative Committee Analysis Tool

Lessons in Firearm Education

Lingle Years

Managed Care Matters -- Hawaii

Malama Pregnancy Center of Maui

MentalIllnessPolicy.org

Military Home Educators' Network Oahu

Missile Defense Advocacy

MIS Veterans Hawaii

NAMI Hawaii

Natatorium.org

National Christian Foundation Hawaii

National Parents Org Hawaii

NFIB Hawaii News

No GMO Means No Aloha

Not Dead Yet, Hawaii

NRA-ILA Hawaii

Oahu Alternative Transport

Obookiah

OHA Lies

Opt Out Today

OurFutureHawaii.com

Patients Rights Council Hawaii

PEACE Hawaii

People vs Machine

Practical Policy Institute of Hawaii

Pritchett Cartoons

Pro-GMO Hawaii

P.U.E.O.

RailRipoff.com

Rental by Owner Awareness Assn

ReRoute the Rail

Research Institute for Hawaii USA

Rick Hamada Show

RJ Rummel

Robotics Organizing Committee

School Choice in Hawaii

SenatorFong.com

Sink the Jones Act

Statehood for Guam

Talking Tax

Tax Foundation of Hawaii

The Real Hanabusa

Time Out Honolulu

Trustee Akina KWO Columns

UCC Truths

US Tax Foundation Hawaii Info

VAREP Honolulu

Waagey.org

West Maui Taxpayers Association

What Natalie Thinks

Whole Life Hawaii

Yes2TMT