URGING THE COUNTIES TO ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN, OR EXPAND HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUNCTIONS WITHIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO COMPLEMENT AND SUPPORT STATEWIDE HISTORIC PRESERVATION EFFORTS.

HR167

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

167

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

urging the counties to establish, strengthen, or expand
historic preservation functions within county government to complement and
support statewide historic preservation efforts
.

����
WHEREAS,
Hawai
ʻ
i possesses
unique and irreplaceable cultural resources, including historic buildings,
archaeological sites, burial sites, cultural landscapes, traditional cultural
properties, and places of significance to the history and posterity of native
Hawaiian culture; and

����
WHEREAS, the
preservation of these resources strengthens Hawai
ʻ
i's
cultural identity, supports education and community stewardship, and
contributes to the protection of places and resources that embody the history
and heritage of Hawai
ʻ
i;
and

����
WHEREAS, the
State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural
Resources administers the State's Historic Preservation Program, including
maintaining the Hawai
ʻ
i
Register of Historic Places, reviewing proposed projects for potential impacts
to historic properties, and ensuring compliance with federal and state historic
preservation laws; and

����
WHEREAS, the
State Historic Preservation Division plays a critical role in implementing
historic preservation review pursuant to chapter 6E, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
and coordinating with federal agencies under the National Historic Preservation
Act; and

����
WHEREAS, the
responsibilities assigned to the State Historic Preservation Division are
extensive and include project review, consultation, documentation, and the
protection of archaeological and historic resources throughout the State; and

����
WHEREAS, the
counties exercise significant authority over land use planning, zoning,
development approvals, and building permits and therefore play an important
role in protecting historic and cultural sites and resources; and

����
WHEREAS, many
jurisdictions across the United States maintain county or municipal historic
preservation offices that complement state historic preservation programs and
provide localized expertise and review capacity; and

����
WHEREAS, the
establishment or strengthening of historic preservation functions at the county
level could enhance coordination with the State Historic Preservation Division;
improve early identification of historic and cultural resources during planning
and permitting processes; provide additional capacity for review and
stewardship; and ensure continuity of protection for Hawai
ʻ
i's historic and
cultural resources in the event that state-level protections, capacity, or
administrative resources are diminished; and

����
WHEREAS, ensuring
that counties have the ability to support historic preservation activities
would help maintain continuity of protection for historic and cultural
resources should state-level protections or administrative capacity be reduced;
now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the counties are urged to
establish, strengthen, or expand historic preservation functions within county
government to complement and support statewide historic preservation efforts;
and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that these functions may include the establishment of county historic
preservation offices, commissions, advisory boards, or designated staff within
planning or cultural resource departments responsible for coordinating historic
preservation activities and reviewing potential impacts on historic and
cultural resources; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the counties are encouraged to develop local policies,
inventories, and procedures that help identify, evaluate, and protect historic
and cultural resources within their jurisdictions, consistent with applicable
state and federal preservation laws; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Administrator
of the State Historic Preservation Division; Mayor of the City and County of
Honolulu; Mayors of the County of Hawai
ʻ
i,
County of Kaua
ʻ
i,
and County of Maui; Chair of the Honolulu City Council; and Chairs of the Hawai
ʻ
i County Council, Kaua
ʻ
i County Council, and
Maui County Council.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
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Counties;
Historic Preservation Functions; Historic and Cultural Resources