Hirono Introduces Legislation to Study Designating Kaena Point a National Heritage Area

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced legislation to study designating Kaena Point on Oahu as a National Heritage Area. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study assessing the feasibility of designating certain land on the westernmost tip of Oahu as the Kaena Point National Heritage Area. A National Heritage Area designation would unlock federal resources to help elevate public awareness of Kaena Point and enhance management activities to protect cultural and natural resources for future generations.

“Kaena Point is a national treasure with great significance in Hawaii,” said Senator Hirono. “In addition to being home to a wide-range of biodiversity, including many native and endangered species, Native Hawaiian culture holds Kaena Point as one of the most sacred places on Oahu. Designating Kaena Point as a National Heritage Area would help protect this special site and increase federal support to ensure it can be enjoyed by visitors for generations to come.”

Specifically, Senator Hirono’s bill directs the U.S. Interior Secretary to conduct a study in consultation with State and local historic preservation officers, State and local historical societies, State and local tourism offices, and other appropriate organizations and governmental agencies within three years and report the results to Congress.  This study would assess, among other things, the area’s

• unique cultural, historic, and natural resources;
• cultural contributions to the story of the United States;
• ability to provide recreation and educational opportunities;
• resources available for interpretation by visitors;
• inclusion of local stakeholders supportive of and involved with the planning of the Heritage Area;
• existence of a local management entity willing to work with these stakeholders to develop the Heritage Area; and
• include a map identifying the boundaries of the Heritage Area.

Kaena Point includes a state park and a Natural Area Reserve, both operated by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, which supports this legislation.

The National Park Service currently oversees 55 National Heritage areas across the country, none of which are in Hawaii.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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