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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2013-40 Draft 1COUNTY COUNCIL COUNTY OF KAUAI t utt 0 11 No. 2013 -40, Draft 1 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A COMMUNITY BASED PLANNING PROCESS FOR THE COCO PALMS PROPERTY AND THE GRANT IN AID REQUEST PENDING AT THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE WHEREAS, the Coco Palms property in Wailua, Kaua`i is one of the rare sites in the Hawaiian Archipelago that has held its cultural and historical importance over many years; and WHEREAS, in ancient times, the area around the mouth of the Wailua River included a group of sacred sites that includes perhaps one of the oldest heiau on Kaua`i, and has served as a place of refuge and for centuries was a royal center and home to great Chiefs, among them Queen Deborah Kapule; and WHEREAS, the area surrounding the Coco Palms property extending mauka and across the Wailua River contains numerous sacred heiau and other places of archeological, cultural, and historical significance; and WHEREAS, the Coco Palms property was a central gathering place for visitor and kama aina alike, and became increasingly popular and the focal point of worldwide attention with Elvis Presley's 1961 Blue Hawai`i; and WHEREAS, through her talent, charm, and business acumen, Grace Guslander created the Coco Palms Hotel, which elevated the romantic image of the isles; and WHEREAS, the Coco Palms Hotel holds many fond memories for generations of local families who worked, entertained and who share both friendships and common memories with the thousands of loyal visitors over the years; and WHEREAS, the devastating effects of Hurricane Iniki in 1992 has left the property to lay in ruins, desecrated and untouched for over twenty (20) years; and WHEREAS, today, the property is, a blight on the landscape of our beautiful island, a constant reminder of the devastation of Hurricane `Iniki, and an unattractive, unsafe nuisance that negatively impacts our economy; and WHEREAS, while there have been numerous discussions and proposals by developers proposing to do something worthy at the property, no action has been taken; and WHEREAS, the people of Kaua`i value this place and have grown weary and frustrated by the inaction and disrespect shown to this very special place, it is their desire to develop a community based plan that honors and respects the history and culture of the property and benefits the community; and WHEREAS, the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust is committed to working with the community and with government and private sector partners to protect lands that will sustain us for current and future generations; and WHEREAS, the "Friends of Coco Palms ", an ad hoc committee of community residents that has kept the conversation alive and encouraged the participation of public and private partners in the appropriate development of this special property supports the efforts of the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust to develop a community -based plan for the Coco Palms; and WHEREAS, potential public and private partners have expressed an interest in supporting the community's desire to protect, preserve, and perpetuate the historical, cultural, and recreational importance of this place, but have asked "What is the plan ?" and "What does the community really want ? "; and WHEREAS, ideas for development and use of the property are diverse and have yet to be fully explored, but include the development of a Hawaiian music and entertainment venue, a central community gathering place, museums, educational facilities, cultural facilities including halau and canoe hale, park land, kupuna facilities, and dining and accommodations —and much more, which is only limited by the imagination and dreams of the entire Kaua`i community; and WHEREAS, the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust acknowledges that the only successful plan for this very special place is one that involves the entire community,explores all options and includes a financial analysis sufficient to answer the basic questions of potential public and private partners; and WHEREAS, the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust has submitted a two hundred seventy -six thousand six hundred fifty dollar ($276,650.00) Capital Improvement Project Grant In Aid Request to the State Legislature to facilitate a process that will reach out into the community to gather input, perform a detailed site assessment, and prepare a community development plan that includes a purchase and funding plan; now, therefore,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUAI,STATE OF HAWAII, that the Kaua`i County Council recognizes the cultural and historical significance of the Coco Palms property.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kaua`i County Council shares the public's concern and frustration over the continued deterioration and the lack of action to improve the property over the last twenty (20) years and seeks to see it revitalized for the public's enjoyment. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kaua`i County Council supports a community based planning process and the efforts of the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust to conduct this process and ultimately acquire the Coco Palms property to the benefit of the public.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kauai County Council strongly encourages the Hawai`i State Legislature to approve and fund the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust's Grant In Aid Request.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kaua`i County Council requests all residents and visitors of Hawai`i who share its deep love and concern for the Coco Palms property, to join them in support of this worthwhile endeavor.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution be sent to all members of the State House of Representatives and State Senate, Governor Neil Abercrombie, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., Planning Director Michael A. Dahilig, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the Hawai`i State Department of Health.V: \RESOLUTIONS \2012 -2014 term \Coco Palms Reso, Draft 1 CNT_cy.doc efilot +caxe Of 4. 9 .16 Xe-iaC 11.4a2.,,Y,ian, DZ.. 2013 -40, T4 1 5Gankai.'4,, on Olta,a, 13, 2013.Introduced by: /s/ GARY L. HOOSER 9aAd 03/13/201 MU4 xc Gaga 03ti 9 9 9C Gp.i."..tie 7 0 0 0 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kaua`i County Council supports a community based planning process and the efforts of the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust to conduct this process and ultimately acquire the Coco Palms property to the benefit of the public.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kauai County Council strongly encourages the Hawai`i State Legislature to approve and fund the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust's Grant In Aid Request.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Kaua`i County Council requests all residents and visitors of Hawai`i who share its deep love and concern for the Coco Palms property, to join them in support of this worthwhile endeavor.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution be sent to all members of the State House of Representatives and State Senate, Governor Neil Abercrombie, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., Planning Director Michael A. Dahilig, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the Hawai`i State Department of Health.V: \RESOLUTIONS \2012 -2014 term \Coco Palms Reso, Draft 1 CNT_cy.doc efilot +caxe Of 4. 9 .16 Xe-iaC 11.4a2.,,Y,ian, DZ.. 2013 -40, T4 1 5Gankai.'4,, on Olta,a, 13, 2013.Introduced by: /s/ GARY L. HOOSER 9aAd 03/13/201