[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK EXPANSION ACT OF 
                                  2005

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. ED CASE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to authorize 
expansion of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park located on the Island of 
Hawaii.
  This bill would authorize expansion of the park's boundaries to allow 
the National Park Service to acquire 656 additional acres between the 
1,000 and 2,000-foot elevation marks in the Kahuku district makai 
(oceanside) of State Highway 11. This property, which is a part of the 
historic Kahuku Ranch, most of which has already been added to the 
Park, includes extensive natural and cultural resources. These Kahuku 
lands encompass the southwest rift zone of Mauna Loa, one of the most 
massive volcanoes in the world.
  The geologic features of the proposed acquisition--three large pit 
craters--provide vestiges of native forest and other unique attributes. 
The property also includes ranch buildings, walls, and pasture lands 
that are reminiscent of nineteenth and early twentieth century ranching 
and contain remnant ranchlands that are not currently represented to 
the public by any National Park in Hawaii. These buildings would 
provide public, office, educational, and research space for a much-
needed satellite headquarters for this portion of the 333,000-acre 
park. And locating these services in these historic structures will 
preserve more of the natural resources of the park in an unspoiled 
condition.
  The property also provides magnificent open landscape views and 
vistas that offer a glimpse into a cultural landscape that has remained 
unchanged for decades.
  The geologic, biologic and cultural resources contained on this 
property will also enhance the quality of the park for its legislated 
purpose and as a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere 
Reserve. In addition, the park has a well-developed partnership with 
adjacent landowners in management of native ecosystems and historic 
landscapes and acquisition of this makai section of Kahuku will help to 
facilitate this partnership.
  The Hawaii House of Representatives passed H.R. No. 56 in the 2001 
session supporting acquisition of the Kahuku Ranch as part of Hawaii 
Volcanoes National Park and the Hawaii State Senate passed a similiar 
resolution.
  I would be very grateful for the support of my colleagues for this 
important bill.

                          ____________________