[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF THE KA`U COAST PRESERVATION ACT

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                              HON. ED CASE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2006

  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the proposed Ka`u 
Coast Preservation Act, a bill directing the National Park Service to 
assess the feasibility of designating coastal lands on the Ka`u Coast 
of the island of Hawai`i between Kapaoo Point and Kahuku Point as a 
unit of the National Park System.
  In March 2005, I wrote to the National Park Service to ask that it 
conduct a reconnaissance survey of the Ka`u coast to make a preliminary 
evaluation of the unique natural resources of the area to determine its 
suitability for inclusion as a unit within our National Park Service.
  The draft reconnaissance report providing an overview of the natural 
and cultural resources of the study area is currently in the final 
stages of review, but the draft I have reviewed concludes that ``Based 
upon the significance of the resources in the study area, and the 
current integrity and intact condition of these resources, a 
preliminary finding of national significance and suitability can be 
concluded.'' The draft report goes on to recommend that Congress 
proceed with a full resource study of the area.
  At present, the beautiful coastline of Ka`u is largely pristine: 
unspoiled, undeveloped, and uninhabited. It contains significant 
natural, geological, and archeological features. The northern part of 
the study area abuts Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and contains a 
number of notable geological features, including a huge ancient lava 
tube known as the Great Crack, which the NPS expressed interest in 
acquiring in the past.
  The study area includes both black and green (olivine) sand beaches 
as well as a number of endangered and threatened species, most notably 
the endangered hawksbill turtle (half of the Hawaiian population of 
this rare sea turtle nests within the study area), the threatened green 
sea turtle, the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the endangered Hawaiian 
hawk, native bees, the endangered and very rare Hawaiian orange-black 
damselfly (the largest population in the state), and a number of native 
endemic birds. Humpback whales and spinner dolphins frequent the area. 
The area also boasts some of the best remaining examples of native 
coastal vegetation in Hawai`i. Although the NPS was unable to conduct a 
full survey of marine resources, it is expected that the varied and 
undeveloped habitats in the study area support high levels of 
biodiversity.

  Archeological resources reflecting ancient Hawaiian settlement in the 
study area includes the Puhi`ula cave, dwelling complexes, heiau 
(religious shrines), walls, fishing and canoe houses or sheds, burial 
sites, petroglyphs water and salt collection sites, caves, and trails. 
The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail runs through this area. The 
area is also remarkable for its magnificent viewsheds.
  Ka`u is one the last unspoiled areas left in Hawai`i. It is, however, 
under tremendous development pressure, despite the fact that these 
coastal lands are subject to volcanic eruptions, seismic activity, 
tsunami, and other hazards. More earthquakes occur in the Ka`u area 
than anywhere in the State and the hazard risk level in the study area 
ranges from the highest (category 1) to between 3 and 6 for the balance 
of the study area. The outstanding resources of Ka`u deserve 
protection; development along the coast poses risks to these resources 
and potentially to human life.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and invite 
you to come to the island of Hawai`i to visit this special area. I know 
that if you do so, you will be convinced as I am of the vital 
importance of protecting these lands.

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