[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE NORTH MAUI COASTAL PRESERVATION ACT

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                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the North Maui 
Coastal Preservation Act of 2009, a bill directing the National Park 
Service to study the suitability and feasibility of designating certain 
lands along the northern coast of Maui, between Sprecklesville and 
Paia, as a unit of the National Park System.
  The citizens of Maui strongly support preservation of this coast, 
which provides important open space and public beach areas. Thousands 
of post cards in support of creating a national park or national 
seashore along this coast have been sent to me and to my predecessor.
  This beautiful coastline is under significant development pressure. 
Its closeness to major population centers in Maui and its popularity 
with both visitors and residents makes protecting access a major 
concern.
  Supporters of this park have asked that it be named after 
Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink, a native of Maui who grew up in the 
Hamakua Poko/Paia area. While this bill, which authorizes a study, does 
not direct what the prospective national park would be named, I would 
certainly support naming it after Patsy Mink, whose commitment to the 
people of the island and state was without question.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

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