[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 178 (Tuesday, December 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6276-H6278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
LAHAINA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY ACT
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 8219) to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a
study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain
land as the Lahaina National Heritage Area, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 8219
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Lahaina National Heritage
Area Study Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Hawaii.
(3) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the census-
designated place of Lahaina in Maui County in the State.
SEC. 3. LAHAINA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY.
The Secretary, in coordination with the County of Maui and
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, shall carry out, in accordance
with section 120103(a) of title 54, United States Code, a
study to assess the suitability and feasibility of
designating the study area as a National Heritage Area, to be
known as the ``Lahaina National Heritage Area''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs.
Dingell) each will control 20 minutes.
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The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 8219, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise to support Representative Tokuda's bill, the Lahaina National
Heritage Area Study Act.
The town of Lahaina, located on the Hawaiian island of Maui, has an
incredibly rich history. As the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom from
1820 to 1845, it remains a center of commerce, tourism, and local
pride. Until recently, Lahaina's historic district featured many
impressive cultural sites, including a historic hotel, church, and
courthouse.
Tragically, on August 8, 2023, a wildfire caused catastrophic
destruction in Lahaina, becoming the deadliest wildfire in over a
century. The fire destroyed over 2,200 structures and caused
approximately $5.5 billion in damages. Many lost structures dated back
centuries and held immeasurable value to Lahaina's people and culture.
Just one week after this devastating fire, a bipartisan congressional
delegation I was leading joined the members of the Hawaii congressional
delegation, including Representative Tokuda, to see the damage for
ourselves firsthand. We were all stunned by the utter devastation that
we witnessed there.
As Lahaina continues to recover from the trauma of that brutal
natural disaster, local leaders have been exploring options that would
allow the community to honor its past while promoting the natural and
cultural resources it still retains.
H.R. 8219 takes a strong step in the right direction. This bill would
require the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with State and
local partners, to study the suitability and feasibility of designating
the town of Lahaina as a national heritage area. A feasibility study is
generally the first step in considering a national heritage area
designation because it helps ensure that the studied area meets all
appropriate criteria.
I commend Representative Tokuda for leading this effort that will
empower local decisionmaking with respect to resource conservation and
economic development. In the aftermath of a tragic event like the
Lahaina wildfire, this emphasis on local concerns strikes me now as
more critical than ever.
Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act,
introduced by my colleague from Hawaii, Representative Tokuda.
This bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a
feasibility study to determine the suitability of designating Lahaina,
in Maui County, Hawaii, as a national heritage area.
It is the historical capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and a
significant area for Native Hawaiians' history and culture. Today, it
still serves as a significant site for Native Hawaiians but also is a
vital economic and touristic hub for the island of Maui.
However, in August of 2023, Maui experienced a series of deadly
wildfires that took over 100 lives, destroyed thousands of buildings
and historic cultural landmarks, and displaced thousands of people.
More than a year later, recovery efforts are still underway and are
expected to exceed tens of billions of dollars.
{time} 1700
Mr. Speaker, designating this national heritage area would help
preserve Lahaina's rich cultural heritage and support recovery efforts
by unlocking Federal funding to rehabilitate important sites and
establish exhibits, programming, and other public awareness
initiatives.
I would like to thank the majority for working with us on this bill.
It is an important link to the past as the community of Lahaina
rebuilds and ensures their heritage lives on.
I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am
prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to
the sponsor of this bill, the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda).
Ms. TOKUDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill,
H.R. 8219, the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act.
On August 8, 2023, Hawaii experienced one of its very darkest days
when the town of Lahaina was consumed by the worst wildfire in modern
American history. We lost 102 members of our ``family,'' ``ohana,'' and
we are still searching for 2 more that are missing.
I stand on the House floor today, as I have dozens of times this
Congress, to advocate on behalf of those impacted by this tragedy. As
we approach the 16-month anniversary of the fires, there is still so
much more that needs to be done.
While I will continue to fight for disaster funding and continued
Federal assistance for Lahaina and all of our communities touched by
disaster, every action that we take to support the rebuilding of our
community helps in the healing, which is why I am so grateful that we
are here today to debate my Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act.
Currently of the 62 national heritage areas in the United States,
none are in Hawaii. I cannot think of a better place to designate as
Hawaii's first national heritage area than Lahaina.
Even before the fires, community-driven efforts led by generational
descendants and local leaders were focused on preserving Lahaina's rich
history, tradition, and culture for future generations.
My bill would be the first step in ensuring that Lahaina finally gets
the recognition that she has long deserved. In consultation with State
and local partners, the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act would
direct the National Park Service to study the feasibility and
suitability of this designation for Lahaina.
At this time, I want to thank Chairman Westerman for coming with
other Members of the House Committee on Natural Resources to Lahaina
literally days after the fire. I will forever be grateful for your
compassion, kindness, and support that you showed all of our people. I
can honestly say that during this time of grieving, it gave them much
hope and helped them start toward that process of healing to have you
present there, to offer words of comfort and support.
I know that this bill would not be here today without your leadership
and support of this initiative. Mr. Speaker, I say, ``thank you,''
``mahalo'' to you and to all who came to our islands.
I also want to thank all of my colleagues who cosponsored this bill
and supported it throughout the committee process. I especially want to
thank members of this committee, including Ranking Member Neguse and
Congressmen LaMalfa, Case, Huffman, and Sablan as well for their
support and help. It is greatly appreciated
Two weeks ago, I stood inside one of the first transitional homes
built by FEMA, looking out at what was once the vibrant and thriving
town of Lahaina. For many who see it now, there are only cleared lots
stretching from the hills to the sea. If you close your eyes, you can
feel the deep pang of loss and grief. It is a pain that we all carry,
softened only by the hope that comes with the very first steps towards
rebuilding.
In seeking to designate Lahaina a national heritage area, we are
daring to look beyond what is in front of us. Beyond the devastation,
there is history and culture that predates us all. There was a time
when canals and waterways nourished the land, when bread, fruit, and
taro flourished, and when our ``kings and queens,'' ``ali'i,'' resided
and governed there.
Once known as Lele, before it became Lahaina, this special place was
the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Amid centuries of
political and economic change, she has remained a gathering place for
our people.
As we work to rebuild Lahaina, my bill seeks to ensure that this is
about not just restoring what was lost but
[[Page H6278]]
also anchoring our future in the rich history and culture of this
sacred place so that they may endure long after we are gone.
With the help of this Congress, we can honor Lahaina's past, while
laying the foundation for a resilient and enduring future.
I humbly ask my colleagues to support H.R. 8219, the Lahaina National
Heritage Area Study Act.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward bill that will
help a hard-hit community and provide it with options for how it can
best bounce back.
I thank Representative Tokuda for advancing this important
legislation on behalf of her constituents. I strongly support the
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support
this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8219, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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