Introduction of the Proposed North Maui Coastal Preservation Act of 2004

INTRODUCTION OF THE PROPOSED NORTH MAUI COASTAL PRESERVATION ACT OF 2004

HON. ED CASE OF HAWAII IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the proposed North Maui Coastal Preservation Act of 2004, a bill directing the National Park Service to assess the feasibility of designating certain coastal lands on the north shore of the Island of Maui between the towns of Pa'ia and Sprecklesville as a unit of the National Park Service. This area is fully worthy of designation as a National Seashore, National Historic Park, or National Recreation Area.

Since assuming office as the representative for Hawai'i's Second Congressional District, I have heard loud and clear from the people of Maui, in person during countless times on the island and through petitions and postcards from some 2,000 constituents, about their deep concern for preserving this beautiful, historically significant and resources-rich coastline. Although the 128 acres identified in the bill are currently zoned as open space or parkland, they lie directly in the path of development in Maui's hot real estate market.

The desire of the people of Maui is to have the natural, scenic, and cultural resources of this unique area preserved and protected from development, and ultimately designated as the Patsy Takemoto Mink North Shore Heritage Park. As many of my colleagues know, my predecessor in this body, the late Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink, was born and grew up in Hamakua Poko, a small village near Pa'ia on just this coastline. If the Park Service finds that the area merits inclusion in the National Park System, I will introduce legislation authorizing establishment of a park and directing that it be named after Congresswoman Mink.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of the Maui Sierra Club and especially of Lance Holter, a dedicated community activist, for inspiring the introduction of this bill. I can tell by the hundreds of cards I continue to receive from Maui residents in support of establishing such a park that there are many more people who have dedicated enormous energy and time in the hopes of preserving our precious natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and invite you to come to the Island of Maui 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.