Case asks National Park Service to study inclusion of Ka'u coastline
Case asks National Park Service to study inclusion of Ka'u coastline
Honolulu, Hawai'i - Congressman Ed Case (Hawai'i, Second District) has formally asked the National Park Service to conduct a survey to determine whether approximately eighty miles of Hawai'i Island's southern coastline should be included in the National Park System.
"The Ka'u coastline presents a rare opportunity to preserve and protect an entire coastal system of a unique natural, scenic, historical, cultural and ecosystem combination found nowhere else in our world. It is also under tremendous development pressure, and these resources will in all likelihood be lost if we don't move to protect them soon," said Case in a letter dated March 31, 2005 to Jonathan B. Jarvis, Regional Director of the Pacific West Region of the National Park Service.
In his letter, Case notes that he is requesting the survey because the National Park system "provides the best overall protection structure available" and asks that the survey catalog and describe key archaeological and historical sites and study coastal resources, including the presence of endangered species such as the hawksbill turtle which nests in the area. And, he asks the National Park Service to assess the southern coastline or parts of it for designation as a National Seashore or other unit of the National Park Service with specific consideration of one option to include some or all of the Ka'u coastline into nearby Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Such resource/reconnaissance studies are the standard first step toward inclusion of resources in the National Park System.
"What we commonly refer to as the Ka'u coastline consists of approximately eighty miles of coastal resources on the southern shores of the Island of Hawai'i. This beautiful inspirational coastline is largely pristine: unspoiled, undeveloped, and uninhabited. It contains a wealth of Native Hawaiian archeological and historical features, endangered species, magnificent beaches (including the famous Punalu'u Black Sand Beach), and spectacular vistas."
Case said the Ka'u community is virtually united in its support for preservation of the area, and he offered to take Jarvis on a personal tour of the coastline.
March 31, 2005
Mr. Jonathan B. Jarvis
Regional Director, Pacific West Region
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
600 Harrison St. #600
San Francisco, California 94107-1390
Re: Request for National Park Service Resource/Reconnaissance Study of the Ka'u Coastline
Dear Mr. Jarvis:
I am writing to request the assistance of the National Park Service in conducting a resource/ reconnaissance survey of the Ka'u coastline on the Big Island of Hawai'i for purposes of evaluating this unique natural resource for inclusion in our National Park system.
What we commonly refer to as the Ka'u coastline consists of approximately eighty miles of coastal resources on the southern shores of the Island of Hawai'i. This beautiful inspirational coastline is largely pristine: unspoiled, undeveloped, and uninhabited. It contains a wealth of Native Hawaiian archeological and historical features, endangered species, magnificent beaches (including the famous Punalu'u Black Sand Beach), and spectacular vistas.
The Ka'u coastline presents a rare opportunity to preserve and protect an entire coastal system of a unique natural, scenic, historical, cultural and ecosystem combination found nowhere else in our world. It is also under tremendous development pressure, and these resources will in all likelihood be lost if we don't move to protect them soon.
Our National Park system provides the best overall protection structure available. Toward this potentiality, I would greatly appreciate your assistance in conducting a reconnaissance survey of the Ka'u coastline, to include the following:
Catalog and describe important archeological and historical sites;
Survey and describe coastal resources, including presence of endangered species, such as the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, which nests in the area;
Make an initial assessment of the suitability of the coast or portions of the coast for designation as a National Seashore or other unit of the National Park Service. One option for your specific consideration is the feasibility of including some or all of the Ka'u coastline as an integral part of the nearby Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
The Ka'u community is virtually united in its support for a permanent and sustainable management and preservation structure of these incredible resources, as would be offered under the National Park Service, and I personally commit the full resources of my office to that end. I would be very grateful for your assistance in conducting this vital study, and would welcome the opportunity to take you there personally.
With aloha,
ED CASE
United States Congressma
Hawai'i, Second District
http://wwwc.house.gov/case/press_releases/2005/2005-11.html