Ka‘ena Point National Heritage Area Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1908; the ``Ka'ena Point National Heritage Area Act'' which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land as the Ka'ena Point National Heritage Area.

Different from national parks, national heritage areas are community- based efforts that preserve and share stories about a region's history and character. Heritage areas contain a mixture of public and private property, including towns, historic sites, parks, trails, commercial districts, and even working farms.

National Heritage Areas are a grassroots, community-driven approach to heritage conservation and economic development. Through public- private partnerships, NHA entities support historic preservation, natural resource conservation, recreation, heritage tourism, and educational projects. Leveraging funds and long-term support for projects, NHA partnerships foster pride of place and an enduring stewardship ethic.

When an area is designated as an NHA, its inhabitants don't have to leave. An important aspect of NHAs is that they are intended as a celebration of a living environment, and they improve the local economy around them.

The National Parks Service estimates NHAs average $5.50 for every $1.00 of federal investment, bolstering the local economies through their unique ``heritage tourism.''

Not only are NHAs economically friendly, but they are also climate friendly. Many NHAs improve water and air quality in their regions through restoration projects and encourage people to enjoy natural and cultural sites by providing new recreational opportunities.

This modern approach to conservation taken by NHAs should influence the NPS' approach, extending the appreciation for the nexus between the people and land.

John Muir was a greatly revered conservationist who some consider partly responsible for the establishment of our National Parks System. He and former President Theodore Roosevelt went on a camping trip to Yosemite, and after the trip was done, President Roosevelt was inspired by his conservationist ideas and thus established the National Parks System.

As a result of that camping trip, we now have 423 national parks. While their grandeur and contributions to employment, quality of life, and national beauty are not to be overlooked, much of the lands these parks lie on were stolen from indigenous tribes.

For example, Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park was created when President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law the Yellowstone Act of 1872, which created America's first landscape to be ``reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale . . . and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.''

Because of this order, the Crow, Blackfeet, Bannock, Nez Perce, and Shoshone tribes were all removed from Yellowstone, lands they had inhabited for generations. Recent studies have found additional tribal claims to the land numbering as high as 27, yet despite this information there is no redress in sight.

It is worth noting that the NPS has graciously set up programs for Native students and has increased tribal consultation to exchange information about park projects and ethnographic resources. The tribes have requested to participate in resource management and decision- making, to conduct ceremonies and other events in the park, and to collect plants and minerals for traditional uses.

This is a step in the right direction, but it is a far cry from justice which has been long denied and overdue for native peoples.

Land sovereignty has always been a false promise the U.S. Government has offered to its indigenous peoples, which is even more relevant in the case of indigenous Hawaiians.

Since the illegal overthrow of their government and subsequent colonization of Hawaii in 1898, indigenous Hawaiians' struggle has not ended. From the Mauna Kea protests spanning the last few years concerning an observatory to be placed on sacred land to the Kalama Valley Protests surrounding evictions of farmers from their lands to build a resort in the 1970s, indigenous Hawaiians have endlessly fought for self-preservation and self-determination as they were promised, and the fight will continue.

Their fight will be aided by the passage of the Ka'ena Point National Heritage Area Act. I am grateful that Representatives Case and Kahele have committed to fully involving all engaged communities, including native Hawaiians.

It is for that reason, Mr. Speaker, that I rise in strong support of H.R. 1908, the Ka'ena Point National Heritage Area Act and urge my colleagues support for the Act.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1908) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land as the Ka'ena Point National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.

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 the measure under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1908, the Ka'ena Point National Heritage Area Act, introduced by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), my Natural Resources Committee colleague.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating Ka'ena Point National Heritage Area in the State of Hawaii.

The study focuses on the undeveloped area of the point on the west end of the island of Oahu and home to some of the richest and most well-preserved cultural aspects of Hawaii's history along with invaluable and unique environmental and natural resources.

This area is the site of the last intact sand dune ecosystem in Hawaii and an important cultural site that, according to some Hawaiian tradition, is where the souls of the deceased leapt into the next plane of existence.

Rich with wildlife and thriving biodiversity, the area is home to various protected species, including laysan albatrosses, the wedge- tailed shearwaters, monk seals, and fragile native plants.

I congratulate my colleague, Representative Case, for championing this bill on behalf of his constituents. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on the legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we all know Hawaii is a beautiful State. The bill will help protect and conserve that rich environmental and cultural heritage. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.

And I urge Representative Case to invite all of us to Hawaii when it is time to see the site.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1908, the Ka'ena Point National Heritage Area Act. I wish first to recognize and say ``mahalo,'' or thank you, to my partner in our Hawaii congressional delegation, Representative Kaiali'i Kahele, who co- introduced this bill with me.

Our bill directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to study whether Ka'ena Point, a treasured wilderness area on the western tip of the island of O'ahu, should be designated as a national heritage area, or NHA. The 3-year study would evaluate whether Ka'ena Point holds invaluable resources that reflect our country's heritage and are worthy of conservation and special recognition nationally. Such a designation would also offer critical support to our local community in Hawaii to conserve the area for present and future use.

I am certain that Ka'ena Point is a perfect candidate for NHA designation. It houses a rich cultural and environmental history. It is the location of one of Hawaii's most sacred places, a leina a ka `uhane, a leaping place of souls where, according to native Hawaiian tradition, the spirits of the recently deceased leap from this realm to the next.

As one of the last few remaining and easily accessible wilderness areas on O'ahu, the sand dunes of Ka'ena Point are home to a number of endemic and endangered species, such as the Hawaiian monk seal, laysan albatross, and the ohai flower.

Our bill will ensure the full collaboration of the local community in preserving the traditions and pristine nature of Ka'ena Point. The community, our local organizations, fishers, hikers, and neighborhood groups, will be fully

engaged throughout the study process and, if the area is eventually designated as an NHA, will be integral partners in the area's management.

Finally, I also thank the chairs and ranking members of my full Committee on Natural Resources and Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, and our staffs for your understanding and support of our proposal.

And yes, to the ranking member, I look forward to showing you Ka'ena Point as soon as you can come out.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 1908, offered by Congressman Case of Hawaii, requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating Ka'ena Point National Heritage Area.

The study authorized by this bill focuses on an undeveloped area on the west end of O'ahu that is home to the last intact sand dune species in Hawaii.

As the chairman pointed out, this point is also inhabited by various protected species, the wedge-tailed shearwaters, monk seals, and rare native plants.

The feasibility study that this bill authorizes will be conducted in consultation with State and local historic preservation officers, historical societies, and tourism offices.

Some day I hope to be able to visit this Ka'ena Point with Congressman Case. I urge adoption of the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.