Bill Text: HI SB1287 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To State Planning.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-12-01 - Carried over to 2020 Regular Session. [SB1287 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-SB1287-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1287 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO STATE PLANNING.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii is a unique and beautiful state, a precious lei of islands amidst the Pacific Ocean and unique as the only Pacific island state. For many, it is the ideal place to live and has been second to none for providing a preferred quality of life. It is the government's responsibility to identify the goals of the State that are important for present and future generations, to improve and maintain the quality of life for individuals and communities and the quality of the visitor experience. Preserving Hawaii's values is the unifying theme of the Hawaii state plan, established pursuant to chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which is intended to preserve and protect the healthy social, economic, and physical environments that benefit the community as a whole.
The Hawaii state plan states as one of its goals "[a] desired physical environment, characterized by beauty, cleanliness, quiet, stable natural systems, and uniqueness, that enhances the mental and physical well-being of the people". Pursuant to sections 226-11 through 226-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the state plan objectives and policies for the physical environment include planning to protect:
(1) Land-based, shoreline, and marine resources;
(2) Scenic, natural beauty, and historic resources; and
(3) Land, air, and water quality.
The Hawaii state plan also sets priority guidelines for planning for population growth and land resources, including identification of critical environmental areas in Hawaii. Critical environmental areas include scenic and recreational shoreline resources, open space and natural areas, historic and cultural sites, and scenic resources.
The legislature further finds that the lei of green, a plan to link Honolulu's green parks, open space, recreation areas, and greenways mauka to makai along the shoreline, interconnected with tree-lined pedestrian paths for shade and climate control, was first brought forth by the renowned national planner Lewis Mumford to benefit the Territory of Hawaii. The lei of green was further emphasized by the Hawaii chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1999 and incorporated as a guiding principle in the Kakaako makai master plan by the Hawaii community development authority in 2011. The legislature finds that there is a need for coordination among different agencies and levels of government in guiding the future of the State to ensure the long-continued and intended protection and preservation of the lei of green, consisting of Honolulu's historic parks and green recreational open spaces as an interconnected multi-use system.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Include objectives, policies, and implementation guidelines for planning for the lei of green in the Hawaii State Planning Act; and
(2) Appropriate funds for one temporary full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) planner position within the office of planning to prepare a status report on the lei of green, as required by this Act.
SECTION 2. Chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§226-A Objectives and policies for the physical
environment--lei of green. (a) Planning for the State's physical environment
with regard to the lei of green shall be directed toward achieving the
objectives of:
(1) Protection and
preservation of green public parks and recreational open spaces within the lei
of green;
(2) Expansion of
greenways and shoreline promenades interconnecting the lei of green from the
Ala Wai recreational boat harbor and Kewalo basin boat harbor public lands to
Honolulu harbor;
(3) Restoration,
protection, and preservation of the intrinsic elements of the lei of green; and
(4) Protection of
the lei of green resources for the immediate future and perpetuation of the lei
of green to benefit the public as an environmental legacy for present and
future generations.
(b) For the purposes of this section:
"Greenways" means a
system of corridors of land or water that connect and protect the natural,
historic, cultural, and recreational resources within the surrounding landscape
and communities.
"Lei of green" means the area of historic public parks and recreational open spaces spanning from Diamond Head to Aloha Tower, including Diamond Head state monument, Kapiolani regional park, Ala Wai golf course, Ala Wai canal, Fort DeRussy beach park, Ala Moana regional park, Kewalo basin park, Kakaako waterfront park, Thomas square, and Irwin memorial park."
SECTION 3. Chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§226-B Lei of green. (a) The office shall implement
the lei of green policy, in coordination with appropriate state and county
departments. The office shall strive to:
(1) Ensure that the
lei of green policy is a respected guide for the restoration, protection, and
preservation of the anchor elements of the lei of green, including its historic
parks and historic landscapes, recreational open spaces, and greenways
extending from Diamond Head to Aloha Tower; and
(2) Work closely
with the county and the public to implement the policy for state and county
lands within the lei of green.
(b) For the purposes of this section:
"Greenways" shall have
the same meaning as in section 226‑A.
"Historic landscape"
means any park, recreational, or cultural green open space listed on or
eligible for the Hawaii register of historic places.
"Lei of green" shall have the same meaning as in section 226‑A."
SECTION 4. The office of planning shall submit a report to the legislature and the governor of its findings and recommendations on the status of the lei of green policy, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2020. The report shall provide benchmarks as necessary to assist incremental compliance with fulfilling and completing the lei of green from Diamond Head to Aloha Tower.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for costs associated with researching, compiling, and submitting the status report on the lei of green policy required pursuant to section 4 of this Act, including one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) temporary planner position within the office of planning; provided that the temporary planner shall be responsible for researching and compiling the report on the status of the lei of green policy required.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of planning for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 and 3 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.
SECTION 7. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.
Report Title:
Hawaii State Plan; Lei of Green; Appropriation
Description:
Includes objectives and policies and implementation guidelines for planning for the lei of green in the Hawaii State Planning Act. Appropriates funds for costs associated with researching, compiling, and submitting the status report on the lei of green policy, including (1.0) FTE temporary planner position within the Office of Planning. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
