THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	847
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to the Diamond Head State monument.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Diamond Head is a world-famous landmark, representing Hawaii to millions of people throughout the world.  In recognition of Diamond Head's wealth of information about Hawaii's geology, plants, and ancient Hawaiian culture, the legislature adopted Act 104, Session Laws of Hawaii 1976, to establish the Diamond Head State Monument as a historical site on Oahu.  Subsequently, the Diamond Head State Monument plan of 1979 established a state policy of establishing a semi-wilderness park with minimal enhancement to Diamond Head.  The Diamond Head citizen advisory committee was formed in 1977 to advise the department of land and natural resources on the preservation and management of Diamond Head.  Further, Act 313, Session Laws of Hawaii 1992, reaffirmed the recognition of Diamond Head crater as a natural landmark by the federal government and a state monument by the State of Hawaii.

     The legislature finds that the number of visitors to Diamond Head State Monument exceeds one million annually, more than any other of Hawaii's state parks.

     The legislature further finds that visitors to the Diamond Head State Monument currently use the services of an interpretive kiosk.  The high number of visitors, however, justifies the planning, design, and construction of a dedicated visitor and interpretive center, which has been a long-standing goal of the Diamond Head State Monument master plan, and which can more adequately inform the public and provide educational programs about the unique history and significance of Diamond Head.

     The purpose of this Act is to support the Diamond Head State Monument by:

     (1)  Authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds for the planning, design, and construction of a Diamond Head State Monument visitor and interpretive center; and

     (2)  Requiring the department of land and natural resources to seek private or federal funds.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2017-2018 for the purpose of planning, design, and construction of a Diamond Head State Monument visitor and interpretive center; provided that the department of land and natural resources shall seek private or federal funds.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2020, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Diamond Head State Monument; General Obligation Bonds; Appropriation

 

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds for the planning, design, and construction of a visitor and interpretive center at Diamond Head State Monument.  Requires the department of land and natural resources to seek funds.

 

 

 

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