Mazie Hirono: “I rise today to introduce the Ka`u Coast Preservation Act of 2013, a bill directing the National Park Service to assess…”

“I rise today to introduce the Ka`u Coast Preservation Act of 2013, a bill directing the National Park Service to assess the feasibility of designating certain coastal lands on the Ka`u Coast of the island of Hawaii as units of the National Park System. The National Park Service conducted a reconnaissance survey in 2006 that made a preliminary assessment of whether the Ka`u Coast would meet the National Park Service's demanding criteria as a resource of national significance. The reconnaissance survey concluded that ``based upon the significance of the resources in the study area and the current integrity and intact condition of these resources, a preliminary finding of national significance and suitability can be concluded.'' The report goes on to recommend that Congress proceed with a full resource study of the area. Since the time of the initial reconnaissance report and my introduction of this Act in previous Congresses, two additional properties in the Ka`u that deserve evaluation have come to my attention: the Kahuku Coastal Property, also known as Sands of South Kona and Road to the Sea, and the Nani Kahuku `Aina property adjacent to Pohue Bay. I have added these areas to the study area for the full resource study. The coastline of Ka`u is still largely unspoiled. The study area contains significant natural, geological, and archeological features.…”