SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the preamble of the long term lease agreement of the Bishop Museum states, "There is special mana in Waipi‘o. Mana from long ago; mana still there; mana still alive. Waipi‘o valley embraces in that mana many things. It embraces the wai, the inland waters, coursing through the valley floor, or simply falling from the sky, touching, and in the touching, along with ‘aina, the land, nourishing all it touches. It embraces kalo (also known as taro) and the many other plants which abound. Ka po‘e, the people, themselves are embraced by the mana of Waipi‘o, and over the generations of being embraced, have become kin to the spirit of the valley. Out of this sense of kinship grows the aloha and a sense of malama ‘aina, protecting the integrity of Waipi‘o by perpetuating her ability to flow and flourish, and continue to touch the lives of so many more to come. This is the spirit of the valley."

Waipio Valley, a significant cultural, historic, and natural resource, is a farming community with a historically rich tradition of agricultural production that still plays an important role in island food security, producing a significant amount of kalo for poi in the State of Hawaii. Ensuring the viability and protection of this heritage is of critical importance for the State of Hawaii for cultural preservation, natural resource protection, and supporting the local agricultural economy.

The Waipi‘o Valley community faces various issues in its ongoing attempts to protect its rich heritage and manage its natural resources. Two issues of primary importance are public safety and responsible public access into Waipi‘o Valley, which is comprised almost entirely of private land and the river and its associated irrigation systems that feed taro patches or lo‘i kalo.

Waipi‘o Valley is a unique agricultural community and a public resource for residents and visitors. The dynamics between public and private access, use, and safety are compounded by the steep and narrow access road that serves as the only means into the Valley. The occurrence of dangerous situations are exacerbated by increased use that exceeds the carrying capacity of the access road. Furthermore, unregulated public access leads to trespassing, liability issues, and potential severe personal safety issues. Thus, it is imperative to address this issue for public safety reasons and to preserve Waipi‘o Valley's unique heritage and educational potential.

In attempts to address this issue, the county of Hawaii, in collaboration with the Waipi‘o Valley community, established the Waipio Valley education and information officer program in 2009 to educate visitors and residents on protocol and safety issues regarding access into the valley. With an increase in visitor and resident traffic, there is a need to expand educational efforts.

In 2009, the county of Hawaii used a combination of public access, open spaces, and natural conservation funds to purchase the Waipi‘o Valley lookout parcel or the Rice property, which is adjacent to the county's Waipi‘o Valley lookout that serves as the entry point for the Waipi‘o Valley access road. This property was purchased with the intent that the acquisition could enhance county facilities at Waipi‘o lookout by providing safety, cultural, and historic information to visitors and residents, additional parking for the lookout area, and circulation at the lookout area improvements; and potentially serving as a future ranger station and center for community programs. Furthermore, the development of a culturally-based education center using the two county owned lookout properties could serve as a potential revenue generating source to support the ongoing management needs of and efforts in Waipi‘o Valley. These initiatives are supported by the 2003 Waipi‘o Valley Community Action Plan and the 1999 Waipi‘o Valley: Towards Community Planning and Ahupua‘a Management.

Building on many past initiatives to manage the river and its associated irrigation waterways or auwai, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service Waipi‘o Stream Management Plan, 2009 Wailoa River Mouth Clearing Project, and 2010 Mauna Kea Soil and Water Conservation District's Waipi‘o Valley Flood Damage Reduction and Stream Stabilization Preliminary Investigation, the community continues its efforts to manage its vital waterways and implement the development of flood protection and stream stabilization projects.

There is a need to acquire the necessary equipment for the community to build the capacity to perform the required work in a sustainable, environmentally responsible, and economically feasible manner. The community currently possesses various farm equipment, but it is insufficient to implement the required river work. Additional funding is needed for intensive river maintenance work, including flood protection, stream stabilization, and stream bank maintenance to enable the Waipi‘o Valley community to sustainably manage its waterways.

Hā Ola O Waipi‘o Valley is a state registered non-profit organization that was formally organized in 2014 to build on past efforts to address the ongoing needs and kuleana of Waipi‘o Valley as a community. To reduce costs and strengthen community involvement, Hā Ola O Waipi‘o Valley has worked with longstanding community partners, including the county of Hawaii, and developed collaborative commitments to contribute in the conceptual planning and design services through in-kind contributions.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds as a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for Hā Ola O Waipi‘o Valley for costs associated with the conceptual planning and design of and the environmental assessment for the development of the Waipi‘o Valley lookout properties and the purchase of heavy equipment for and operating costs of stream maintenance projects in Waipi‘o Valley.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 as a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for Hā Ola O Waipi‘o Valley.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	522
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII