Requesting The County Of Maui To Employ An Archaeologist For The Purpose Of Historic Preservation In Rebuilding Lahaina.
Summary
SCR75 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the County of Maui to hire one full-time archaeologist to support historic preservation efforts in the rebuilding of Lahaina. The resolution is framed around the 2023 Maui wildfires, which destroyed much of Lahaina’s historic core, including cultural landmarks and heritage sites. It states that preservation is important not only for protecting cultural identity and community history, but also for supporting tourism, environmental sustainability, educational value, and community healing.
The resolution asks the archaeologist to work with other entities involved in reconstruction, help implement federal and state preservation mandates, and plan and manage historic preservation projects during the rebuilding process. It also directs that a certified copy of the resolution be sent to the Mayor of the County of Maui. As a concurrent resolution, it expresses the Legislature’s request and policy preference rather than directly changing statutory law or appropriating funds.
Impact
SCR75 does not amend the Hawaii Revised Statutes or create a binding legal requirement; instead, it urges the County of Maui to employ a 1.0 FTE archaeologist and to integrate historic preservation expertise into Lahaina’s recovery. Its practical impact would be to elevate archaeological review and preservation planning in county-led rebuilding efforts, potentially affecting permitting, project coordination, and compliance with state and federal historic preservation requirements. The resolution is aimed at local government action and interagency coordination rather than statewide statutory change.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the measure. Both the Senate Water and Land Committee and the Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee passed the resolution with amendments and no opposing votes recorded in the provided history. The bill’s findings also reflect a strongly supportive tone, emphasizing the cultural, economic, and emotional importance of preserving Lahaina’s historic character during reconstruction.
Contention
The main point of discussion appears to be not whether historic preservation matters, but how it should be implemented in practice during a fast-moving rebuilding process. The resolution notes that no archaeologist had yet been fully engaged, implying concern that preservation expertise was missing from the recovery effort. Any contention is likely to center on staffing, cost, timing, and the balance between expedited rebuilding and preservation review, though no specific opposition is shown in the provided transcripts or votes.
Recognizing The Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Restoration Of Ahuena Heiau And Affirming Its Unparalleled Role In The Spiritual, Political, And Cultural History Of The State.
Recognizing The Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Restoration Of Ahuena Heiau And Affirming Its Unparalleled Role In The Spiritual, Political, And Cultural History Of The State.