{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=441", "Kahele, Case Pursue National Heritage Sites For Hawai\u2018i", "2021-03-16", "2021", "2021-03", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Ed Case", "C001055", "case.house.gov", "case", "https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=27", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s U.S. House delegation today jointly introduced two measures to pursue creation of the first National Heritage Areas (NHA) in the State of Hawai\u02bbi.\n\nCongressman Kaiali\u02bbi Kahele (HI-02), joined by Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), is calling for a feasibility study to determine whether the South Kona coastline on the Island of Hawai\u02bbi should be designated as an NHA, while Case, joined by Kahele, is reintroducing his measure from the just-concluded 116th Congress for a similar designation for Ka\u02bbena Point on the Island of O\u02bbahu.\n\nSince the designation of the nation\u2019s first National Heritage Area in 1984, there are now 55 NHAs nationally but none in the state of Hawai\u02bbi.\n\nKahele\u2019s measure focuses on the coastal area between Ka Lae and Honomalino Bay, along miles of mostly pristine coastline. The area is host to some of the richest and most well-preserved cultural aspects of Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s history along with invaluable and unique environmental and natural resources.\n\n\u201cThe South Kona coastline has some of the most unique historical, cultural, and archaeological features on the planet,\u201d said Kahele. \u201cThis bill can ensure the conservation and preservation of this area in its current natural state and begin the federal process of a National Heritage Area designation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe South Kona coastline still retains so much of the unique cultural, historical and physical essence of the real Hawai\u02bbi,\u201d said Case, a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources with jurisdiction over NHAs. \u201cIt holds a special place in my heart from my own small kid times there and fully needs and deserves the assistance of an NHA.\u201d\n\nCase\u2019s measure focuses on the undeveloped area of Ka\u02bbena Point on the west end of O\u02bbahu from Makua to Waialua. It is the site of the last intact sand dune ecosystem in Hawai\u02bbi and is said to be named after a sibling of the Hawaiian goddess Pele. Ka\u02bbena Point also includes a leina ka \u2018uhane, an important recognized cultural site that, according to some Hawaiian traditions, is where the souls of the deceased leapt into the next plane of existence. Ka\u2018ena is also home to various protected species including laysan albatrosses, wedge-tailed shearwaters, monk seals and fragile native plants.\n\n\u201cKa\u02bbena Point, largely state-owned, is the perfect candidate for a National Heritage Area in Hawai\u02bbi given its truly unique cultural, historic and environmental heritage and qualities,\u201d said Case. \u201cThe State of Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has already created a management plan for the Ka\u2018ena Point Stewardship Area to protect one of the last few remaining and easily accessible wilderness areas on O\u2018ahu.\u201d\n\n\u201cKa\u02bbena Point holds a special place for many Native Hawaiians who visit the area for traditional cultural reasons, as well as non-Hawaiians who tour the area to learn about its significance,\u201d said Kahele. \u201cEstablishing Ka\u02bbena point as a National Heritage Area is long overdue.\u201d\n\nNHAs offer federal assistance of joint efforts to manage NHAs for specific protections and uses appropriate to each. Kahele and Case emphasized that any studies for South Kona and Ka\u02bbena Point would fully involve all engaged communities in charting the overall plan for protection and use of these unique parts of the rich heritage of our country.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:33:37Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=441"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.2273918837308884, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}