Relating To Historic Preservation.
The proposed legislation amends Section 6E-8 of Hawaii Revised Statutes and introduces provisions for third-party consultants to facilitate timely reviews of state and privately owned historic property projects. The bill specifies that before any state agency begins any project impacting historic sites, they must advise the DLNR and allow it to conduct its review, failing which reviews can be outsourced to qualified consultants. This is expected to streamline the permit process and reduce bottlenecks caused by lengthy reviews, enabling quicker project approvals while maintaining the protection of historic resources.
SB820, introduced in the Hawaii Legislature, addresses the critical need for efficient historic preservation review processes. It recognizes the essential role of the state in safeguarding historic properties, burial sites, and aviation artifacts by mandating project submissions for state review before any commencement. The bill seeks to resolve significant delays faced by permit applicants, which affect housing, economic development, and infrastructure projects due to an overwhelming volume of submissions to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). To mitigate these delays, SB820 proposes that the DLNR may contract third-party consultants to conduct project reviews if the department cannot complete the review within sixty days.
SB820 has the potential to stir debate among stakeholders concerned about the comprehensive oversight of historic preservation. While proponents argue that the use of third-party consultants will expedite necessary approvals and aid development, critics may raise concerns about the effectiveness of outsourced reviews in preserving historical integrity. There may be apprehension that contracting out reviews to third-party consultants could risk lowering the quality of assessments related to cultural and historic preservation. The balance between development needs and the preservation of Hawaii's rich heritage continues to be a contentious issue.