HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

219

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

SUPPORTING THE RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE SANJU PAGODA IN NUUANU VALLEY.

 

 

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii established the Honolulu Memorial Park as a community service cemetery in 1958; and

WHEREAS, the Honolulu membership of the Buddhist Federation commended and endorsed the development of the cemetery in 1964, whereupon it was decided that a monument be erected which would venerate the followers of the Buddhist faith; and

WHEREAS, Herbert M. Richards, President of Honolulu Memorial Park, resolved to create the Kinkaku-ji memorial, along with the Sanju or three-tiered Pagoda, which were completed and opened in July 1966, in the amiable tradition of his late father, Dr. Theodore Richards; and

WHEREAS, in 1966, the Senior Minister of the Kinkaku-ji of Kyoto, Japan, Abbot Jikai Murakami, was present for the opening of the Kinkaku-ji memorial and gave his blessing; and

WHEREAS, a scenic stop area was constructed along the Pali Highway to take advantage of the view of the Sanju Pagoda and surrounding area; and

WHEREAS, for the past 36 years, the Sanju Pagoda has been a beautiful part of the Honolulu skyline, as seen from the Pali Highway and surrounding areas; and

WHEREAS, the Sanju Pagoda is a one and a half times larger replica of the Sanju Pagoda of Minami Hokko-ji Temple near Nara, Japan, and is said to be the largest structure of its kind in the world and one of the few structures of its kind in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Sanju Pagoda near Nara, Japan, was declared a National Architectural Treasure by the Japanese Government as an outstanding example of the architecture of the Momoyama Period (1574-1602); and

WHEREAS, the preservation of the Sanju Pagoda significantly enhances the environmental quality of the State; and

WHEREAS, the social, cultural, and educational value of the Sanju Pagoda contributes significantly to the understanding and enjoyment of the history and culture of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the quality of significance in the Japanese-American history, architecture, and culture, which is present in the Sanju Pagoda, possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and workmanship; and

WHEREAS, this brightly colored coral, mustard, white, and turquoise concrete structure rises to a height of 116 feet and also serves as a columbarium and final resting place of the remains of followers of the Buddhist faith and others who believe in cremation; and

WHEREAS, the Friends of the Honolulu Memorial Park is looking into renovation alternatives, cost estimates, and construction time lines for the complete restoration of the Sanju Pagoda; and

WHEREAS, the National Historic Trust has provided funding for the restoration of other historic properties in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, through the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), the United States Department of Transportation administers the Transportation Enhancements Program which includes funding scenic and historic highway programs; and

WHEREAS, the Director of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu (Director) is responsible for planning issues and subdivisions in Honolulu; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature recognizes the beauty and cultural significance of the Sanju Pagoda as a valuable asset to the State of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature fully supports the restoration and maintenance of the beautiful Sanju Pagoda as a valuable cultural asset of the State of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Friends of Honolulu Memorial Park is requested to explore the possibility of obtaining a grant from the National Historic Trust to assist in the restoration of the Sanju Pagoda; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Friends of Honolulu Memorial Park is further encouraged to explore the possibility of obtaining a grant from the Transportation Enhancements Program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Friends of Honolulu Memorial Park is requested to meet with the Director to consider the feasibility of subdividing the parcel of land upon which the Sanju Pagoda is situated, along with an adequate buffer area, from the remainder of the Honolulu Memorial Park; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Friends of Honolulu Memorial Park is requested to continue discussions with the owners of Honolulu Memorial Park regarding a possible dedication or donation of a subdivided Sanju Pagoda parcel to the Friends of Honolulu Memorial Park or another suitable nonprofit organization; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Consul General of Japan in Honolulu is respectfully requested to advise and assist the operators of the Honolulu Memorial Park in any manner it deems appropriate for the continued maintenance of the Sanju Pagoda; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Consul General of Japan in Honolulu, Hawaii, the family of the late Herbert M. Richards, and the owners and operators of the Honolulu Memorial Park.

Report Title:

Sanju Pagoda; Renovation and Maintenance