HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	164
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO DETERMINE PROPER OWNERSHIP OF THE LAND ON WHICH THE FORMER UNITED STATES COAST GUARD OMEGA STATION LIES.

     WHEREAS, in 1942, the United States Navy built a metal staircase, which became known as the "Stairway to Heaven" or "Haiku Stairs" (Stairs), as a means to access its transmission facilities at the ridgeline of the Koolau Mountains above Haiku Valley; and

     WHEREAS, in 1972, the transmission facilities were transferred from the Navy to the United States Coast Guard for operation of both LORAN and OMEGA navigational systems used by ships crossing the Pacific Ocean; and

     WHEREAS, after newer navigational systems were employed in 1987, the OMEGA station became obsolete and was shut down by the United States Coast Guard, eventually leading to the disrepair of the Stairs, and restricting access to the Stairs that had been granted to hikers since 1982; and

     WHEREAS, the area has not been officially opened to the public since 1987; and

     WHEREAS, the area has many miles of hiking trails, paved roadways, and a scenic climb to a lookout on the Koolau Mountains, and many sites of historical, cultural and archeological significance; and

     WHEREAS, the Haiku Stairs is comprised of 3,922 steps that lead up to the Koolau Pali and the summit of Puu Keahiakahoe that overlooks Haiku Valley; and

     WHEREAS, the Haiku Stairs ascend through the cliffs and hillsides of Haiku Valley which is inhabited by native plant species and contains natural habitats for a number of native birds and on a clear day, the view at the top of the Haiku Stairs includes most of Windward Oahu, Pearl Harbor, and parts of Leeward Oahu; and

     WHEREAS, the Stairs' historical significance and recreational potential make the area a desirable location for public or private use; and

     WHEREAS, numerous public and private entities claim ownership of the land on and surrounding the former Coast Guard Omega station, including, but not limited to, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Transportation, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Damon Estate, effectively preventing much needed repairs and improvements from being completed; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to conduct a study to determine the rightful owner of the land on which the former Coast Guard Omega station lies; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is urged to give direct participation to all interested parties in the development of any contingency plans for access to the Haiku Stairs and surrounding area; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources is requested to submit the study to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Chairperson of the

Hawaiian Homes Commission, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Director of Transportation, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Damon Estate.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Study; Coast Guard Omega