Historic commission's duties and powers

(a) The commission shall advise and assist Federal, State and County government agencies in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities. The commission shall provide public information, education, training and technical assistance relating to the National, State and County historic preservation programs. (b) The commission shall initiate, accept, review and recommend to the State historic preservation officer, historic properties nominations for inclusion on the Hawai‘i and National registers. (c) The commission shall maintain a system for the survey, inventory and nomination of historic properties and archaeological sites within the County, as well as a system of site monitoring, that is compatible with that of the State historic preservation office. (d) The commission shall administer the certified local government program of federal assistance for historic preservation within the County. (e) The commission shall provide design review for projects affecting any building or structure, site or district eligible for listing on the National or Hawai‘i register of historic places and shall request and consider the State historic preservation officer’s review and comment on all County undertakings, including the granting of permits. In its review, the commission shall consider the cultural significance of the site and its surroundings along with the secretary of the United States Department of the Interior’s standards for rehabilitation, as amended. (f) The commission shall use the State Historic Preservation Plan to develop and implement a comprehensive County-wide historic preservation planning process, which includes the submitting of information pertaining to the State inventory of historic places to the State historic preservation officer. (g) The commission shall make recommendations to the Council for the expenditure of gifts and grants accepted by the Council for projects connected with the identification, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction of historic properties, the historic preservation planning process, and the promotion of exhibits and other information activities in connection therewith. (h) The commission shall adopt rules and regulations of procedure and conduct, pursuant to chapter 91, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes. (i) The commission may review and comment on archaeological reports submitted as part of development proposals to various County agencies. (j) The commission may make recommendations to the State historic preservation officer and the Hawai‘i island burial council on the appropriate management, treatment, and protection of Native Hawaiian burial sites, which are customary with traditional Native Hawaiian burial practices. (k) The commission may undertake any other action or activity necessary or appropriate towards the implementation of its powers or duties or towards implantation of the purpose of this article. More specifically these may include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Recommend new ordinances establishing special treatment districts and archaeological districts; ADMINISTRATION § 2-229 (2) Review and recommend amendments to current policies and laws on the enforcement of existing codes relating to historic sites; (3) Continually reevaluate building code requirements and enact amendments that are more sympathetic to preservation or provide exemptions for historic properties; (4) Encourage the County, State, and Federal governments, and the private sector, to implement appropriate management strategies, curatorships and meaningful interpretive programs at significant historical and archaeological structures, sites, and districts; and (5) Assist in programs of historic preservation including presentations, films, exhibits, conferences, publications and other educational means which increase public awareness and participation in preserving the past. (2008, ord 08-42, sec 1; am 2013, ord 13-9, sec 2.)2-229