Historic Preservation Commission: Powers and Duties

A. The commission shall advise and assist federal, state, and County government agencies in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities. B. The commission shall provide public information, education, training, and technical assistance relating to the federal, state, and County historic preservation programs. C. The commission shall initiate, accept, review, and recommend to the state historic preservation officer, historic properties nominations for inclusion on the Hawaii and national registers of historic places. D. 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 are compatible with that of the State historic preservation office. E. The commission shall administer the certified local government program of federal assistance for historic preservation within the County. F. The commission shall provide design review for projects affecting any building, structure, site, or district eligible for listing on the national or Hawaii 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. G. The commission shall develop and implement a comprehensive countywide historical preservation planning process, consistent with the State historical preservation plan, which includes the submitting of information pertaining to the State inventory of historic places to the State historic preservation officer. H. The commission shall make recommendations to the council relating to the acceptance of gifts and donations 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. The department shall transmit to the council the commission's recommendations with a proposed resolution, pursuant to section 3.56.030 of this code. I. Pursuant to section 19.52.020 of this code, the commission shall have the authority to administer the provisions of the historic districts established in Title 19 of this code, and shall advise the mayor, the council, and the County planning commissions on the establishment of historic districts and regulations. J. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations of procedure and conduct, pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes. K. The commission shall have the authority to review and comment on archaeological reports and cultural impact assessments, if submitted by the department for review, as part of development proposals to various County agencies. L. The commission shall establish review criteria for areas with concentrations of archaeological sites or burials as identified in the cultural resources management plan. M. The commission shall undertake any other action or activity necessary or appropriate towards the implementation of its powers or duties or towards the implementation of the purpose of this chapter. More specifically, these may include the following: 1. Recommend new ordinances establishing historic and archaeological districts; 2. Review and recommend amendments to current policies and laws relating to historic sites; 3. Continually reevaluate building code requirements and recommend 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 and organize programs of historic preservation, including presentations, films, exhibits, conferences, publications, and other educational means that increase public awareness and participation in preserving the past. (Ord. No. 4026, § 3, 2103; Ord. 1941 § 1, 1990)