WAIALUA, Hawaii — There is a possibility of Oahu’s Kaena Point becoming a national heritage area and the National Park Service requests the public to provide input on a study to determine its feasibility.

What You Need To Know

  • The study will document the rich environmental and natural resources, stories, heritage, history and Native Hawaiian cultural values of Kaena Point and, if designated by Congress, how a potential new national heritage area would be organized and managed by a local entity

  • The public can share comments via this link through Nov. 25

  • Visit the NPS Kaena Point webpage for more information on the study and for a link to a virtual meeting on Oct. 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m. HST to share your comments

Authorized by the National Heritage Area Act of 2023, the Kaena Point National Heritage Area study directs the Secretary of the Interior through the National Park Service, to evaluate the area’s natural, historic, cultural, educational and recreational resources, according to a news release.

The study will document the rich environmental and natural resources, stories, heritage, history and Native Hawaiian cultural values of Kaena Point and, if designated by Congress, how a potential new national heritage area would be organized and managed by a local entity.

The study will also assess community support of the designation as demonstrated by the Native Hawaiian people, residents, nonprofit organizations, businesses and local, state and federal agencies.

(Spectrum News/Sarah Yamanaka)

The public can share comments via this link through Nov. 25. Visit the NPS Kaena Point webpage for more information on the study and for a link to a virtual meeting on Oct. 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m. HST to share your comments.

“Kaena Point, and places related to it, are areas of deep cultural significance and meaning, as well as dramatic landscapes and refuges for native plants and birds,” said Martha Crusius, National Park Service regional planning program manager, in the release. “Input from the community is critical to the study process as we learn more about the area and whether designation would be appropriate to help the community honor and protect its heritage.” 

An endangered Hawaiian monk seal (ʻīlioholoikauaua) at rest. (Spectrum News/Sarah Yamanaka)

According to the NPS, the study is expected to run through 2025. The assessment that follows, along with any recommendations from the Secretary of the Interior, will be reported to Congress.

The public can also email questions about the study to Kaena_point_study@nps.gov or mail them to National Park Service, Planning & Environmental Compliance, 909 First Ave., Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98104.

There are 62 designated national heritage areas in 36 states and territories that support a diverse range of conservation, recreation, education and preservation activities.

A fence protects native wildlife such as this Wedge-tailed Shearwater (ʻUa ʻu kani) chick from predators such as rats, mice, mongoose, cats and dogs. (Spectrum News/Sarah Yamanaka)

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.