As construction of the more than $10 billion Skyline rail line advances toward Chinatown, Honolulu officials are seeking a new agreement with the state to improve oversight of development in historic areas along the route.
The city Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) has asked the Honolulu City Council to approve Resolution 332, which calls for a revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD). The agreement would give the city more authority to review permitted building projects in the Chinatown Historic District and the Merchant Street Commercial and Civic Historic District.
Both districts are listed on the Hawaii and National Registers of Historic Places and date back to the 1860s when Chinese plantation laborers began settling in the area.
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is scheduled to complete the rail segment into Chinatown by 2030.
In a Dec. 19 letter to the Council, DPP Director Dawn Takeuchi Apuna said the resolution would create a new MOU to supplement one established in 2011. It would replace a provision—Stipulation IX.E—that governs how foreseeable impacts on historic properties are assessed.
Michael Kat, DPP’s historic preservation planner, said the existing stipulation requires city agencies to coordinate rail-related construction to avoid cumulative impacts on the historic areas. The new MOU would shift oversight to the DPP.
“This MOU simply delegates that responsibility to the city agency—DPP—best suited for monitoring development within these historic districts,” Kat said, adding that DPP would become the lead reviewer for projects that may affect the areas.
Kat said the initiative does not override state law or exclude SHPD. “SHPD remains involved in reviewing and consulting, and the same historic review requirements still apply,” he said.
SHPD confirmed support for the proposed MOU, stating it has worked with the city and HART on developing the agreement. A spokesperson said the current stipulation requires HART to monitor impacts on properties at least 50 years old within transit-oriented development (TOD) zones.
However, SHPD said HART’s ability to track those impacts is limited, as its responsibilities are confined to rail operations. “The City and County has been identified as the more appropriate partner in this,” the spokesperson said.
Resolution 332 notes the city agreed to a programmatic agreement (PA) on Jan. 18, 2011, with the Federal Transit Administration, SHPD, and others to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act in relation to the rail project.
While HART is responsible for meeting federal requirements tied to funding, Kat said it is not equipped to monitor city or private development that may affect historic districts. “DPP, which reviews and issues building permits, is better positioned to carry out this responsibility,” he said.
The MOU would apply to non-rail construction within the two historic districts and does not supersede the PA. Kat said there is no specific deadline to finalize the MOU but noted that completion is needed “as soon as practicable.”
The Council referred Resolution 332 to its Committee on Infrastructure, Transportation and Technology, which is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday at 530 S. King St.
