Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park Addition Act of 2003. This bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent in the 107th Congress, and I hope that it will receive quick approval again in the 108th Congress. The legislation provides for a small adjustment of the Park's boundaries to permit the purchase of permanent facilities for Park administrative purposes and to provide visitors with a modest interpretive center that will help them understand the cultural and historical treasures of the Park.

Mr. President, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is located along the beautiful Kona coast on the island of Hawaii. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1962 and was established as a National Historical Park in 1978. The Park was created to preserve, interpret, and perpetuate traditional Native Hawaiian culture. The ocean makes up over half of this 1,160-acre Park, and the boundaries include the culturally significant Kaloko and `Aimakapa fishponds and `Ai`opio fish trap. There are also several heiau, or Native Hawaiian religious sites, found in the Park.

In 2001, 54,000 people visited Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, and the number of visitors continues to increase. In 2002, 70,000 people visited the Park, an increase of 16,000 visitors. We need a facility there that offers administrative personnel the space and the resources they need to carry out their management functions, and provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about this important part of Hawaii. Rather than erecting a new building and disturbing the resources within Park boundaries, the better option is to locate the facilities nearby on an already-developed parcel. The bill provides a simple, cost-effective solution to the important problems of growing visitorship and the need to provide adequate stewardship of cultural resources. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate and in Hawaii to make this possible.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record immediately after my remarks.

Thank you.