HCR 223 Summary

• Urges the County Council of Hawaii County to use eminent domain to condemn the Naalehu Theater, the southernmost theater in the United States, built in 1925 by the Hutchinson Sugar Company.

• Theater is currently owned by 300 Corporation, a division of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and has deteriorated since roof leaks began in 2006 requiring approximately $150,000 in repairs.

• Theater was deemed eligible for historic listing by the State Historic Preservation Division in 2005 but was not designated due to the property owner's objection; listing on the National Register of Historic Places would make it eligible for grants and a 20 percent federal reimbursement for repairs.

• Directs transmission of a certified copy of the resolution to the Chairperson of the County Council of Hawaii County.