"This is an incredible opportunity to preserve an important resource," Case said.

The bill is the latest attempt by Case to grant federal protections to certain coastal areas and other regions on the Neighbor Islands threatened by development. Last year Case introduced similar legislation to protect six miles of south Maui coastline from the state 'Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve to Kanaloa Point. Case is also working to add acreage to several Big Island national parks and to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kaua'i.

But the Bush administration isn't helping, having suspended funding this year for national park acquisition.

If the Maui north shore bill is approved, the National Park Service would assess whether the designated area, about 130 acres near, around and including Baldwin Park, meets a number of criteria to qualify as a site of national significance.

The study would include an evaluation of the area's natural and cultural themes, opportunities for public enjoyment or scientific study, uniqueness in the National Park system, and potential for being administered at a reasonable cost.

If the study recommends designation, Case said he wants to name the area after the late Hawai'i congresswoman Patsy Mink, who was born and raised at Hamakua Poko, a small village near Pa'ia.

Case said community members have been lobbying hard for the federal designation. He has received petitions and postcards from more than 2,000 constituents.

"Having played here in my youth and walked it myself since my election, I completely agree that it's a special place whose loss to development would be devastating," he said.