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Maile David, Council Chair <br /> and Members of the County Council <br /> County of Hawai i <br /> July 25, 2022 <br /> Page 7 <br /> The request will not have a significant adverse impact to traditional and <br /> customary Hawaiian Rights. In view of the Hawaii State Supreme Court's "PASA" and <br /> "Ka Pa'akai D Ka'Aina" decisions, the issue relative to native Hawaiian gathering and <br /> fishing rights must be addressed in terms of the cultural, historical, and natural resources and <br /> the associated traditional and customary practices of the site: <br /> Investigation of valued resources: An Archaeological Inventory Survey (AIS) was <br /> conducted of the site in 2015. No professional flora or fauna surveys were conducted of the <br /> site. The property has been previously cleared and is overgrown with non-native plants and <br /> other invasive species. The property is located in an urban setting in an area dominated by <br /> single-family residential uses. The applicant does not believe that rare or endangered floral or <br /> faunal resources are on the site. <br /> The valuable cultural, historical, and natural resources found in the rezoning area: <br /> The State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) confired that an archeological inventory <br /> survey (AIS) was completed in 2015 and accepted by SHPD. The AIS documented one (1) <br /> historic site and assessed by SHPD as significant under criterion D. According to the AIS, the <br /> site included twenty-nine mounds, eleven contours which functioned as sugarcane <br /> cultivation. The site was recommended for no further work. Based on the information, <br /> SHPD's determination for the proposed project is "no historic properties affected." The <br /> applicant has stated that during clearing and grading of the property, SHPD will be notified, <br /> and all work shall immediately cease, upon inadvertent discovery of any archeological or <br /> historic feature. No professional flora or faunal survey was conducted of the property. The <br /> property has been previously cleared and is overgrown with non-native plants and other <br /> invasive species. The vegetation within the project area is primarily non-native, consisting of <br /> tree fern, Hilo Grass, California grass, guava and some native `ohia. According to the <br /> Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) the <br /> Hawaiian Hoary Bat or `Ope`ape`a (Lasiurus cinereas semotus) could potentially occur in the <br /> vicinty of the project area and may roost in nearby trees. Bat birthing and pup rearing season <br /> spans from June 1 st through September 15th. Finally, DOFAW reported that the Hawaiian <br /> Duck, Hawaiian Stilt, Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian Goose (Nene) and the Hawaiian Hawk (`Io) <br /> as possibly occuring in the vicinty of the project area. It is against State law to harm or harass <br /> this species. Based on the preceding, DOFAW has provided guidance on measures to avoid <br /> and minimize impacts to the listed species, in addition to guidance on avoiding the spread of <br /> invasive species and pathogens. <br /> Possible adverse effect or impairment of valued resources: There may be a <br /> possibility that native plants could be destroyed by construction and ground alteration, but the <br /> site has been cleared and is overgrown with non-native plants and other invasive species. <br /> The subject property does not abut the shoreline, therefore Hawaiian gathering and fishing <br /> rights is not an issue. <br />