COM 0160.000 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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¦ CLIMATE AND R .r'FALL a ' The subject parcel is located at the 2200 foot elevation in Kaloko. Temperatures at this elevation are approximately ten degrees cooler than coastal temperatures. The existing infrastructure provides access to a unique living and growing climate in West 1 Hawaii. Average rainfall, according to USGS Report R-47 is approximately 70 inches. Weekly rainfall records kept by Mr. Wm. Moss for the 20 years between 1973 and 1992 at the 1500 foot elevation in nearby Kealakehe, indicate that rainfall has been off (less) by ' approximately 30% since the current eruptive activity at Kilauea began in 1983. Table 1 below shows annual rainfall figures from the Moss rain gauge. ' As evidenced by activities on surrounding properties, rainfall and climate at the subject location is conducive to a range of agricultural activities. These include grazing, orchard, nursery, tree farms and gardening. 1 ANNUAL VS. PREVIOUS 5-YR AVERAGE Moss gauge 90.00 ' 60.00 ^'~rn^°E A^°"F"u- ea~`^o~s srx eFwoo ~ 70.00 LL 60.00 ' ~ 50.00 y 40.00 = 30.00 ' U Z 20.00 10.00 0.00 [7 v ~ m n m O) O ~ N c7 v N r n n n r n n m m m m m m m ~ m m m O~ T rn m rn rn m m rn rn rn rn rn rn m rn rn rn rn rn rn rn ' TABLE I FLORA AND FAUNA ' The subject parcel was cleared and planted to pasture grass approximately twenty years ago. It was never grazed and is now covered with ohia, silver oak, Christmas berry, guava, and a variety of grasses and weeds. Wildlife seen at the property consists of turkeys, hawks (I'o), Chinese pheasant, and other forest birds. ' Vegetative cover is a mixture of native and non-native. The proposed development is likely to alter the mixture of plant life but the low density of 3.5 acres per unit and proposed zoning conditions will assure continuation of habitat for existing wildlife. I1. I