Laserfiche WebLink
Additionally, the applicant submitted a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) entitled, <br />"Cultural Impact Assessment TMK: (3) 6-2-001: 075 portion, 'Ouli Ahupua'a, South Kohala <br />District, Island of Hawaii" prepared by Kulaiwi Archeology, LLC and dated July 2024. This <br />CIA covered the proposed project area. <br />Finally, the applicant submitted a professional floral/faunal survey entitled, "Biological <br />Survey of the Ouli Lands, TMKs 6-2-1-.74 and 75 South Kohala District, Island of Hawaii" <br />prepared by Geometrician Associated LLC in August 2023. This study covered 257.338 acres of <br />land, including the proposed project area. <br />The valued cultural, historical, and natural resources found in the project area: The AIS <br />identified 75 sites in the 91,000-acre study area, including sites related to military training, <br />ranching, historic period use, and traditional Hawaiian use. Nine (9) of these sites were <br />recommended for further work, including 2 historic sites and a burial site located approximately <br />1/2mile away from the project area. A preservation plan and a burial treatment plan for the sites <br />were approved by the State Historic Preservation Division in 2001 and 2003 respectively. There <br />were no historic sites identified within the project area. <br />The CIA found that traditional Hawaiian activities in the area were primarily shoreline - <br />based and seasonal, upland areas served as transit zones, with trails historically maintained by <br />local families for access to coastal resources. The area, known as a dry and arid land ('Aina <br />kaba), was later influenced by the sandalwood trade and, more substantially, by 19th-century <br />ranching activities connected to Parker Ranch, as well as World War 11 military training in the <br />Waikoloa Maneuver Area. Despite these historical activities, the CIA identified no significant <br />cultural practices or traditional resources directly within the project's Area of Potential Effect <br />(APE). It concluded that the proposed development would not interfere with known cultural <br />resources, as the land itself had no direct ties to ongoing Hawaiian practices, though standard <br />protocols would apply if any cultural resources were inadvertently discovered during <br />construction. <br />Finally, the Biological Study found that the area is dominated by non-native plant species <br />and that no rare, threatened, or endangered plant species were identified during the survey as the <br />habitat is considered unsuitable for such species. The presence of invasive species like tree <br />tobacco, which supports the endangered Blackburn's sphinx moth, requires careful management <br />to prevent its spread. <br />Faunal resources included 14 bird species, most of which were non-native, except for a <br />single pueo (Hawaiian short -eared owl) sighting. Feral mammals such as cats, goats, and cattle <br />were observed, all of which are detrimental to the native ecosystem. Although the endangered <br />Hawaiian hoary bat may use the area for seasonal foraging and roosting, no sightings were <br />confirmed during the survey. Invertebrate species like the endangered, yellow -faced bee are <br />unlikely to inhabit the property due to insufficient habitat conditions. <br />Possible adverse effect or impairment of valued resources: As there are no <br />archaeological, historical or cultural resources identified within the proposed project area, no <br />such resources are anticipated to be adversely affected or impaired. <br />While there were no federally listed or endangered species identified within the project <br />area, Hawaiian sea birds and the Hawaiian Hoary Bat have the potential to transit the area thus <br />proposed development has the potential to impact these species. Finally, the presence of the tree <br />tobacco plant on the property can serve to attract the endangered Blackburn's sphinx moth. <br />10 <br />