COM 0400.000 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The request for a Project District will not result in a substantial adverse impact upon the surrounding area, community or region. The property is located along the makai side of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway adjacent to and south of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) project. The Kona International Airport at Keahole is located further north of the property. The applicant also owns the adjacent vacant land on the makai side that abuts the shoreline. The adjacent land to the south is vacant. Further south is the Kaloko-Honokohau National Park. The subject property was previously owned by the State of Hawaii and proposed for expansion of the NELHA project. However, the property was subsequently transferred from the State to a previous private landowner as part of a land exchange. The applicant's objective is to develop a mixed-use project while still protecting the important cultural and environmental and environmental resources of the area. The applicant has recognized the benefits of planning and designing a project in a manner that is sensitive to the natural features and unique heritage of the land. The overall design theme provides generous landscaping throughout the project, including the main roadways and common open spaces. There are two archaeological sites on the property, the Mamalahoa Trail and a cave shelter associated with the trail. There is a commitment on the part of the applicant to preserve these cultural resources and protect these sites during construction by providing protective buffers. Subsequently, interpretive as well as cautionary signage will be established to educate the public about the cultural significance of the resources. As a condition of approval, the applicant will be required to work with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) to prepare a Preservation Plan of the two sites. Adherence to this plan should adequately protect the resources and effectively mitigate any potential impacts. Conditions of approval have been proposed to deal with potential impacts from the development, including wastewater treatment, water quality monitoring, and storage of industrial fluids. -4-