COM 0823.000 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chainnan and Members of the County Council Page 5 By letter dated May 17, 2004, the applicant has requested a "no effect" letter from the DLNR-HPD. No professional surveys were conducted of the site. By letter dated June 25, 2004, the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division has indicated that "residential development/urbanization has altered the land; thus, we believe that no historic properties will be affected by this undertaking." The applicant has stated that should any archaeological features or sites be discovered during the development of this project, work will immediately cease and the applicant will notify the Planning Department. No professional flora or fauna surveys were conducted of the site. The applicant does not believe that rare or endangered floral or faunal resources are on the site. The property is located in an urban setting close to existing industrial and commercial uses and was previously cleared and used as a dwelling site. Introduced bird species include the dove, Japanese White-Eye, house finch and mynah. Domestic animals such as cats and dogs and other animals such as rats and mongoose are present on the site. Vegetation on the site includes lychee trees and an avocado tree. Due to its abandoned state, other plants normally associated with abandoned properties are present, including the African tulip and gunpowder trees, ivy gourd and other shrubs. The subject request is not contrary to Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised Statues, relating to Coastal Zone Management. The property is not located in the Special Management Area. The project site is located more than two miles from the shoreline and will not be impacted by coastal hazard and beach erosion. There is no record of a designated public access to the shoreline or mountain areas that traverses the property. According to the applicant, no valued cultural, historical or natural resources exist on the property and there is no evidence of any traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights being practiced on the site. Thus, it is not anticipated that the proposed request will have any adverse impact on cultural or historical resources in the area. Therefore, no action is necessary to protect these rights. In view of the Hawaii State Supreme Court's "PASH" and "Ka Pa'akai O Ka'Aina" decisions, the issue relative to native Hawaiian gathering and fishing rights must be addressed in tenns of the cultural, historical, and natural resources and the associated traditional and customary practices of the site: Investigation of valued resources: No formal archaeological reconnaissance survey, oral history of kamaaina accounts of the area, historical survey of documentary records, botanical and/or fauna study was submitted.