COM 0907.000 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Stacy Higa, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 4 Kona area along the north and west slopes of Hualalai is considered to be the center of concentration for breeding 'Alala. The Plan recommends that portion of the lands of Kaloko above approximately the 3,200 feet to 3,400 feet elevation, including all parcels in Blocks 8 through 13 of Kaloko Mauka Subdivision, be designated as an essential habitat for the 'Alala. The subject property is located within Block 12 at approximately the 4,600-foot elevation. Once such a habitat is secured, a specific management plan for each habitat needs to be developed which would address the improvement of food supplies, protection from grazing, predators and wildfires, and other management and monitoring activities to provide for a stable and secure environment for the recovery of the 'Alala. The property is located at the elevation recommended for preservation as a habitat for the 'Alala. No comments were received from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As part of the Office of State Planning's five-year State Land Use District Boundary Review, the Water Resources Research Center recommends that the high rainfall and fog-drip area mauka of the 2,000-foot elevation be redesignated into the Conservation District for protection as a watershed recharge area. The Kona Watershed, which provides for the recharge of aquifers which supplies most of Kona's drinking water, includes those lands located within the Kaloko Mauka Subdivision and situated above the 1,900 foot elevation, which includes the subject property. The subject property, located at the 4,600-foot elevation, does not seriously compromise the recommendations of these studies beyond existing conditions. Although the property is located within the water recharge area, the condition will be included to retain 80% of the forest cover on the site to preserve the watershed qualities and watershed area. Approval of the requested change of zone will not alter the existing land use conditions within Kaloko Mauka Subdivision. Uses permitted within the Agricultural District will allow for a variety of agricultural activities to be conducted on the property. There have been several archaeological studies conducted in the area. An archaeological investigation of the Kaloko ahupua'a was conducted in 1970 and 1971 by Huehue Ranch, the developer of the Kaloko Mauka Subdivision. In addition, the National Park Service published a report in 1991 titled, "An Ahupuaa Study: The 1971 Archaeological Work at Kaloko Ahupuaa, North Kona." This study identified remains of an agricultural field system up to the 3,500-foot elevation at certain locations. According to the applicant, there is no record of historic sites on the property in either the National or State Registers. By letter dated January 8, 2006, the applicant has requested a "no effect" letter from the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division."