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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW CHANGE OF ZONE REQUEST FOR TMK 7-4-4:16 HONOKOHAU, NORTH KONA, HAWAII by Ron Terry. Ph.D. September 1997 Introduction This Environmental Review (ER) was developed at the request of Greg Mooers as supporting material for a change of zone request that is being submi[ted to the Hawaii County Planning Department. The rezoning applies to a l.6-acre property fron[ing Palani Road (State Highway l90), approximately 3 miles mauka from the center of Kailua-Kona and 1 mile makai of Palani Junction (see attached map). The property is bordered by residences, farms and a private school. The landowner is Marion K. Bush. The parcel is currently zoned A-la (Agriculture, minimum lot size l acre), is classified in the Stale Land Use Urban District, and is designated in the Hawaii County General Plan for Low Densi[y Urban Expansion. The request would rezone the parcel to County zone RS-10 (Residential, minimum lot size (0,000 square feet). After rezoning, current plans call for subdivision into five lots, all greater than 10,000 square feet. it is expected that residences will be built on each lot. Methodology Methodology included field survey and examination of published records related to the environmental conditions on the site. Field surveys of the property were conducted on two occasions in July and September 1997. The primary objective was to determine whether any rare or endangered species, or habitat for such species, were present on the parcel. A secondary objective was to characterize the Flora and fauna by l) compiling a plant species list that would include the most common alien species and all native species encountered; 2) characterizing the general vegetation [ypes present; and 3) assessing the quality of habita[ for native fauna. A final objective was to identify any other sensitive environmental conditions or potential impacts. The edges of the property were walked, with repeated forays towards the center, and then the center of the property was walked, with forays toward the sides. Dense vegetation on the property borders prevented l00 percent visual survey, and therefore survey involved intensive examination of representa[ive sample areas. Records, maps and publications examined included the zoning maps, parcel maps and records, State Land Use District Maps. and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) maintained at the Hawaii County Planning and Public Works Departments. Published sources included the Atlas of Hawaii (2nd ed.), the Manual of Flowering Plants of Hawaii, the Rainfall Atlas