COM 0865.001 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Draft Environmental Assessment June, 1998 Old Hilo Wastewater Treatment _int Page 8 6.2 Topography and Climate The city of Hilo lies at the base of the lower southeastern slopes of Mauna Loa at elevations ranging from sea level at Hilo bay to 600 feet above mean sea level (MSL) along the urban fringe. The wastewater facility lies along the shoreline of Hilo Bay. Land slopes in this area are nearly flat. Orographic rainfall predominates in Hilo as wind currents force moisture-laden clouds to condense as they move upward along the mountain slopes. Rainfall averages approximately 130 inches per year along the shore. Average temperatures range between 65 and 80 degrees, and persistent tradewinds average seven miles per hour with diurnal shifts in wind direction. 6.3 Infrastructure Electrical power, telephone communication utilities, sewer and water lines are tied into the subject property. 6.4 Land Use Zoning The project site is classified as Urban, and zoned as Open area. It is a government exempt parcel owned by State of Hawaii, and made available for use by the County of Hawaii by Executive Order. The facilities on the project site are currently out of service, except the new Pua Street Pump Station and associated sewers and outfall pipelines that are located on the site and which will be retained by the County (Figures 3 and 4). Kalanianaole Avenue borders the project site to the southeast. The remainder of the property is surrounded by the state owned undeveloped Hawaiian homelands to the southwest, Puhi Bay and beach park to the north and Keaukaha Beach Park to the northeast. The nearest residential areas are located across Kalanianaole Avenue. The nearest business facility is Texaco Bulk Plant which is next to the west side of the state owned undeveloped Hawaiian homelands. 6.5 Soil The soil at the project site is classified as a Keaukaha series, extremely rocky muck (USDA, 1973). It is a well drained, thin organic soil that overlies pahoehoe lava bedrock. This soil generally follows the topography of the underlying pahoehoe lava. The topsoil is a layer of dark brown mulch that is highly permeable and strongly acidic. Due to high permeability, runoff from the soil is medium and the erosion hazard is slight. Average annual soil temperature ranges from seventy two (72) °F to seventy four (74) °F.