RES 294 Draft 01 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cultural Resources The 8 -acre project site itself appears to have contained very few valued natural resources such as traditional quarries or water features, although plants important for cultural purposes (e.g., ko`oko'olau) were probably present. Today. alien vegetation has replaced native species almost entirely.. leaving only the most common natives. Still present are two native plants with ethnobotauical value, the `uhaloa (Wallheria huliea) and maiapilo (C'cy-paris sandwichiana). The former species is extremely common in many parts of the Big Island; the latter is less common but relatively well- distributed throughout the kula kai. As part of the current study an effort was made to obtain information about any potential traditional cultural properties and associated practices that night be present, or have taken place in the project area. The Office of I lawaiian Affairs, the Kuakini Hawaiian Civic Club of Kona, the Kona Hawaiian Civic Club, the Eolith Kanaka`ole Foundation, and Na Po'e Hoa 'Aina were contacted in an attempt to obtain information on tradition cultural properties and practices in the project area, but these groups did not provide any relevant information. Based on historical research and oral interviews, as well as review of natural and historical resources, it is reasonable to conclude that the only potentially valued cultural, natural or historical resources within the project site consist of the rare native plants (ko'oko`olau and maiapilo) found in the collapsed lava tube. Although there is no evidence of gathering or use of this patch of plants, this area is being preserved, along with an archaeological site. The proposed project site does not appear to have been used for traditional cultural purposes in the recent memory of any of the extensive list of interviewees consulted as part of oral history research performed for nearby projects, and consultation for this project has not revealed any use. It is reasonable to conclude that based upon the limited range of resources and the proposed mitigation to all affected resources, including rare plants, the exercise of native Hawaiian rights related to gathering, access or other customary activities will not be affected, and there will be no adverse effect upon cultural practices or beliefs.