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