PD Background Report (PL-SMA-2021-000007)

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the closing of sugarcane cultivation in the 1980's the property was reportedly used for cattle pasture and raising pigs. Over most of the property, a variety of grasses dominate the grass layer, including guinea grass, California grass, and Lyon's grass. The tree layer is dominated by fiddlewood, common guava, African tulip, although many other tree species are present, such as albizia, and Chinese banyan. In forested areas there is a variable understory consisting of tree saplings, shrubs, herbs, ferns, and vines, almost all of them non-native. One native shrub is found sparingly but prominently: neneleau (native sumac). The pali edge and the seacliffs exhibit a different vegetation than the rest of the property. They still include fiddlewood, as well as Chinese fan palm, warabi ferns, and various other plants. However,this area is dominated by ironwood,but native species such as hala, naupaka, and nanea are present. Overall, there no uniquely valuable habitats, and there is no existing or proposed federally designated terrestrial critical habitat for plants present on or near the property, and no threatened, endangered, rare, or unusual native plant species were documented. A total of eight (8) bird species were observed during the botanical surveys and the specific bird observation periods, all of them common non-natives of urban, suburban and rural areas in Hawaii. The most common species observed were Japanese white- eyes, common mynas, and striped doves. Few native forest birds would be expected to use the project site due to its low elevation, non-native vegetation, and lack of adequate forest resources. The endangered Hawaiian hoary bat is often found in alien as well as native vegetation in a variety of locations thought the island of Hawaii. These solitary bats are often seen on the Hdmdkua Coast and may be occasionally present in this area. They are vulnerable to disturbance during summer months therefore appropriate conditions to limit tree trimming will be in place. However, no bats were detected during the survey which took place during the day. Only one (1) non-native mammal was observed on the property — what appeared to be semi-feral pigs; it is likely that mongoose, cats, mice, rates, and dogs are also present at times, however, none were observed. 19. Archaeological Resources: As a result of the fieldwork for the current study, a portion of one previously recorded site (Site 50-10-26- 24212) and one newly recorded site (Site -4-