PD Background Report (PL-SMA-2022-000023)

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A pedestrian survey conducted within the near coastal flats of Maku'u Ahupua'a identified five agricultural complexes, a habitation platform, several burials,petroglyphs, and a refuge cave. Archaeological features included rock walls, lava tubes, terraces, platforms, ditches, and cleared garden areas.4 There were only three archaeological sites documented within more than 2.000 acres in the inland portions of Maku'u Ahupua'a. Sites included a rock mound marker, an agricultural terrace and a complex consisting of a large enclosure, a rock mound, a rock wall, and a platform. J. Floral and Faunal Resources. Floral Resources The subject property has false staghorn fern(dicranopteris linearis) and introduced species such as waivi (psidium cattleianum), common guava (psidium guajava), Asian melastoma (melastoma septemnervium), and Koster's curse(clidemia hirta)and consists of largely non-native invasive trees such as octopus (Scheffler a actinophylla) autograph (Clusia Rosea), trumpet (cecropia obrusifolia),ficus(moraceae)and brassias(actinophylla)that must or should be removed and replaced with native species such as Koa (acacia Koa), Nau (gardenia brighamii), kukui tree (Aleurites Moluccana), or even ornamental non-native trees such as plumeria and magnolia which are non-invasive. Next to the coast are native bushes that will remain, such as the native naupaka and mau'u `aki`aki. In the 40 foot setback area (the State setback required in addition to the shoreline easement),it may be necessary to remove some non-native ironwood(casuarina equisetifolia)trees that have been classified as highly invasive. There are several reasons for the removal of this invasive tree. First, the shallow-rooted ironwood trees are not well anchored and could prove dangerous in a major storm or hurricane, as demonstrated by the fallen ironwoods seen in the site photos. Second,the"needles" of this tree have covered the ground throughout the subject property and have chemicals that leach out and essentially kill all other competitors.' One positive is that ironwood makes excellent firewood. It is worth noting that, given the protective measures noted above, as well as the landscaping planned with the planned residence, there would be no loss of or negative impacts to the native species found throughout the property as a result of the proposed improvements and uses of the property. Examples of the Native Species found in the coastal portion of the property are shown in Exhibits L and M. No rare, threatened, or endangered plant species are present on site. Faunal Resources Additionally, due to the lack of available floral resources as well as limited soil formation, the only fauna likely to be on the project site are non-native birds such as Japanese White-eye 'Komori, E. and I. Peterson (1987)Cultural and Biological Resources Survey of the Poho'iki to Puna Substation 69kV Transmission Corridor Kapoho to Kea'au, Puna, Hawai'i Island. s The Nature Conservancy.Australian Pine:Element Stewardship Abstract. In: Wildland Weeds Management&Research Program,Weeds on the Web Page 19 Attachment to SMA Major Use Permit Application of Kerr/Gleason,TMK: (3) 1-5-058 : 053 9