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

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More recent historical accounts pertaining to lands of the project area region are scarce but provide some information on traditional residence patterns, land-use. and subsistence. William Ellis passed through Waikahekahe Nui Ahupua'a in 1823 while travelling along the coastal trail from Kilauea to Waiakea Ahupua'a, Hilo.9 Ellis' journey took him along the coast east of the project area lands. Ellis did not describe the region of Waikahekahe Ahupua'a, but stopped in a small inland village in Honolulu Ahupua'a. and rested in the shade of a canoe house along the coast of Waiakahiula Ahupua'a both south of Waikahekahe Nui, Honolulu Village and a nearby village were inland and small, and the population was dispersed. Ellis also described a village, likely Ha'ena, in Kea'au Ahupua'a, north of Waikahekahe (See Exhibit N, 1886 Map by Wall.) The village was large and populous with an abundance of taro, sweet potato and sugarcane gardens (Ellis 1963:296). He suggested the area was made more fertile by a flowing stream where he quenched his thirst. Waikahekahe Nui Ahupua'a is a thin traditional Hawaiian land division that only extends to 1,130 ft (344 m) amsl. It is bounded to the north and west by Kea'au Ahupua'a. and to the south and west by Waikahekahe Iki Ahupua'a. During the Mahele of 1847-48 and the Kuleana Act of 1850,Waikahekahe Ahupua'a was awarded to Sarah(Sally aka Kale)Kani'aulono Davis as Land Commission award (LCA) 8522 13:3. Sarah Davis (1797-1867) was the first born child of Isaac Davis and chiefess Nakai Nalima'au'alu. Sarah Davis was also awarded land in Honokaula,Maui where she lived,married,raised children, and is buried. Three small Land Grants (LG) were made along the coast south of the project area in Maku'u and Halona Ahupua'a (see Exhibit O, 1922 USGS Map), LG 1013 was purchased by D.W. Maiau, LG 1014 was purchased by Kea, and LG 1537 was purchased by Kapohana. W.H. Shipman leased and later purchased large tracts of land in Kea'au from the estate of Prince Lunalilo as part of the Shipman cattle and sugarcane enterprises in the late 1800s. He added to his property with the purchase of Waikahekahe Nui and others further south. The project area and surrounding lands were not used for growing sugarcane as the soil is too shallow. The area remained unaltered and undeveloped forest with a large variety of introduced and invasive species growing until it was purchased by David Watumull from W.H. Shipman, Ltd in 1959. The land was subdivided and sold as lots in the Hawaiian Paradise Park (HPP) subdivision. HPP is 15.6 square miles divided into approximately 8.800 lots of which one of the lots is the subject property. No cultural practices, traditional and customary native Hawaiian rights have been discovered to be exercised in the area. L. Public Access: Existing public access to and along the shoreline or to mountain Existing public access is provided by undeveloped county property one lot away from the subject property as shown in Exhibit B, the overhead shot of the properties. This access point provides the public opportunities to fish off the rock ledge, walk along the irregular rock shoreline and to simply enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean. The shoreline access points and shoreline uses will not be impacted by the proposed project. 9 Ellis,W. (1963)Journal of William Ellis, Narrative of a Tour of Hawaii, orOwhyee... Honolulu:Advertiser Publishing Co. Page 1 11 Attachment to SMA Major Use Permit Application of Kerr/Gleason,TMK: (3) 1-5-058 : 053 11