PD BACKGROUND REPORT (PL-SPP-2022-000018 & PL-SMA-2022-000018)

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B. Soils U.S.D.A. Soil Type: Soil within the project site is classified as Kohala silty clay 0-3 % slopes (KhA). These soils consist of well-drained silty clays that formed in material from basic igneous rock influenced by volcanic ash. Prior to establishing Hawaii Island Retreat, the land had been used for sugar production followed by cattle grazing with no pasture management. Upon initiating this project, land was covered with weeds and severely depleted. Lands within Hanaula Gulch are classified as Rough Broken land (RB), a miscellaneous land type used for pasture and wildlife, currently covered with ironwood trees. Land Study Bureau Soil Rating: Soil within the project site is classified as "C" or "Fair" and "E" or "Poor" for agricultural productivity. Soil within the 5 acres designated for the project has been improved with extensive mulching, soil augmentation and other organic methods. Class "E" soils are situated along and within Hanaula Gulch coinciding with the USDA Rough Broken Land soil type, Currently the sides of the gulch are covered with ironwood trees. ALISH: Prime Agricultural Lands and Other Important Agricultural Lands. The Prime Agricultural Lands mainly coincide with "C" soils. Hanaula Gulch is not classified by the ALISH maps. C. FIRM: The subject size is designated Zone "X", areas determined to be outside the 500-year flood plain on the Flood Insurance Rate Map. D. Coastal Ecosystem The Retreat is currently served by four (4) septic systems as directed by the State Department of Health. The additional hale will require additional septic systems and will be installed in accordance with the State Department of Health requirements. No wastewater will be discharged into the ocean. E. Flora and Fauna 1. Flora: A botanical survey of the project site was conducted by James Bos, Ph.D. on February 12, 2001. The study, which confirmed the findings of a 1992 survey for the proposed Kohala Coastal Train by Winona Char, noted that endemic or indigenous species of plants found within the general area were situated within the Conservation District and not within the project site. The study concluded that the proposed project will not impact those endemic and indigenous plants_ Upon beginning the project, the site consisted of pasture, and weeds formerly used for sugar cane, with groves of ironwood along the Hanaula Gulch. Owners have since planted and grow organic gardens for food production; Orchards of Mango, banana, avocados, coconut, citrus; plantings of Hawaiian medicinal plants such 4