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

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Strategies 1.5 and 1.6 talk of the importance of agricultural education program and community cultural program, respectively. As well as guests of the retreat and interns, the added accommodations will make it more feasible to support and promote sustainability and agricultural programs. Strategy 1.7 Addresses cultural and historical preservation in the community. The land of Ahu Pohaku Ho'omaluhia (Honaula Gulch) is abundant with historical sites that have been cared for, history shared, and preserved since 2001. There are old pillars still standing that supported the sugar train. There are stone structures believed to be from the time of Kamehameha E Kahi. Strategy 1.8 Importance of Agricultural lands is addressed with the on-going rebuilding of the soil that was depleted with sugar cane agriculture that used extensive herbicides and pesticides. Green waste, paper and cardboard are composted and used for mulch; animal fertilizer is added to compost; companion planting is incorporated and inoculation with beneficial bacteria was added. Strategy 1.9 talks of the need for view plane protection along the Akoni Pule Highway corridor. Hawaii Island Retreat is more than a a mile from the Highway and not seen from the Highway Coastal Access Goal A public access program was developed and implemented. (See Figure 4) The plan includes parking stalls and designation of trails, all of which were incorporated prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy Permit in 2009. The trails are maintained with mowing by the Applicant. Many local fishermen and opi'hi pickers use these trails to reach the cove and ocean. Others use the trails for recreation, primarily hiking. D. Zoning The County zoning designation of the site is Agricultural (A-20a). The minimum lot size for this zoning district is twenty (20) acres. The subject property is considered non-conforming relative to area. Within the A-20a zone, the Applicant's existing uses such as the agricultural activities are permitted uses. A Special Permit was already issued for the 16-room Retreat. Its expansion would require an amendment to the Permit. It should be noted that within the County Agriculture zone, a "lodge" is considered a permitted use. The Zoning Code defines "lodge" as a "building orgroup of buildings, under single management, containing transient lodging accommodations without individual kitchen facilities, and no more than forty guest rooms or suites, and generally located in agricultural, rural, or other less populated area. 9