PD Background Report (PL-SMA-2022-000025)

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Zone which represents a coastal flood zone with velocity hazard (wave action); BFE determined. The BFE, or Base Flood Elevation is the water surface elevation of the 1% annual chance flood. Despite this designation at Ale`ale`a Point this small section of Parcel 001 is well outside of any construction actions considered in this application. 19. Flora/Faunal Resources: The subject properties have been nearly fully developed for over 100 years with the mill and Wainaku Center. Native plants and vegetation have slowly been replaced by non-native species such as guinea grass, Melotia, Chinese Banyan and Albizia. Native species are present on the property but are located at the ocean edge along the steep pali faces outside of the seawall structures. Species such as Hala, (Pandanus odoritissimus); Kamani, (Calophyllum inophyllum); Ni'u (Coconut, Cocos nucifera.); and Ulu (Breadfruit, Artocarpus oltillus) are sporadically found. Mango, (Mangifera indica), Golden bamboo, (Bambusa vulgaris) and a host of decorative landscape plants were planted under SMA 367 in 1997 through 1998. No endangered species or species of concern have been found or are anticipated on the subject parcels. There are no known native mammals found on the subject parcels, however, it is possible that the Hawaiian Hoary Bat, (Opeapea, Laziurus cinereus) could occupy the tree tops and mid -level branches for rest during the daylight hours. A'ama crab, (Grapsus tenuicrustatus) are found on the shoreline rocks and the vertical walls of the stone seawall. Nonnative Tahitian prawns, (Macrobrachium lar) inhabit the small stream that dissects parcel 001 beyond the train tunnel feature. Based on observations, no native river species were found in this stream such as O'opu, Opae, or Wi. 20. Archaeological/ Historical Resources: Scientific Consultant Services, Inc. prepared a Draft Archeological Inventory Survey (AIS) (Planning Department Exhibit 2 — Archeological Inventory Survey (AIS) dated January 2023) for the project area in January 2023. One previously identified archaeological site (Site #50-10-35-21133), the Hilo Sugar Company Wainaku Sugar Mill facilities, was documented during the AIS study. Site #50-10-35-21133 consisted of 16 early Historic era to Modern era sugar mill features. The features were remnant portions of several building foundations, a renovated warehouse building, a railroad tunnel, two segments of seawall, a mill yard, and a reinforced concrete flume trestle. Site #50-10-35-21133 is assessed as significant under criteria "a" and "d" and the intact Feature 4 railroad tunnel and Feature 6 seawalls are recommended for -5-