PD Background Report COH-Parks & Rec (PL-SMA-2023-031 & PL-SSV-2023-003)

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Damselflies and other seabirds. DOFAW provided recommendations to mitigate impacts on these species. 19. Archaeological/Cultural Resources: Haun & Associates prepared an Archaeological Inventory Survey (AIS) for the project area in August 2022 that identified three (3) archaeological sites within the project area. The three sites include two walls and a basketball/volleyball court. The three sites are associated with the remnants of the Miloli `i School. The AIS assessed all sites in the area as significant under criterion "d" (yielding information important for research on history or prehistory). Based on the documentation of the sites in the AIS, no further work was recommended and there were no sites identified within the project area that are listed on the State or National Registers of Historic Places. The AIS was submitted to the State Department of Land and Natural Resources - Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) for review and acceptance and in a letter dated July 15, 2022, SHPD determined that no historic properties were to be affected by the proposed project. A Cultural Impact Analysis for the proposed improvements to the Miloli `i Beach Park Improvements was not completed. The Applicant did however provide a September 2006 Cultural Impact Assessment for the South Kona Watershed Irrigation System Project and a February 2012 Cultural Impact Assessment for the Miloli`i Community Enrichment and Historical Center with their SMA Use Permit Application and Shoreline Setback Variance Application. The analysis of the previous assessments concluded that there was no indication of any kind that the overall projects had any natural resources necessary to or currently being used by native Hawaiian cultural practitioners exercising traditional and customary access and use rights for any purposes or by individuals of any other cultural affiliation for any traditional cultural purposes. Conversely, both assessments concluded that the proposed projects at the time would likely benefit the area and the community's cultural resources and practices. Additionally, in efforts to ensure the local community was involved in discussions regarding the proposed beach park accessibility improvements, the Department of Parks and Recreation scheduled community meetings at Miloli`i Beach Park on October 18, 2019, and November 3, 2019. Due to the circumstances of COVID-19, a third meeting was delayed until May 16, 2021, to follow-up on community concerns. A frequently identified concern was that the project was changing the park with the intention of increasing tourist visitation. -5-