PD Recommendation Report HICDC (PL-REZ-2023-054)

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improvements,prior to issuance of Final Subdivision Approval. The request is not contrary to Chapter 205A,Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to Coastal Zone Management. The project site is located over one mile from the nearest shoreline and is not situated within the SMA. Thus, the property will not be affected by coastal hazards and beach erosion. There are no identified recreational resources, historic resources,public access to the shoreline or mountain areas, scenic and open space preserves, coastal ecosystems, or marine resources on the subject property. In view of the Hawai`i State Supreme Court's PASH and "Ka Pa`akai O Ka`aina" decisions, the issue relative to native Hawaiian gathering and fishing rights must be addressed in terms of the cultural, historical, and natural resources and the associated traditional and customary practices of the site: Investigation of valued resources: No formal archaeological reconnaissance survey, oral history of kama`aina accounts of the area, historical survey of documentary records, or botanical study was included in the application, however, during the original rezoning process in 2009, the Department of Land and Natural Resources— State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) determined that"no historic properties will be affected by this project" after a SHPD staff archaeologist conducted site visits for all development phases of the project. The valued cultural, historical, and natural resources found in the rezoning area: As mentioned above, SHPD determined that no historic properties would be affected. Furthermore, as the site has been historically utilized for sugar cane cultivation and for cattle grazing. The predominant vegetation type on the property is characterized as pastureland comprised of a mixed grass and herb association with scattered shrubs. The vegetation of the site is dominated by introduced or alien species with no candidate, proposed, or listed threatened or endangered species identified. Fauna resources including the Short-eared Owl or Pueo and the Hawaiian Hawk or `Io are known to the area and are commonly found in open grasslands and agricultural lands in Kohala. In a letter dated October 17, 2005, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife had no objections to the project, with no further need for consultation. There are no known features of cultural importance, there is no known history of traditional practices associated with the property, nor is there any record of a designated -5-