PD Recommendation Report Black Sand Beach (PL-SMA-2023-046)

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of the recorded sites (Sites 50-10-68-03512, -03513, -03515, -03519 to -03522, -03524, - 04309, -04310, -04330, -04360, -04368, -07361, and -07370), and new SIHP designations were assigned to nineteen of the sites (Sites 50-10-68-24897 through - 24916). The sites documented in the 2006 AIS were in various states of disrepair. It was determined that approximately 75% of the petroglyphs originally documented were reported destroyed, most likely being bulldozed during construction of the Punalu'u Beach Park access road and parking lot. Cultural land resources include plants, such as coconut, kukui, noni, tea plants, hau, hala, various medicine (undisclosed) plants, lei flower and seeds. One of the major cultural resources of the Punalu'u area is the ocean, bays, coves, and coastal areas as they provide for the continued cultural practices of fishing and gathering. Many of the cultural practices today continue to include marine and land resources. the entire Punalu'u area (Punalu'u, Nmole, Hama, Wailau and Hilea) still has an abundance of cultural resources in spite of prior plantation and resort activities simply because the people of this area continue to practice these cultural traditions. And despite the vegetation overgrowth and dilapidated former resort structures, the area continues to be utilized by locals and visitors alike. The proposed development will likely impact some cultural resources during and after construction, such as sub-surface structures, midden, artifacts or unmarked reburials. Possible adverse effects or impairment of valued resources: Given the limited scope of the proposed activities within the project site, the applicant is not able to identify any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of cultural, historical, recreational, or ecological resources as a result of the proposed improvements. As mentioned above, this application presents a proposal that protects valued coastal resources in the area by properly managing all facilities and resources. Decades of neglect have severely impacted this area and without proper management and preservation will lead towards the continued loss of valuable resources and opportunities. The applicant, along with its community stakeholders, will commit its resources towards the revitalization of Punalu'u in a manner that can be embraced by the community of Ka`u. Feasible actions to protect native Hawaiian rights: Preservation and Burial Treatment plans are recommended to properly care for identified archaeological features -12-