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Mr. Zendo Kern,Director <br /> March 30, 2024 <br /> Page 5 <br /> in terms of surrounding impacts, is no different than accommodation for <br /> family members. More importantly,to have the operator geared for a <br /> family potentially helps address much-needed housing. Collectively, then, <br /> the 5-room B&B within an 8-room dwelling addresses both the housing <br /> and vacationers needs. <br /> The area of the B&B is already being used as such. As such,there should <br /> be no additional environmental, archaeological, or cultural constraints that <br /> would render the site unfeasible for its conversion into an inn. All the <br /> basic infrastructure is already in place. <br /> The site is situated just on the outskirts of Hilo. This has and will continue <br /> to provide another employment opportunity, albeit small, for residents of <br /> this area, some of whom travel outside of the district for employment. <br /> E. Alterine Character of Land <br /> The proposed B&B will not visually transform the character of the land. <br /> Unlike a quarry, for example,the request will not result in the <br /> transformation of a new landform. The basic rural-agricultural ambiance <br /> and landform will still be retained. <br /> The structure is of a residential scale and surrounded by the Applicants' <br /> on-going agricultural activities. Again,visually, this is a"what you see is <br /> what you get", especially as no new structures associated with this project <br /> are being contemplated. <br /> As the subject site has been improved, it is not likely that its use would <br /> result in an irreversible commitment of natural or archaeological <br /> resources. Further,there are no known floral or avifaunal resources on the <br /> site that require protection. There are also no known archaeological or <br /> cultural features on the subject site. <br /> The soil on the parcel has been classified"C" or fair by the Land Study <br /> Bureau,making it conducive for small-scale agricultural activity. That is <br /> evident by the existing use. It is reasoned that the use of the subject site <br /> should indirectly help foster and sustain instead of removing them from <br /> their agricultural use. <br /> F. Unusual Conditions or Trends <br /> In 1999,the Hawai'i Tourism Authority prepared a Tourism Strategic Plan <br /> prepared,wherein the Plan recommended that the State look into tourism <br /> market niche opportunities. Two of these—although somewhat <br /> overlapping—are Agri-Tourism and Edu-Tourism. Agri-Tourism is travel <br />