2024-11-18 PL-CRC-2023-000007 HDOT Response to Comments for Waiaka Bridge

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Mr. Aaron Spielman, Chair HWY-DS 2.21422 November 18, 2024 Page 2 Comment 1. The CRC underscored the importance of and recommends having a cultural and archaeological monitor on site during field work and construction. The CRC makes the request of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to assign such a monitor as part of mitigative commitments. HDOT Response 1: HDOT will work with the SHPO to confirm on site cultural and archaeological monitoring requirements during construction. Comment 2. While the Waiaka bridge is not being rehabilitated in accordance with Secretary of Interior Standards, the CRC finds that the proposed reconstruction of the railing design as a treatment is sympathetic to the original bridge's railing design. The CRC also confirmed that Waiaka is the appropriate name of the bridge. HDOT Response 2: HDOT acknowledges the response regarding proposed design of the new concrete bridge railing and confirms that the new bridge will be named Waiaka Bridge. Comment 3. In addition to the proposed mitigative treatments (i.e., recovery and recordation), the CRC recommends that interpretative signage be considered as a mitigative treatment within the area of potential effect. Interpretative signage content may include Hawaiian etymology, historical, cultural understanding of the Waiaka stream and connected water courses, the ecosystems and biocultural resources they support, the landscape(s) that a pedestrian or passerby are visiting or viewing as they traverse the bridge, or other culturally or historically appropriate content as may be received from consulting or concurring parties, Native Hawaiian Organizations and/or Hawaiian descendants, or other individuals and organizations involved in the Section 106 process. HDOT Response 3: HDOT will incorporate interpretative signage specific in scope to only address the adverse effect to the Waiaka Bridge as part of the project construction contract documents. The interpretive signage will be prepared by a qualified professional in architectural history or historic architecture, in accordance with"Archeology and Historic Preservation: Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines [As Amended and Annotated]." The qualified professional will also have experience with the preparation of plans and specifications for the development of interpretive signs for bridge facilities. The interpretive signage will include historical context related to the Waiaka Bridge and relevant information documented. Comment 4. The CRC recommends that the internal area of the roundabout, approximately 1,520 square feet, be considered for landscaping treatment that includes native