2023-09-08 PL-INT-2023-005229 FINAL EA for Bayfront Hwy and Waianuenue Ave Intersection

Home

Bayfront Highway and Waianuenue Avenue Intersection Improvements Final Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION 2.1.1 Location and Property Description The Project Site is located on Hawaii Island in Downtown Hilo abutting Kaipalaoa Landing Park and Hilo Bay to the northeast, Wailuku River to the northwest and the Downtown Hilo commercial district to the west and south. The Site consists of 5.27 acres of land owned by the State of Hawaii and County of Hawaii and falls within the South Hilo District and the ahupuaa of Piihonua and Punahoa 2 (Figure 1 and Figure 2). The Project Site is mostly situated on dedicated roadway parcels: Bayfront Highway [State-TMK(3) 2-3-002-999 (portion)], Waianuenue Avenue [State-TMK(3) 2-3-005-999 (portion)], and Kamehameha Avenue [County-TMK(3) 2-3-003-999 (portion) and State - TMK (3) 2-3-002-999 (portion)], as well as TMK parcel number (3) 2-3-003: 003 and a portion of TMK(3) 2-3-002-022 collectively referred to hereinafter as the "Project Site" or "Site." While Bayfront Highway is currently HDOT-owned, the mauka half of the roundabout encompassing Kamehameha Avenue is County-owned. HDOT intends to have jurisdiction over the entire roundabout which would require the County-owned section of Kamehameha Avenue to be acquired. See Figure 3. The State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — Land Division had previously provided the following comments during the Draft EA pre-assessment consultation period: The Hawaii District Land Office has reviewed the proposed project outline by HDOT Highways Division and has identified the two parcels [(3) 2-3-002:022 portion, & (3) 2-3-003:003] as having been approved by the Land Board to be set aside to the County of Hawaii. In order to manage and maintain the proposed roundabout, HDOT intends to acquire County- owned property in order to have jurisdiction over the entire area encompassing the roundabout, which would include a portion of the north end of TMK (3) 2-3-003:003 which had previously been set aside for the County of Hawaii. Jurisdictional determination will be resolved prior to construction. See Figure 3 for reference. All of the lands have been graded and are currently used for roadways and associated transportation and infrastructure uses, such as sidewalks, bike paths, parking, landscaped medians, as well as above and below grade infrastructure, including drainage, wastewater, waterlines, and utilities for electrical and telecommunication. The Site is an urban setting featuring a series of signalized intersections with multiple traffic signals, turn lanes and connections to various roadways. The intersection is a signalized five-legged, "T"-intersection located at the northern corner of downtown Hilo. The intersection allows for most vehicular turning movements except for the following movements: CHAPTER 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3