2025-11-03 PL-CRC-2025-000038 HIFL Draft AIS Testing Strategy

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Kauai Cable Landing Site (Nukoli`i Beach and Kauai Community College) The proposed cable landfall on the island of Kaua`i is located at Nukoli`i Beach,just north of Hanamaulu, and the proposed CLS is located at Kaua`i Community College (KCC) (Figure 2, attached). Project ground disturbance at the cable landfall will include the excavation and installation of a BMH,measuring 23 ft by 17 ft by 12 ft depth (7 m x 5.2 m x 3.7 m),and the excavation of approximately 2,430 linear feet(ft) (741 meters [m]), at a depth of 5 ft(1.5 m), for the installation of fiber optic conduit,extending from the BMH along sections of Kauai Beach Road and Kauai Beach Drive and connecting with existing utility infrastructure located within the Kuhio Highway ROW. Project ground disturbance at KCC for the CLS will include the installation of a generator foundation pad,measuring 9 ft by 4 ft by 2 ft deep (2.7 m x 1.2 m x 0.6 m),and excavation of approximately 20 linear ft(6.1 m), at a depth of 3 ft(0.9 m), for the installation of conduit for an electrical line connecting to existing infrastructure at KCC. Previous archaeological studies have identified one historic property within the boundaries of the Nukoli`i Beach portion of the project area,consisting of State Inventory of Historic Places (SIHP) 50- 30-08-02235,an early 1960s water control ditch which crosses beneath Kauai Beach Drive (Figure 3, attached).No historic properties have been previously identified within the KCC portion of the project area (Figure 4, attached). The closest identified historic property consists of features associated with the Lihue Plantation,SIHP 50-30-11-02179.A literature review and field inspection (LRFI) of the project area was conducted by Pacific Legacy for the current project.The field inspection documented a portion of SIHP-02235 and two additional potential historic property features,both located within the Nukoli`i Beach portion of the project area (Figure 5, attached).The newly identified features consist of a possible concrete jetty remnant(T-001) and a small drainage ditch with metal drainage gate (T-002). The proposed AIS testing strategy for the Kauai portion of the project area consists of nine (9) test trenches (NB-01 through NB-08, NB-10) and one (1)test unit(NB-09).The test trenches measure 5 m long by 0.7 m wide (Figure 6 and Figure 7, attached). Eight test trenches target the Nukoli`i Beach portion of the project area and include one test trench in the location of the BMH (NB-01),as well as seven test trenches generally distributed along the length of the fiber optic conduit trench (NB-02 through NB-08). One test unit(NB-09) measuring 1 m long by 0.5 m wide will be excavated within the landscaped margin of Kuhio Highway ROW in the location of the tie-in to existing utility infrastructure.Areas containing more culturally sensitive soils (i.e., Mokuleia fine sandy loam)have a higher concentration of test trenches (NB-01,NB-02,NB-07, and NB-08) (Figure 8, attached). Based on the limited proposed ground disturbance within the KCC portion of the project area,as well as the results of previous archaeological studies,one test trench (NB-10) is proposed within this area,targeting the exterior location of the generator foundation pad(Figure 9, attached). Oahu Cable Landing Site (Barbers Point Beach Park) The proposed cable landfall on the island of 0`ahu is located at Barbers Point Beach Park in Kalaeloa and the proposed CLS is located in central Honolulu at DR Fortress (Figure 10, attached). Project ground disturbance is limited to the cable landfall at Barbers Point Beach Park. Ground disturbance will include the excavation and installation of two BMHs, each measuring 23 ft by 17 ft by 12 ft depth (7 m x 5.2 m x 3.7 m),and the excavation of approximately 685 linear ft(209 m),at a depth of 4 ft(1.2 m), for the installation of a fiber optic conduit, extending from the BMHs to existing utility infrastructure located at the end of Ola`i Street by the park entrance. Previous archaeological studies have not identified historic properties within the 0`ahu portion of the project area,and the field inspection completed by Pacific Legacy did not identify any potential historic properties. Previous studies have identified sites in the vicinity that reflect both pre- and post-Contact activities in the Barbers Point area.The surrounding area is relatively flat,dotted with numerous limestone kalua (pit caves). Previous archaeological investigations have revealed an Pacific Page 2 of 41 Legacy Hso pY'MCn am l