Sugg 26-04 redacted - Laserfiche WebLink

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The parcel is under immediate threat of being sold for development by the current landowner, Edmund Olson Trust II(Trust) and is being marketed by the Trust at the current time, as part of its consolidation plans and transition into a perpetual foundation. However, due to the values described above, it would be best if this parcel would be kept in its current use in forest and agriculture through acquisition by a land conservation non-profit organization. This property is not an appropriate area for development for residential purposes due to its remote location, its importance in preserving the watershed and hydrological cycle for the Ka`u coast, the importance of Kohaikalani heiau, and its high scenic value. Development would impact the health of the native forest on the parcel as well as the neighboring parcels in conservation. Consultation with stakeholders is ongoing, with active outreach to ranching tenants Kuahiwi Ranch, MJ Ranch, and Johansen Ranch, the Ka'u CDP Action Committee, and to local conservation non-profits. Consultation with local Native Hawaiian and lineal descendants will also occur as the acquisition process progresses. If TNC does not acquire the Hilea Property, the property will likely be acquired by either a ranching business for cattle ranching or a developer for the development of house lots or subdivisions. There are at least two other interested buyers, one is a ranching business and one is a developer. The developer contracted for an appraisal. Under either scenario of non-TNC acquisition, the native forest will not likely be managed for conservation and thus will remain threatened by incursion of invasive ungulates, weeds, and diseases. Subdivision for agricultural house lots brings artificial lights now absent on the property, unintentional and intentional introduction of invasive pest species including horticultural weeds, insects and pathogens. An additional risk of subdivision is an increased rate of water withdrawal from the source of surface and subsurface flow at Old Plantation Springs, with associated threats to native insect and estuarine fauna described in greater detail below. Purchase by a rancher carries the risk of on-island herd rotation and accompanying introduction of weed species not currently present in the area as well as increased likelihood of water withdrawal from the Old Plantation Springs Tunnel water source located on TNC property upslope that feeds Hilea gulch and the estuarine systems at Kawa Bay and Ninole Springs on the shoreline. If the property is not acquired by TNC, it is likely there will be no contribution to the recovery of the ESA-listed species found on and within the vicinity of the property. Permanent habitat loss and degradation is also likely and therefore ESA-species will be adversely affected. The entire Hilea Property will also be threatened by conversion/development because it is zoned Agriculture. The property has 28 lots of record that allow for development without subdivision approval from the County. There is an existing network of 7.38-miles of"main artery roads" and 11.36-miles of secondary gravel roads. The property is also a potential candidate site for solar, hydro-electric and wind energy production, with examples of each of these now operational in Ka`u. Sugg.26-04