Koholalele Hamakua EA PBR Final TMK No. 4-2-005:001

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HAMAKUA LAND SALE: KOHOLALELE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures The proposed sale does not involve any ground disturbing activities, therefore it will not impact these archaeological features. If the site is subsequently used for agricultural purposes, it is not expected that crop production will take place within the gulches. Thus, it is likely that the rock mounds will remain undisturbed should agricultural uses commence. The AIS conducted for this assessment concludes that each of the features have been fully documented and thus, recommends no further archaeological work be conducted for the sites. In the future, land owners should be aware that in the event that archaeological discoveries are made during earth disturbing activities or construction, work should cease and further coordination with the State Historic Preservation Division should ensue. Should human remains be found, Rules of Practice and Procedure Relating to Burial Sites and Human Remains (HAR Title 13, Subtitle 13, Chapter 300) should be followed. 4.2 CULTURAL RESOURCES A Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) in compliance with Act 50 of the State of Hawaii (2000) was conducted in order to identify and address effects of the proposed land sale on Hawai`i's culture as well as traditional and customary rights. Preparation of the CIA followed the guidelines provided by the Office of Environmental Quality in 1997. This included documenting methods for selection of informants and agencies interviewed; following ethnographic interview procedures; reviewing historical materials; and, an analysis of the potential effects of the proposal on cultural resources. The CIA found that the project site was awarded to Ka`ilakanoa (LCA 26 -B, R.P. 4527) as part of a single large Land Commission Award. Ka`ilakanoa was an ali`i from Maui that has thought to have received control of the ahupua`a from Hewahewa, the kahuna nui of Kamehameha Pai`ea. Seven kuleana plots were also awarded within the ahupua`a: Kaaiawaawa (LCA 9844), Kaikuaana (LCA 8298), Moano (LCA 10174), Nuumalolo (LCA 10546), Puahewa (LCA 9843), Pumanamana (LCA 10601), Kookooku (LCA 8297) (See Peralto, Exhibit E). These kuleana plots are makai of the project site. As described in the previous section of this report, there is very limited pre- historic information about the site and surrounding lands. The CIA reports that the Koholalele ahupua`a and surrounding lands were thought to be sparsely populated due to poor access to marine resources and distance from population centers such as Hilo, Waimea and Waipi`o. In published mo `olelo, Koholalele, translated as, "leaping whale" is mentioned in the Heart Stirring Story of Ka -Miki. This story was published between 1914 and 1917 although the story is set in the 1300's. No other mention of Koholalele was found in published mo `olelo. More information is available regarding the sugar industry which affected plantation lands such as the site and surrounding area. The site was in sugarcane production for approximately 100 years until 1994 when Hamakua Sugar closed its doors. The CIA provides a history of sugar in Hawaii, citing references to some of the earliest mentions of sugar production in the early 1800's. Large -scale sugar production on the Island of Hawaii was in operation by 1839. At that ..