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

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HAMAIWA LAND SALE: I<OHOLALELE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Potential agricultural uses, such as pesticide spraying, would need to be undertaken in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations. 4.5 VISUAL RESOURCES AND OPEN SPACE The natural beauty of Hawaii is universally recognized and considered to be a significant and valuable asset. Various portions of the site offer views of the ocean. Since the last sugar harvest, ironwood trees have come to dominate the site's landscape and obscure views. Greater opportunities for views of the ocean, the upper slopes and summit of Mauna Kea, and the richly vegetated, broad lower slopes descending to the coast may be possible from the site if thinning or clearing took place. In some mauka areas, near boundaries with private land and the Hamakua Forest Reserve, there are views of native forest containing koa and `ohi`a trees. The Koholalele property is not listed in the General Plan as a site of natural beauty. Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures The sale of the site involves no development or land alteration, and thus, will not affect visual resources in the vicinity. Should future land owners choose to construct farm dwellings or agricultural structures, the heights for a residential structure within the agricultural district are limited to 35 -feet and 45 -feet for all other structures. The height limit ensures that visual resources will not be greatly affected should future land owners decide to construct farm dwellings and related agricultural structures. 4.6 SOCIO- ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 4.6.1 Community Profile At the time of the 2000 U.S. census, Hawaii County's population was 148,677, having grown from 120,317 in 1990. At same time, 571 people lived in the nearest Census Designated Place (CDP), Pa`auilo down from 587 in 1990 (DBEDT 2006). In general, the Pa `auilo CDP is slightly younger than Hawai `i County as a whole, and has a racial mix that is significantly less Caucasian and significantly more Asian. Households in the CDP roughly correspond with household types, except that households are slightly larger and more likely to include individuals 18 and younger and 65 and older. In 2000, the CDP also had a higher instance of occupied housing units than Hawaii County as a whole. Median household income was also slightly lower than the County as a whole. W