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

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HAMAIWA LAND SALE: I<OHOLALELE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Manufacturing in the area is limited to processing agricultural crops, although a number of entities have been pursuing development of co- generation power plant on the Hamakua Coast (Pacific Business News, January 2, 2009). The Hamakua District also encompasses the astronomy facilities at Mauna Kea. According to the Hawaii General Plan, astronomy has contributed over $619,000,000 to the State's economy and employs 270 permanent positions. These numbers are expected to increase should the Thirty -Meter Telescope (TMT) proposed by a consortium of universities, receive entitlements and be constructed (Hawaii Tribune Herald, 2009). Table 2 Employment Status Subject Pa`auilo CDP Hawaii County Number Percent Number Percent Population 16 years and older 444 100 114,647 100.0 In labor force 250 56.3 70,791 61.7 Employed Civilian Population 223 100 64,797 100 Service Occupations 64 28.7 14,403 22.2 Management and Professional Occupations 36 16.1 19,607 30.2 Sales and Office Occupations 59 26.5 16,309 25.1 Farming, Fishing and Forestry Occupations 13 5.8 2,449 3.8 Construction, Extraction and Maintenance 23 10.3 6,454 9.9 Occupations Production, Transportation and Material 28 12.6 5,757 8.9 Moving Occupations Median household income $34,659 — $39,805 — Of the residents aged 16 years or older recorded for Pa `auilo CDP in the 2000 census, approximately 56 percent were in the labor force (DBEDT 2005). Of the employed civilian population over the age of 16, 28.7 percent worked in service occupations, 16.1 percent in management and professional occupations and 26.5 percent in sales and office occupations. Smaller numbers worked in production, transportation, and materials moving (12.6 percent); construction (10.3 percent); and in farming, fishing and forestry (5.8 percent). Median household income in the year 2000 was $34,659 for the Pa`auilo CDP. This compares with a median income of $39,805 for Hawaii County and $49,820 for the state (DBEDT 2005). For the year 2009, the Hawaii County unemployment rate was reported to be 9.6 percent in December, with a statewide unemployment rate of 6.2 percent for the same month. Thus, the employment status of those in Pa`auilo and surrounding areas may have been affected by the recent economic downturn. Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures Sale of the site itself will not significantly affect economic conditions in the community. However, the future potential agricultural use of the lands can only enhance the agricultural economic base of the Hamakua area. The potential increase in agricultural activity would likely create long term agricultural related jobs together with short -term, construction - related jobs resulting from the potential construction of farm dwellings. Should any of the purchasers decide 4-11