Kapulena Hamakua EA PBR Final TMK No. 4-7-005 and 006

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KAPULENA AGRICULTURAL PARK FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures There are no large, stationary sources of air pollutants and no major industries that would contribute to air pollution within, or in the vicinity of, the project area. The proposed agricultural activities will generate dust that is expected and acceptable for such activities. 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 spectacular views of the ocean, the upper slopes and summit of Mauna Kea, and the richly vegetated, broad lower slopes descending to the coast. In some mauka areas, near boundaries with private land and the Hdmakua Forest Reserve, there are views of native forest containing koa and `6hi`a trees. The Kapulena Lands themselves are not listed in the General Plan as examples of natural beauty. Current agricultural zoning would preserve the current open space character of the lands. Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures Should agricultural structures be constructed, the heights are limited to 45 -feet. The height limit ensures that visual resources will not be greatly affected should structures be constructed. Additionally, a return to agricultural use could mean removal of ironwood trees which have come to dominate the site's vegetation. Tree removal could serve to provide greater visual access to the coastline or mauka to Mauna Kea. 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, 2,233 people lived in the nearest Census Designated Place (CDP), Honoka`a down from 2,307 in 1990 (DBEDT 2006). In general, the population of the Honoka`a CDP is slightly older than Hawaii 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 with the exception of having a greater percentage of householders over 65 years old living alone. The CDP has a higher instance of occupied housing units than Hawaii County as a whole. Median household income is also slightly higher than the County as a whole. 4 -7