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 The agricultural park is not expected to immediately affect the demographics of the area. The use is anticipated to help contribute to the long term viability of agriculture in the region, positively affecting Hamakua's population and family incomes. No mitigation measures are planned. 4.6.2 Housing There are currently no homes on the site. The homes that exist near the project site are dispersed on large agricultural lots. A more dense concentration of housing exists along Honoka`a- Waipi `o Road. Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures Although an increase in agricultural activity would be beneficial, the lack of water and infrastructure will probably limit the intensity of such agricultural uses and it is assumed that any need for housing will be reasonably accommodated by existing housing in the area. Based on the foregoing, no adverse impacts to housing are expected, and no mitigation measures are planned. 4.6.3 The Economy and Employment The Hawaii County General Plan (County of Hawaii 2005a) discusses the economy of the Hamakua District, of which the Kapulena Lands are a part. Despite the closing of Hamakua Sugar in 1994, the population of the Hamakua region has grown moderately, primarily due to the development of major resorts in the neighboring district of Kohala. The economy has come to depend on cattle, macadamia nuts, and diversified agriculture. There are numerous cattle ranches in Hamakua and several varieties of crops are grown in addition to macadamia nuts. Investments in the timber industry have also been made in Hamakua, including a large eucalyptus plantation and a community -based forestry imitative at `0`6kala. Crops grown in the Hamakua area are taro, watermelon, tomatoes, ginger, kava, coffee, sweet potato and other vegetables. Manufacturing in the area is limited to processing agricultural crops, although there is a 60- megawatt co- generation power plant at Haina that still has the potential to encourage other manufacturing activities (County of Hawaii 2005a). The Hamakua District also encompasses the astrological 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). F•