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

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KAPULENA AGRICULTURAL PARK FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 5.0 ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SERVICES, AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES This chapter discusses the existing infrastructure of the project area and the proposed infrastructure improvements. Mitigation measures have also been identified to address potential impacts. 5.1 TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES Existing Roadways. The site is accessed by private roads from the Honoka`a- Waipi`o Road (Highway 240). Honoka`a- Waipi`o Road is a two lane road with a paved shoulder of varying width. It serves as the primary access to Waipi`o Valley. Traffic includes local vehicles, 4- wheel drive tour operators and rented automobiles that are driven by visitors to the Waipi`o lookout, turn- around and return south through Honoka`a. The primary access to the Kapulena Lands from the Honoka`a- Waipi`o Road is by "Quarry Road ", a paved former cane road maintained by the County. The portion of this road not on County -owned lands is privately owned by Kamehameha Schools (TMK 4 -6 -5:001 and 4 -6- 4:007). The County recently obtained an easement from Kamehameha Schools to establish legal rights to use this road through Kamehameha Schools' property. The portion of the easement that is not a subdivided roadway lot is defined by metes and bounds. This cane road connects to Mud Lane, an unimproved government road. The County obtained easements from Kamehameha Schools and another private owner, Mauka -Makai Corp., to enable access to Mud Lane. Other former cane haul roads on -site that once provided mauka -makai access are heavily overgrown with Guinea grass and appear to be unused or infrequently used for any activity. Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures The proposed agricultural park may cause traffic to increase slightly on roads that access the properties to manage the land. Impacts are not, however, expected to be significant. The County will maintain the primary access road to the site, as it presently does. The County has obtained easement rights for the portions of the main access road over private property to resolve any legal access questions. The agricultural park plan includes fencing of this road to protect the public's safety from entering active cattle paddocks. In order to minimize potential impacts associated with this reduction in access for hunters or other cultural practitioners, two former cane haul roads connecting the Waipi`o- Honoka`a Road and the quarry access road have been cleared of Guinea grass and are now more functional. It is expected that at least one of these roads will remain open, providing access for project use and cultural practitioners alike. 5.2 WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES The Lower Hamakua Ditch passes through the makai (north) portion of this site. The nearest County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply domestic water facility is the Kukuihaele water system located approximately 3,200 feet from the southeast corner of TMK 4 -7- 006:018. The DWS has stated that they will not allow additional services until extensive water system improvements are made. Comments from the DWS dated February 8, 2011 (Appendix F) confirm that the Kukuihaele Water System does not have adequate capacity to support the project at this time. 5 -1