Waipi'o Lookout Draft Environmental Assessment

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systematic testing for arsenic was conducted,but the fact that cultivation likely ceased around or before mid-century on this property,which does not appear to have housed a mill, equipment yard or other industrial facility,lowers the chances that arsenic would be present. Based on these factors,there does not appear to be sufficient justification for systematic testing. In most areas of the State,mere use as a cane field would not indicate the presence or likely presence of hazardous materials;however, due to recent discoveries of high levels of arsenic around Kea`au,the County may choose to do a screening sample for arsenic before preparing work orders for site work that may expose contractors to on-site soil. The objective of an arsenic screening would be to reduce the probability of contractor change orders as a result of elevated arsenic content. • The building was constructed during a time when hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead-based paint and Canec were commonly used. Although there was no formal building material survey done for this assessment,Canec is present and other hazardous building materials may also be present in the structure.A licensed building inspector should be contracted prior to renovation or demolition of the structure. • Because the property occupies a prominent position near the head of the Waipi`oValley Road, it has a long history of people passing nearby and possibly dumping waste that either would not be needed or could not be transported into the valley. Abandoned vehicles are present on the property, some of which have been engulfed in the vegetation or buried in the yard. These are seen as more of a potential development cost than a threat to public health and the environment. As items such as these are encountered upon clearing various portions of the property, assessment of the environmental implications of these finds should be undertaken. This assessment finds no evidence of environmental conditions that would limit the use, activities, value or utility of the property. This conclusion is subject to the limitations discussed above. 3.2 Socioeconomic and Cultural 3.2.1 Socioeconomic Characteristics The project would most directly affect and benefit the communities of Kukuihaele and Waipi`o Valley,with wider benefit to all users of Waipi`o Valley,visitors and residents alike. Table 2 provides information on the socioeconomic characteristics of the project area(Census Tract 219), along with those of Hawaii County as a whole for comparison, from the United States 2000 census. Figure 3 shows the geographic extent of Census Tract 219,which includes Kukuihaele, Waipi`o Valley,and Honoka`a. Impacts The action would require the expenditure of$900,000 for acquisition of the Rice Property. The project would benefit public health and welfare in the project area by allowing public ownership of the Rice Property for public and community benefit. 10 Environmental Assessment, Hawai`i County Purchase of Rice Property at Waipi`o Lookout