Waipi'o Lookout Draft Environmental Assessment

Home

SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED ACTION, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES The Hawaii County Department of Finance proposes to acquire the Rice Property at the Waipio Valley Lookout for future public and community use.. An existing structure on the property may be rehabilitated for future use or demolished. This Environmental Assessment(EA) concerns only purchase of the property and possible demolition of the structure;the County plans an additional EA once development plans are finalized in order to address specific impacts such as traffic,parking and utilities. The Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission was charged with developing and submitting to the Hawaii County Mayor's Office a prioritized list of lands worthy of purchase by the County and preservation. The commission rated the 1.804-acre Rice Property as the second highest priority for acquisition among all properties considered. Community groups have been active in proposing and seeking funding for programs to protect Waipio Valley. The County of Hawaii considers it prudent to purchase the Rice Property because it(1)is located at the gateway to Waipio Valley; (2) could enhance the existing County Waipio Lookout Facilities by providing safety, cultural, and historic information to visitors and residents; (3)could provide additional parking to the lookout area and improve circulation in the Lookout area; (4)might serve as a future ranger station and center for fixture community programs; and(5)is currently for sale. As few similarly situated and endowed properties are available,failure to acquire the Rice Property would limit the ability of the County to improve public safety and safeguard the resources of Waipio Valley. Because the project involves solely purchase of the Rice Property and no improvements or construction, there would be no construction-phase impacts. 31 Environmental Assessment, Hawai`i County Purchase of Rice Property at Waipi`o Lookout