Waipi'o Lookout Draft Environmental Assessment

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PART 1: PROJECT DESCRIPTION,PURPOSE AND NEED AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS 1.1 Project Description,Location and Purpose and Need The County of Hawaii proposes to acquire a private property in Kukuihaele for future public and community use(Figures 1-2). TMK 4-8-04:06(the"Rice Property")is a 1.804-acre property owned by the Rose C.Rice-Trust. The property has an unoccupied single-family residence and is currently unused for any purpose. It is located near the southern rim of Waipi`o Valley directly across Waipi`o Road from a County park at the Waipi`o Lookout. This Environmental Assessment concerns only purchase of the property and possible demolition of the structure. If the County acquires the property,it will develop with community input a plan for its use, and after development of the plan a subsequent Environmental Assessment will address impacts related to plan implementation,including traffic,parking, utilities and other impacts. The Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission was charged with developing and submitting to the Hawaii County Mayor's Office prioritized list of lands worthy of purchase by the County and for the following purposes: 1. Public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains; 2. Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites; 3. Preservation of natural resources,including buffer zones; 4. Preservation of forests,beaches,coastal areas,natural beauty and agricultural lands; and` 5. Protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply. The commission rated the 1.804-acre Rice Property as the second highest priority for acquisition among all sites considered. Properties submitted for consideration were assessed according to the following criteria: 1. The level of community support,including reported urgency,based on the community input process; 2. Feasibility of acquisition of subject parcels by the Public Access,Open Space, &Natural Resources Preservation Fund and/or other means;and 3. Feasibility of acquisition of subject parcels given context with respect to boundaries,title, maintenance options, and steps towards acquisition. Several private organizations have been advocating for a ranger program and parking/circulation improvements for the Lookout area, and the County of Hawaii has coordinated with the group Friends of the Future on a grant from the Hawaii Tourism Authority for a ranger program. The ranger would refer illegal and or unsafe activities to law enforcement agencies and advise those 1 Environmental Assessment, Hawaii County Purchase of Rice Property at Waipi`o Lookout