Waipi'o Lookout Draft Environmental Assessment

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RC-0442 PRIOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES There have been only a few formal archaeological studies conducted in the vicinity of the current project area. Most of these have occurred within Waipi`o Valley proper (Barrera 1977; Cleghorn and Roger- .Iourdane 1983;Cordy 1988;Hudson 1932;Loo and Bonk 1970;Stokes 1919),and Cordy(1994)contains a summary and synthesis of these prior studies.There were two studies conducted in more mauka portions of Lalakea Ahupua`a that resulting in the discovery of a few sites related to Historic Period ranching and large-scale irrigation (Corbin 2006; Walker et al. 1991); and there was one study, Head and Goodfellow (1993)that was conducted for the Hamakua Sugar Company lands that surround the current project area. Head and Goodfellow (1993)conducted a combination helicopter reconnaissance and limited surface pedestrian survey, and excavated four test units. Forty-four sites containing 124 features were recorded. They identified Precontact habitation and agriculture sites as well as Historic Period plantation related sites. Their 3,770 acre project area bordered the current study parcel and included portions of Lalakea, Kukuihaele, Kanahonua, Waiko`eko`e, Kea`a, and Kalakala`ula ahupua`a. None of the sites that they recorded were located in Lalakea Ahupua`a. CURRENT SURVEY EXPECTATIONS Based on the location and the specific history of the project area, the results of the background research (including oral interviews), and a review of archaeological work previously conducted in the general vicinity,the archaeological expectations for the current study are limited.While it is remotely possible that Precontact sites may have been present within the current project area, the extensive land use throughout the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries has significantly altered the landscape.Modern residential use of the project area with associated movement and construction of residential features appears to date from only as early as the late 1970s. ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELDWORK On October 31, 2006, Christopher S. Hand, B.A. and Robert B. Rechtman, Ph.D_ carried out the archaeological fieldwork for the current project. The entire project area was surveyed on-foot, and the extant residential structures were inspected.The boundaries of the project area were clearly identifiable.No archaeological resources were identified as a result of the fieldwork,and no evidence was observed that the area had been or was currently being accessed for the exercise of traditional and customary practices. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Given the negative findings of the current study,it is concluded that the transfer of ownership of the current study parcel to the County of Hawaii and its potential subsequent development will not impact any known historic properties nor infringe upon any traditional and customary practices. It is therefore recommended that no further historic preservation work is needed. 9