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S Ambient noise is derived from traffic on the State Highway 19 (the Hawaii Belt Road), Wailuku Drive and other nearby roads, and adjacent residences and businesses. The scenic beauty of the Wailuku River area has been celebrated in photographs and paintings since the mid -19th century. These views supply insight into changing landscape around the river. As with many areas of Hawaii, in more traditional times the river did not have a jungly, overgrown appearance. A photograph from about 1900 (Fig. 4) is particularly revealing in this regard (Lyman House Memorial Museum Collection - Neg. PL 56.5.598, Harry A. Wessel Collection). It shows most of the project site from the northwest bank of the river, including a narrow bridge in the approximate location of the current Keawe -Puueo Bridge. It is evident that both banks were only sparsely vegetated, with very few trees. Figures 3a -e provide several modern views of the area. The Hawaii County General Plan contains Goals, Policies and Standards intended to preserve areas of natural beauty and scenic vistas from encroachment. The PIan expressly mentions the views both mauka and makai from the Lower Wailuku Bridge (Keawe -Puueo Bridge). Impacts and Mitigation Measures The project would not affect air quality. Noise levels on the property might increase slightly as a result of its use as a park, but negligibly in relation to the background noise. A general inspection of the site determined that it is not subject to current or projected noise levels that exceed 65 LDN (day -night average sound level, in decibels). Removal of vegetation can involve both adverse and beneficial impacts, depending on the type of vegetation involved, the landscape context, the degree of removal, the scenic elements revealed by the removal, and the perception of the viewer. In general, the County of Hawaii has concluded that removing most of the vegetation that protrudes above the riverbank is necessary in order to restore and improve the scenic characteristics of the area, and that the net impact is-beneficial. The following supports this conclusion: o Vegetation that currently protrudes above the river bank blocks scenic views of the Wailuku River from the park and Wailuku Drive; o Several large trees (the banyan just mauka of the Keawe -Puueo Bridge and various palms) will not be removed and will continue to lend their character to the area (mitigation commitment is discussed in Section 3.2.3, above); o Landscaping with low native plants and selected trees (such as palms) will provide greenery, shade, and scenic interest without blocking scenic views; o Scenic views of the Wailuku River will be restored; o Views across the river from Puueo and the Wailuku River bridges will include a rich scene comprising the river surface, vegetation along the riverbanks, several large trees, project landscaping, Hilo Bay, and a number of scenic, 11