2014-03-20 Leeward Exh A (SPP 14-157)

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PIIANAIA: There may be some trees that we saved in there, kukui and the native plants, but basically, we are not planning a development down there. GIFFIN: So you are not going to touch that area. PIIANAIA: Basically not. But perhaps Lehua or Shorty can explain more or the reasons why. GIFFIN: Okay. Lehua? DIRCKS AH SAM: Yeah, as indicated on the site plan, we are hoping to use the kula plains above the gulch area to focus most of our ethno-botanical activities, because it does make for the best facilitation with the proposed facilities that we are building there. Within the gulch area itself there are some trees that we identified as being there for a pretty long time, and so our intent is to keep this gulch area in as pristine condition as we can, perhaps returning it to where it may have been cultivated, so simple taro patches, but nothing permanent. It’s just all agriculture focusing on maintaining the existing kukui grove that is within the area for cultural purposes. GIFFIN: Okay. So then it’s to the right then where the garden mainly would be. DIRCKS AH SAM: Yeah, the, where the gulch ends here and then comes into what we call, refer to it as the kula area, we are planning on developing our ethno-botanical gardens more in the area. We do want to include the existing kukui grove. There’s a couple of coconut trees of Hawaiian origins on this edge. And so the hope is to use the gulch and the existing resources. We’ll probably be taking out some of the more invasive species that are hindering the natives’ growth down there. But because of this valuable resource in the gulch area, and knowing Kohala’s limited access to those gulch areas, it is our intent to keep the integrity there. GIFFIN: Great, thank you. Shorty, did you want to add anything else? BERTELMANN: Yeah, culturally the gulch is very important, because it’s just part of the system that worked before and we are just a part of it. And so keep it, like what Lehua was saying, keep it pristine and make sure that we make the right choices about how we proceed with plans; evasive or non-pervasive or whatever that is, is pretty much what we do. We had bought into this and other people come and kind of take a look at that area to see what that would be like. But, as of right now, the gulch drops off pretty fast, and the right to the right of that whole clear area up there is pretty, kind of flat land for Kohala, and so it would be more feasible for us to stay more to the right than inside the gulch. But, no, no permanent plans to develop the gulch. GIFFIN: Commissioners, any questions for the applicant? Director. KANUHA: Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. Perhaps somebody could explain for the Commission what the reason is for the request to amend Condition 4 to have a longer time period, a year instead of six months, to do their required work to the existing structures. GIFFIN: Norman? 5 EXHIBIT A