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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0456.000 2002-2004Ilan'v Kim COUNTY OF HAWAII 25 Aupunt Street, Room 215 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) 061-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA 75-5706 Kimkin, Ihghwuu, Suite 1113 . Kmina-Kona- Hawaii 96740 (809) <29-5226 • Fax(808)326-1663 December 30, 2003 Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Dixie Kaetsu 1 /nnn,¢�n,e purrlur Peter L. Hendricks l)rpun Il an ngieg[loran. County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street s Hilo, HI 96720 O n 0 Z, Dear Chairman Arakaki and Members: c- en Change of Zone Application (REZ 03-025) 3 Applicant: Lehua Lani, LLC _ L Request: A -5a to RS -7.15 ro l.. Tax Map Key: 7-5-20:71 and 72 c State Land Use Boundary Amendment Application (SLU 03-010) Request: Agricultural to Urban Change of Zone Application (REZ 03-024) Request: A -la to CV -10 Applicant: Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Tax Map Key: 7-4-8:20 State Land Use Boundary Amendment Application (SLU 03-011) Request: Agricultural to Urban Change of Zone Application (REZ 03-026) Request: A -Sato RS -15 Applicant: Uluwehi Properties, LLC Tax Map Key: 7-5-17:21 Change of Zone Application (REZ 02-016) Applicant: Thomas A. Tuso Request: Agricultural (A -5a) to Family Agricultural (FA -3a) Tax Map Key: 7.5-12:38 As required by Chapter 4, Sec. 6-43(C), Hawaii County Charter, transmitted herewith for the County Council's consideration and action are the Planning Commission's letters and enclosures regarding the above -referenced requests. incerely, A/ Harry Kim (e Mayor B, l is .21 o -} lit Enclosures cc: Planning Department Comm. No. 14s (G Ref. To: PC- Ref. LRef. Dote JAW 9 2001 Harry Kim Mayor December 30, 2003 County of Hawaii PLANNING COMMISSION 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-3043 (808)961-8288 • Fax(808)961-8742 Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council County of Hawai i 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Chairman Arakaki and Members: State Land Use Boundary Amendment Application (SLU 03-010) Request: Agricultural to Urban Change of Zone Application (REZ 03-024) Request: A -la to CV -10 Applicant: Ve�riz.nn Hawaii, Inc. Tax Map Key: 7-4-8:20 The Planning Commission, after a duly held public hearing on December 4, 2003, voted to recommend for your approval the proposed legislative bills to change the State Land Use district from Agricultural to Rural and a change of zone from an Agricultural 1 -acre (A -1a) to a Village Commercial — 10,000 square foot (CV -10) district for approximately 2.821 acres of land. The property is the site of Verizon Hawaii, hic.'s existing telecommunications switching facility situated along the southeast side of Palani Road and immediately makai of the Kailua Fire Station, Kailua-Kona, Keauolu, North Kona, Hawaii. The Commission concurs with the following findings as recommended by the Planning Director: State Land Use Boundary Amendment The approval of the reclassification from the State Land Use Agricultural to the Urban District for approximately 2.821 acres will not be violative of Section 205-2, Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 2 Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes, nor will the reclassification actions be inconsistent with the Hawaii Land Use Commission Rules, the Hawaii State Plan and the County General Plan. The applicant is also requesting a concurrent change of zone from an Agricultural (A-1 a) to Village Commercial (CV -10). The applicant is requesting a State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to Urban and a Change of Zone from Agricultural (A-1 a) to Village Commercial (CV -10) for approximately 2.821 acres of land. As a regulated entity, Verizon is required to sell surplus property that is not being used to provide telecommunication services. By doing so, Verizon will be operating in a more efficient and cost effective manner. In some cases, vacant property is retained; however, extensive study has determined that additional surplus property is not required for current operations at this site. The applicant proposes to subdivide the property into two lots and retain the portion of the property containing the telecommunications switching facility (known as the Central Office), and sell the vacant surplus lot. No proposed development is associated with this request. According to the Hawaii Land Use Commission Rules, one of the standards for considering an area for urban reclassification states that "In determining urban growth for the next ten years, or in amending the boundary, lands contiguous with existing urban areas shall be given more consideration than non-contiguous lands, and particularly when indicated for future urban use on State or County General Plans." The subject property conforms to this standard as it abuts existing Urban designated lands. In addition to the subject property, there are only two other parcels, both adjacent to the site, in the State Land Use Agricultural District. All surrounding properties are designated Urban. The reclassification action would also complement the objectives and policies articulated in the Hawaii State Plan under Section 226.10.5, Information Industry. The request conforms to, among others, the Land Use, Economic and Public Utilities goals and policies of the General Plan. The request also conforms to the General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map which designates the area as High Density Urban. The LUPAG Map component of the General Plan is a representation of the document's goals, policies, standards and courses of action. It is also a graphic depiction of the physical relationship between the various land uses. The LUPAG Map establishes the basic urban and non- urban form for areas within the County. The High Density Urban designation includes commercial, multiple residential and related services (general and office commercial) and multiple residential up to 87 units per acre. The area under consideration is consistent with the urban form established for this area, as surrounding properties are in commercial uses. The urban classification also conforms to the standard that the development is within reasonable proximity to centers of trading and employment and to basic services Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 3 such as schools, police and fire protection, transportation systems and water. The subject property is located near the corner of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Palani Road in Kailua-Kona and thereby conforms with the Land Use Commission Rules which encourages urban developments in close proximity to existing services and facilities. Police services are located less than one mile from the property, and the Kailua Fire Station is located adjacent to the property. All essential utilities are available to the site. Access to the site is via Palani Road, a two-lane County road with a variable right-of-way width. There is a municipal sewer system in the area. According to a memo dated March 11, 2003 from the Department of Public Works Wastewater Division, the property is not connected to the public sewer system. The applicant has stated that there is a septic system on the site. The property has no severe geological or topographical problems which cannot be properly rectified or which would render the land unusable. The U.S. Corps of Engineers Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) designates the property as Zone "X", areas outside the 500 -year flood plain. The property slopes slightly in a westerly direction, and is the site of Verizon's Kona Central Office building. There are no existing drainageways on the site. The property is located approximately 2,800 feet from the coastline. Thus, the reclassification meets with the standard which states that the lands included within the urban district "... shall be those with satisfactory topography and drainage and reasonably free from the danger of floods, tsunami and unstable soil conditions and other adverse environmental effects." Urban Districts shall include lands characterized by "city -like" concentrations of people, structures, streets, urban level of services and other related land uses. Properties in the surrounding area are zoned General Commercial (CG -10, CG -20) and include the Makalapua Center (Macy's and K -Mart) to the north and Safeway and Wa1Mart to the east and south. The Kona Coast Shopping Center, which includes Ross's and other commercial retailers, is located makai of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway to the southwest, and zoned Village Commercial (CV -10). Thus, a number of commercial uses are already established in the area. As urban uses already exist in the immediate area, the urbanization of the subject property will not contribute towards scattered urban development. While the subject property is within the State Land Use Agricultural and County's Agricultural (A -1a) zoned districts, it is not currently being used for active agricultural purposes. The subject property, site of Verizon's Kona Central Office, is surrounded by lands in the State Land Use Urban district. The property is unclassified by the State of Hawaii ALISH Map. The Land Use Study Bureau's Overall Master Productivity Rating Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 4 for the soils in the area is "E" or "Very Poor". Thus, the soil conditions within the site would preclude intensive agricultural activities from being conducted on the property. Therefore, the reclassification of this 2.821 -acre area from the Agricultural to the Urban designation will not be detrimental to the reduction of this area from the agricultural land inventory in the County of Hawaii. Furthermore, an Urban classification would conform with the standard which states that lands within the urban district "...shall be those with satisfactory topography and drainage and reasonably free from the danger of floods, tsunami and unstable soil conditions and other adverse environmental effects." Regarding traditional and customary Hawaiian rights: Investigation of valued resources: The applicant has submitted the following from which the Planning Commission can determine the valued cultural, historical and natural resources within the subject property: A 'Botanical Survey Verizon Hawaii Inc., Subdivision Project Kailua-Kona, North Kona District, Hawaii" by Char and Associates in May 2003. • A "Survey of Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian Species on the Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Lot TMK: (3)7-4-080:20 at Keahuolu, North Kona District, Hawaii" by Reginald E. David in April 2003. • An "Archaeological Inventory Survey in Support of the Proposed Verizon Office Subdivision Project, Keahuolu Ahupuaa, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii" by Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc., in April 2003. The valuable cultural, historical, and natural resources found in the rezoning area: The archaeological survey described above identified one new site (Site 50-10-28-23, 798) with three features: Feature A - located in the northwest corner of the project area, consists of a faced platform and adjoining terrace constructed of large pahoehoe boulders. The feature is in good to poor condition and was probably used as a foundation for a temporary habitation structure in the pre -contact or early historic period. Feature B - a modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular outline of this feature and the uneven surface of the outcrop suggests that this feature was not used for habitation. The morphology of this feature is similar to other agricultural features in the area. This feature was possibly used as a temporary work area to make or maintain volcanic glass tools. Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 5 • Feature C - modified pahoehoe outcrop. This feature is a roughly oval, modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular shape of this feature and the uneven surface suggests that this feature was not used for habitation, but more likely as a planting area for dryland crops. The general area may also have been occasionally used as a workshop area to make or maintain tools. Besides the three features, no additional sites or features were observed during the inventory survey, and the survey recommends no further data collection for this site. This site is considered significant as it has yielded or is likely to yield information important for research on prehistory or history under Criterion D of "Rules Governing Procedures for Historic Preservation Review." The three features have been adequately recorded and tested, thus no further archaeological work is recommended for the site at this time. The survey recommends that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A due to the slight possibility that it contains a burial in the unexcavated portion. While the likelihood of encountering human remains or other significant cultural deposits is extremely low, in the unlikely event that deposits are encountered, all subsurface work should immediately cease, and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation should be promptly notified. The survey of avian and terrestrial mammalian species revealed three mammalian species, all alien to the Hawaiian Islands - the skeletal remains of a dog, cat and mongoose. No Hawaiian hoary bats were detected within, or close to the site. No mammalian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs were detected during this survey. A total of twelve avian species representing eight separate families were recorded during the study. Avian species detected on the site include pigeons and doves, silvereyes, starlings, emberizids, saltators and allies, carduline finches and allies, old world sparrows and waxbills and allies, all alien species introduced to Hawaii. No avian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs was detected during the survey. The survey concluded that the habitat present on the study site has nothing to offer native avian or mammalian species. No native species were detected on the site, and it is unlikely that there is usage of the site by listed species - with the possible exception of occasional foraging above the site by Hawaiian hoary bats, "thus, there is nothing in the findings that would suggest that changing the zoning, or land use designation of a portion of TMK: (3)7-4-08: 20 will result in deleterious impacts to any listed mammalian or avian species known from the island of Hawaii." The botanical survey inventoried 27 species on the site. According to the survey, the vegetation on the property consists of koa haole shrubs, kiawe trees, lantana, hairy Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 6 abutilon, indigo, African tulip, autograph tree, and lomona. Ground cover is denser along the lower section of the undeveloped portion. This area was bulldozed in the past and the pahoehoe substrate broken into smaller pieces. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the ground cover is composed of guinea grass and famellower, and other grasses and shrubs include natal redtop grass, swollen fingergrass, garden spurge, false mallow, fuzzy rattlepod, 'uhaloa, barleria, and partidge pea and fountain grass. Only the'uhaloa is considered a native species. A few vines of ivy gourd, wild bittermelon and field bindweed is also present on the site. According to the survey, the vegetation has been disturbed in the past by bulldozing and wildfires. Thus, there is very little species of botanical interest or concern on the site. None of the plants found during the field studies is a threatened and endangered species or a species of concern. Char and Associates concluded that the proposed project is not expected to have a significant negative impact on botanical resources. Possible adverse effect or impairment of valued resources: According to the surveys submitted by the applicant, there does not appear to be any valued resources on the property. Native plants could be destroyed by construction and ground alteration. However, these plants are found in other similar habitats in the general area. The survey did not identify any threatened or endangered species on the site. The archaeological survey recommended that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A due to the slight possibility that it contains a burial in the unexcavated portion of the feature. If this recommendation is not followed, there may be a possibility that a burial may be destroyed. Feasible actions to protect native Hawaiian rights: The property is not proximate to the shoreline; therefore, gathering of marine life and coastal access is not an issue. It is not known whether the subject property or immediate surrounding area was previously used for the gathering of plants by native Hawaiians. No valued cultural, historical or natural resources exist on the property and there is no evidence of any traditional customary Native Hawaiian rights being practiced on the site. Thus, to the extent to which traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights are exercised, the proposed action will not affect traditional Hawaiian rights, and no action is necessary to protect those rights. In the highly unlikely event that legitimate gathering claims are made by native Hawaiians, the applicant should respect and honor such claims and provide the needed access within the site. Based on the above, the approval of the State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to the Urban District complements the State Land Use District Regulations and is supportive of the State of Hawaii Plan and the General Plan. Therefore, the Planning Director recommends a favorable consideration of the State Land Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 7 Use Boundary Amendment. The accompanying draft bill to amend the State Land Use Boundaries Map H-7 for the County of Hawaii is included for your review and approval. Change of Zone The applicant is requesting a Change of Zone from Agricultural (A-1 a) to Village Commercial (CV -10) for approximately 2.821 acres of land. The applicant intends to subdivide the property into two lots. The applicant is also requesting a concurrent State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to Urban. In order to consider an area for any type of zoning designation, the applicable goals, policies and standards of the General Plan must be adequately addressed. It is only through such a comprehensive policy analysis approach that evaluations and decisions can be made to better time and stage developments to achieve growth determined by the General Plan and related planning documents. The implications of these evaluations and decisions must be also considered as they may have an impact on similar areas in the County. The proposed request from Agricultural (A -1a) to Village Commercial (CV -10) conforms to the goals, policies and standards of Land Use (Commercial), Economic and Public Utilities elements of the General Plan. The change of zone request would complement the Kona Regional Plan, which designates this area for General Commercial uses, as well as the goals and policies of the Commercial element of the General Plan which states that commercial areas shall be allocated to best meet the existing and future demands of neighborhood, community and regional needs and would maximize convenience to users. The General Plan further states that for this area in Kona, the centralization of commercial activities shall be encouraged in existing commercial centers. The surrounding area includes a number of major retailers, along with the Kailua Fire Station located immediately mauka of the property. Lands to the north are zoned General Commercial (CG -10), site of the Makalapua Center (Macy's, K -Mart), and lands to the east and south are zoned General Commercial (CG -20), site of Safeway and WalMart mauka of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway, and Lanihau Center makai of the highway. Lands to the southwest are zoned Village Commercial (CV -10), site of the Kona Coast Shopping Center, which includes Ross's and other commercial retailers. The Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map component of the General Plan is a representation of the document's goals and policies to guide the coordinated growth and development of the County. It reflects a graphic depiction of the physical relationship among the various land uses. The LUPAG map designates the subject property and surrounding area as High Density Urban. Although the requested Village - Commercial (CV -7.5) zoned district does not conform to the LUPAG Map, the Kona Coast Shopping Center, which includes Ross's, is located southwest of the site, and Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 8 designated High Density Urban and zoned CV -10. High Density Urban includes such designation as commercial, multiple residential and related services (general and office commercial) and multiple residential up to 87 units per acre. The area under consideration is consistent with the urban form established for this area, as surrounding properties are in commercial uses. Therefore, the urbanization of this property will not contribute towards scattered urban development. The requested commercial zoning would be ideally located in close proximity to existing commercial activities in the general area and complement the existing commercial uses in the area. The Kona Regional Plan Land Use Concept Map suggests General Commercial uses for the area. Because of demands for additional commercial lands, this area has since been determined to be a suitable location for commercial uses. This request will be an extension of the existing commercial -zoned lands within this section of Kailua-Kona. Therefore, it is determined that the request is consistent with current land use policy and other land use planning documents for this area of North Kona. The property is located within an area adequately served with essential services and facilities. Access to the subject property is from Palani Road, a two-lane County roadway with a variable right-of-way width. According to a November 7, 2002 letter from the Planning Department to the applicant, only one access point will be allowed. The proposed two -lot subdivision would require a minimum 16 -foot wide right-of-way with a 12 -foot wide pavement. The Department of Public Works provided the following comments: • no left turns in to the property. • access to Palani Road, including the provision of sight distances, shall meet with the approval of the Department of Public Works. All sight distances shall conform to the Hawaii Statewide Uniform Design Manual or AASHTO guidelines. • If a variance is considered for the access width, a minimum 24 -foot wide pavement within a 40 -foot right-of-way or easement, to include curb and sidewalk on one side, should be adequate. • should future improvements to Palani Road provide for a barrier median, left turns out of the parcel may be prohibited. • vehicular access to the individual lots shall not be from any major collector or arterial roadways. 0 remove any encroachments or obstructions within the Palani Road right-of-way. Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 9 • improve Palani Road to an 80 -foot right-of-way, per the County General Plan. • provide full improvements to the entire frontage along Palani Road consisting of, but not limited to, pavement widening with concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk, drainage improvements, and any relocation of utilities, meeting with the approval of the Department of Public Works. • install street lights, signs and markings, meeting with the approval of the Department of Public Works. • construct all improvements at no cost to the County of Hawaii. With these recommended improvements, the request would complement a policy of the General Plan in which "Commercial facilities shall be developed in areas adequately served by necessary services, such as water, utilities, sewers, and transportation systems....." As a condition of approval, the applicant will be required to provide roadway improvements as recommended by the Department of Public Works. The Kona Traffic Safety Committee (KTSC) has stated that "the proposed land use designation and CV -10 zoning are generally appropriate for the property." However, along with the Department of Public Works, the KTSC has also expressed traffic concerns. County Water is available to the site. Although the Department of Environmental Management provided no comments in response to the Planning Department's request for comments, in a letter dated March 17, 2003 to the applicant (included as part of the application), the Department of Environmental Management requires that the applicant submit a Solid Waste Management Plan. There is a municipal sewer system in the area. According to a memo dated March 11, 2003 from the Department of Public Works Wastewater Division, the property is not connected to the public sewer system. The applicant has stated that there is a septic system on the site Police services are available less than one mile from the subject property. Fire and emergency services are available from the Kailua Fire Station on the adjacent property. Electricity and telephone services are available to the site. The subject request is not contrary to Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to Coastal Zone Management. The property is not located in the Special Management Area, and is located approximately 2,800 feet from the nearest coastline. There are no identified recreational resources, historic resources, public access to the shoreline or mountain areas, scenic and open space preserves, coastal ecosystems, marine resources or other natural and environmental resources in the area. Thus, the proposed Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 10 request and use of the property will not adversely impact those resources. The Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) indicate that the area is located in Zone "X," areas determined to be outside of the 500 -year flood plain. There are no significant drainage ways that adversely affects the project site. While there are no indications of surface water flow on-site, the applicant will be required to abide by all applicable County guidelines for run-off generated by the development. The Department of Public Works requires the preparation of a drainage study and the construction of a recommended drainage system, meeting with the approval of the Department of Public Works. A "Botanical Survey Verizon Hawaii Inc., Subdivision Project Kailua-Kona, North Kona District, Hawaii" was conducted by Char and Associates in May 2003. A total of 27 species were inventoried on the property. According to the survey, the vegetation on the property consists of koa haole shrubs, kiawe trees, lantana, hairy abutilon, indigo, African tulip, autograph tree, and lomona. Ground cover is denser along the lower section of the undeveloped portion. This area was bulldozed in the past and the pahoehoe substrate broken into smaller pieces. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the ground cover is composed of guinea grass and fameflower, and other grasses and shrubs include natal redtop grass, swollen fingergrass, garden spurge, false mallow, fuzzy rattlepod, 'uhaloa, barleria, and partidge pea and fountain grass. Only the 'uhaloa is considered a native species. A few vines of ivy gourd, wild bittermelon and field bindweed is also present on the site. According to the survey, the vegetation has been disturbed in the past by bulldozing and wildfires. Thus, there is very little species of botanical interest or concern on the site. None of the plants found during the field studies is a threatened and endangered species or a species of concern. Char and Associates concluded that the proposed project is not expected to have a significant negative impact on botanical resources. A "Survey of Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian Species on the Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Lot TMK: (3)7-4-080:20 at Keahuolu, North Kona District, Hawaii" was prepared by Reginald E. David in April 2003. Three mammalian species, all alien to the Hawaiian Islands, were detected during the course of this survey — the skeletal remains of an indian mongoose, cat and dog. No Hawaiian hoary bats were detected within, or close to the site. No mammalian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs were detected during this survey. A total of twelve avian species representing eight separate families were recorded during the study. Avian species detected on the site include pigeons and doves, silvereyes, starlings, emberizids, saltators and allies, carduline finches and allies, old world sparrows and waxbills and allies, all alien species introduced to Hawaii. No avian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs was detected during the survey. The survey concluded that the habitat present on the study site has nothing to offer native avian or mammalian species. No native species were Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 11 detected on the site, and it is unlikely that there is usage of the site by listed species - with the possible exception of occasional foraging above the site by Hawaiian hoary bats, "thus, there is nothing in the findings that would suggest that changing the zoning, or land use designation of a portion of TMK: (3)7-4-08: 20 will result in deleterious impacts to any listed mammalian or avian species known from the island of Hawaii." An "Archaeological Inventory Survey in Support of the Proposed Verizon Office Subdivision Project, Keahuolu Ahupuaa, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii" was conducted by Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc., in April 2003. Two archaeologists under the direction of Hallett H. Hammatt, Ph.D., carried out the survey on March 26 and 27, 2003. According to the survey, there were eight previous archaeological surveys conducted in the Keahuolu ahupuaa in the past. During the course of this survey, one new site (Site 50-10-28-23, 798) with three features was identified: Feature A - located in the northwest corner of the project area, consists of a faced platform and adjoining terrace constructed of large pahoehoe boulders. The feature is in good to poor condition and was probably used as a foundation for a temporary habitation structure in the pre -contact or early historic period. Feature B - a modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular outline of this feature and the uneven surface of the outcrop suggests that this feature was not used for habitation. The morphology of this feature is similar to other agricultural features in the area. This feature was possibly used as a temporary work area to make or maintain volcanic glass tools. Feature C - modified pahoehoe outcrop. This feature is a roughly oval, modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular shape of this feature and the uneven surface suggests that this feature was not used for habitation, but more likely as a planting area for dryland crops. The general area may also have been occasionally used as a workshop area to make or maintain tools. Besides the three features, no additional sites or features were observed during the inventory survey, and the survey recommends no further data collection for this site. This site is considered significant as it has yielded or is likely to yield information important for research on prehistory or history under Criterion D of "Rules Governing Procedures for Historic Preservation Review." The three features have been adequately recorded and tested, thus no further archaeological work is recommended for the site at this time. The survey recommends that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A due to the slight possibility that it contains a burial in the unexcavated portion. While the likelihood of encountering human remains or other significant cultural deposits is extremely low, in the unlikely event that deposits are Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 12 encountered, all subsurface work should immediately cease, and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation should be promptly notified. The subject site is not proximate to the shoreline. As such, gathering of marine life and coastal access is not an issue. There is no record of a designated public access to the shoreline or mountain areas that traverses the property. Regarding traditional and customary Hawaiian rights: Investigation of valued resources: The applicant has submitted the following from which the Planning Commission can determine the valued cultural, historical and natural resources within the subject property: A "Botanical Survey Verizon Hawaii Inc., Subdivision Project Kailua- Kona, North Kona District, Hawaii" by Char and Associates in May 2003. A "Survey of Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian Species on the Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Lot TMK: (3)7-4-080:20 at Keahuolu, North Kona District, Hawaii" by Reginald E. David in April 2003. An "Archaeological Inventory Survey in Support of the Proposed Verizon Office Subdivision Project, Keahuolu Ahupuaa, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii" by Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc., in April 2003. The valuable cultural, historical, and natural resources found in the rezoning area: Given the property's urban setting and the existing structure on the site, the presence of any known rare, threatened, or endangered species or endangered floral and fauna species is remote. Likewise, the existence of archaeological sites within the subject property is also unlikely. However, the applicant has submitted the surveys identified above to ensure that concerns regarding potential important archaeological sites, botanical and mammalian species are properly addressed. The archaeological survey described above identified one new site (Site 50-10-28- 23, 798) with three features: Feature A - located in the northwest corner of the project area, consists of a faced platform and adjoining terrace constructed of large pahoehoe boulders. The feature is in good to poor condition and was probably used as a foundation for a temporary habitation structure in the pre -contact or early historic period. Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 13 • Feature B - a modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular outline of this feature and the uneven surface of the outcrop suggests that this feature was not used for habitation. The morphology of this feature is similar to other agricultural features in the area. This feature was possibly used as a temporary work area to make or maintain volcanic glass tools. • Feature C - modified pahoehoe outcrop. This feature is a roughly oval, modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular shape of this feature and the uneven surface suggests that this feature was not used for habitation, but more likely as a planting area for dryland crops. The general area may also have been occasionally used as a workshop area to make or maintain tools. Besides the three features, no additional sites or features were observed during the inventory survey, and the survey recommends no further data collection for this site. This site is considered significant as it has yielded or is likely to yield information important for research on prehistory or history under Criterion D of "Rules Governing Procedures for Historic Preservation Review." The three features have been adequately recorded and tested, thus no further archaeological work is recommended for the site at this time. The survey recommends that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A due to the slight possibility that it contains a burial in the unexcavated portion. While the likelihood of encountering human remains or other significant cultural deposits is extremely low, in the unlikely event that deposits are encountered, all subsurface work should immediately cease, and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation should be promptly notified. The survey of avian and terrestrial mammalian species revealed three mammalian species, all alien to the Hawaiian Islands - the skeletal remains of a dog, cat and mongoose. No Hawaiian hoary bats were detected within, or close to the site. No mammalian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs were detected during this survey. A total of twelve avian species representing eight separate families were recorded during the study. Avian species detected on the site include pigeons and doves, silvereyes, starlings, emberizids, saltators and allies, carduline finches and allies, old world sparrows and waxbills and allies, all alien species introduced to Hawaii. No avian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs was detected during the survey. The survey concluded that the habitat present on the study site has nothing to offer native avian or mammalian species. No native species were detected on the site, and it is unlikely that there is usage of the site by listed species - with the possible exception of occasional foraging above the site by Hawaiian hoary bats, "thus, there is nothing in the findings that would suggest that changing the zoning, or land use Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 14 designation of a portion of TMK: (3)7-4-08: 20 will result in deleterious impacts to any listed mammalian or avian species known from the island of Hawaii." The botanical survey inventoried 27 species on the site. According to the survey, the vegetation on the property consists of koa haole shrubs, kiawe trees, lantana, hairy abutilon, indigo, African tulip, autograph tree, and lomona. Ground cover is denser along the lower section of the undeveloped portion. This area was bulldozed in the past and the pahoehoe substrate broken into smaller pieces. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the ground cover is composed of guinea grass and famellower, and other grasses and shrubs include natal redtop grass, swollen fingergrass, garden spurge, false mallow, fuzzy rattlepod, 'uhaloa, barleria, and partidge pea and fountain grass. Only the 'uhaloa is considered a native species. A few vines of ivy gourd, wild bittermelon and field bindweed is also present on the site. According to the survey, the vegetation has been disturbed in the past by bulldozing and wildfires. Thus, there is very little species of botanical interest or concern on the site. None of the plants found during the field studies is a threatened and endangered species or a species of concern. Char and Associates concluded that the proposed project is not expected to have a significant negative impact on botanical resources. Possible adverse effect or impairment of valued resources: According to the surveys submitted by the applicant, there does not appear to be any valued resources on the property. Native plants could be destroyed by construction and ground alteration. However, these plants are found in other similar habitats in the general area. The survey did not identify any threatened or endangered species on the site. The archaeological survey recommended that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A due to the slight possibility that it contains a burial in the unexcavated portion of the feature. If this recommendation is not followed, there may be a possibility that a burial may be destroyed. Feasible actions to protect native Hawaiian rights: The property is not proximate to the shoreline; therefore, gathering of marine life and coastal access is not an issue. It is not known whether the subject property or immediate surrounding area was previously used for the gathering of plants by native Hawaiians. No valued cultural, historical or natural resources exist on the property and there is no evidence of any traditional customary Native Hawaiian rights being practiced on the site. Thus, to the extent to which traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights are exercised, the proposed action will not affect traditional Hawaiian rights, and no action is necessary to protect those rights. In the highly unlikely event that legitimate gathering claims are made by native Hawaiians, the applicant should respect and honor such claims and provide the needed access within the site. Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 15 Based on the above findings, this request to reclassify the subject property from an Agricultural (A -1a) to a Village Commercial (CV -10) zoned district would result in an appropriate land use pattern and further benefit the general public. For your favorable consideration, an amendment to the SLU Boundaries Map H-7 for the County of Hawaii and Section 25-8-3 (North Kona Zone Map), Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) are transmitted. We are enclosing a copy of the staff background and Planning Department's Recommendation for your information. Sincerely, Fred Galdones, Chairman Planning Commission Lverizon02PC Enclosures cc: Ms. Sandra Padaken Department of Water Supply Department of Public Works Rodney Haraga/DOT-Highways, Honolulu State Land Use Commission Planning Department - Kona B VerimnSLUREZ.dm- I 1/18/03 COUNTY OF HAWAII PLANNING DEPARTMENT BACKGROUND REPORT VERIZON HAWAII, INC. STATE LAND USE BOUNDARY AMENDMENT APPLICATION (SLU 03-010) CHANGE OF ZONE APPLICATION (REZ 03-024) VERIZON HAWAII, INC. has submitted applications for a State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to Urban and a Change of Zone from Agricultural (A-1 a) to Village Commercial (CV -10) for approximately 2.821 acres of land. The property is the site of Verizon Hawaii, Inc.'s existing telecommunications switching facility located along the southeast side of Palani Road and immediately makai of the Kailua Fire Station, Kailua-Kona, Keahuolu, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-4-8: 20. APPLICANT'S REOUEST 1. Request: The applicant is requesting a State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to Urban and a Change of Zone from Agricultural (A -1a) to Village Commercial (CV -10) for approximately 2.821 acres of land. As a regulated entity, Verizon is required to sell surplus property that is not being used to provide telecommunication services. By doing so, Verizon will be operating in a more efficient and cost effective manner. In some cases, vacant property is retained; however, extensive study has determined that additional surplus property is not required for current operations at this site. The applicant proposes to subdivide the property into two lots and retain the portion of the property containing the telecommunications switching facility (known as the Central Office), and sell the vacant surplus lot. No proposed development is associated with this request. Verizon Hawaii, Inc. is the landowner. (See Exhibit A - State Land Use Boundary Amendment and Change of Zone Applications) STATE AND COUNTY PLANS 2. State Land Use Designation: Agricultural. 3. GP LUPAG Map: High Density Urban. 4. County Zoning: Agricultural (A -la). 5. Kona Regional Plan: General Commercial. 6. Kailua Village Design Commission: Although the property is located in the Kailua C- 45( (61 111 + AI PC Village Special District, the review of this request is not necessary as no development is associated with this application. 7. Coastal Zone Management, HRS, Chapter 205A: The entire State of Hawaii lies within the Coastal Zone Management Area. The intent of the Coastal Zone Management Program is to guide and regulate public and private uses in the coastal zone management area with respect to recreational resources, historic resources, public access to the shoreline, scenic and open space resources, coastal ecosystems, marine resources, economic uses, coastal hazards, managing development, public participation, and beach protection. 8. Special Management Area (SMA): The Special Management Area is a part of the Coastal Zone Management Program and regulated by the County. The property is not situated within the Special Management Area, and is located approximately 2,800 feet from the nearest coastline and therefore, will not be impacted by coastal hazard and beach erosion. There are no identified recreational resources, historic resources, public access to the shoreline or mountain areas, scenic and open space preserves, coastal ecosystems, marine resources or other natural and environmental resources in the area. DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT PROPERTY AND SURROUNDING AREA 9. Subject Property: The property is an approximately 2.821 -acre site located near the intersection of Palani Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway. The front portion of the property is improved with a one-story building used as Verizon's Kona Central Office building and the rear portion is undeveloped. The property slopes slightly from east to west, approximately 6-20% slopes. 10. Surrounding Zoning/Land Uses: The Kailua Fire Station is located immediately mauka of the property. Lands to the north are zoned General Commercial (CG -10), site of the Makalapua Center (Macy's, K -Mart), and lands to the east and south are zoned General Commercial (CG -20), site of Safeway and WalMart mauka of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway, and Lanihau Center makai of the highway. Lands to the southwest are zoned Village Commercial (CV -10), site of the Kona Coast Shopping Center, which includes Ross's and other commercial retailers. 11. ALISH: Unclassified. 12. Land Study Bureau's Detailed Land Classification System: `B" or "Very Poor". -2- 13. U.S.D.A. Soil Survey: rPYD, Punaluu extremely rocky peat, 6 to 20 percent slopes. This soil is low on the leeward side of Mauna Loa. The pahoehoe lava is very slowly permeable, although water moves rapidly through the cracks. Runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is slight. This soil is used for pasture. 14. FIRM: Zone "X", area determined to be outside the 500 -year flood plain. 15. Flora/Fauna Resources: A "Botanical Survey Verizon Hawaii Inc., Subdivision Project Kailua-Kona, North Kona District, Hawaii" was conducted by Char and Associates in May 2003. A total of 27 species were inventoried on the property. According to the survey, the vegetation on the property consists of koa haole shrubs, kiawe trees, lantana, hairy abutilon, indigo, African tulip, autograph tree, and lomona. Ground cover is denser along the lower section of the undeveloped portion. This area was bulldozed in the past and the pahoehoe substrate broken into smaller pieces. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the ground cover is composed of guinea grass and fameflower, and other grasses and shrubs include natal redtop grass, swollen fingergrass, garden spurge, false mallow, fuzzy rattlepod, 'uhaloa, barleria, and partidge pea and fountain grass. Only the 'uhaloa is considered a native species. A few vines of ivy gourd, wild bittermelon and field bindweed is also present on the site. According to the survey, the vegetation has been disturbed in the past by bulldozing and wildfires. Thus, there is very little species of botanical interest or concern on the site. None of the plants found during the field studies is a threatened and endangered species or a species of concern. Char and Associates concluded that the proposed project is not expected to have a significant negative impact on botanical resources. 16. Avian Resources: A "Survey of Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian Species on the Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Lot TMK: (3)7-4-080:20 at Keahuolu, North Kona District, Hawaii" was prepared by Reginald E. David in April 2003. Three mammalian species, all alien to the Hawaiian Islands, were detected during the course of this survey — the skeletal remains of an indian mongoose, cat and dog. No Hawaiian hoary bats were detected within, or close to the site. No mammalian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs were detected during this survey. A total of twelve avian species representing eight separate families were recorded during the study. Avian -3- species detected on the site include pigeons and doves, silvereyes, starlings, emberizids, saltators and allies, carduline finches and allies, old world sparrows and waxbills and allies, all alien species introduced to Hawaii. No avian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs was detected during the survey. The survey concluded that the habitat present on the study site has nothing to offer native avian or mammalian species. No native species were detected on the site, and it is unlikely that there is usage of the site by listed species - with the possible exception of occasional foraging above the site by Hawaiian hoary bats, "thus, there is nothing in the findings that would suggest that changing the zoning, or land use designation of a portion of TMK: (3)7-4-08: 20 will result in deleterious impacts to any listed mammalian or avian species known from the island of Hawaii." 17. Archaeological Resources: An "Archaeological Inventory Survey in Support of the Proposed Verizon Office Subdivision Project, Keahuolu Ahupuaa, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii" was conducted by Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc., in April 2003. Two archaeologists under the direction of Hallett H. Hammatt, Ph.D., carred out the survey on March 26 and 27, 2003. According to the survey, there were eight previous archaeological surveys conducted in the Keahuolu ahupuaa in the past. During the course of this survey, one new site (Site 50-10-28-23, 798) with three features was identified: • Feature A - located in the northwest corner of the project area, consists of a faced platform and adjoining terrace constructed of large pahoehoe boulders. The feature is in good to poor condition and was probably used as a foundation for a temporary habitation structure in the pre -contact or early historic period. • Feature B - a modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular outline of this feature and the uneven surface of the outcrop suggests that this feature was not used for habitation. The morphology of this feature is similar to other agricultural features in the area. This feature was possibly used as a temporary work area to make or maintain volcanic glass tools. • Feature C - modified pahoehoe outcrop. This feature is a roughly oval, modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular shape of this feature and the uneven surface suggests that this feature was not used for habitation, but more likely as a planting 4- area for dryland crops. The general area may also have been occasionally used as a workshop area to make or maintain tools. Besides the three features, no additional sites or features were observed during the inventory survey, and the survey recommends no further data collection for this site. This site is considered significant as it has yielded or is likely to yield information important for research on prehistory or history under Criterion D of "Rules Governing Procedures for Historic Preservation Review." The three features have been adequately recorded and tested, thus no further archaeological work is recommended for the site at this time. The survey recommends that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A due to the slight possibility that it contains a burial in the unexcavated portion. While the likelihood of encountering human remains or other significant cultural deposits is extremely low, in the unlikely event that deposits are encountered, all subsurface work should immediately cease, and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation should be promptly notified. 18. Cultural or Native Gathering Rights: The subject site is not proximate to the shoreline. As such, gathering of marine life and coastal access is not an issue. 19. Public Access: There is no record of a designated public access to the shoreline or mountain areas that traverses the property. PUBLIC UTILITIES AND SERVICES 20. Access: Access to the site is via Palani Road, a two-lane County road with a variable right-of-way width. According to a November 7, 2002 letter from the Planning Department to the applicant, only one access point will be allowed. The proposed two -lot subdivision would require a minimum 16 -foot wide right-of-way with a 12 -foot wide pavement. 21. Water: County water is available to the site. 22. Wastewater System: There is a municipal sewer system in the area. According to a memo dated March 11, 2003 from the Department of Public Works Wastewater Division, the property is not connected to the public sewer system. The applicant has stated that there is a septic system on the site. 23. Solid Waste: The applicant will be required to submit a Solid Waste Management plan -5- to the Department of Environmental Management. 24, Essential Utilities and Services: Utilities are available to the site. The Kailua Fire Station is adjacent to the property, and the nearest police station is located less than one mile from the site. AGENCIES' COMMENTS 25. Department of Public Works: (See Exhibit B - October 20, 2003 Memo) 26. Kona Traffic Safety Committee: (See Exhibit C - November 3, 2003 Memo) AGENCIES - NO COMMENTS 27. Fire Department, Real Property Tax Office, Department of Environmental Management, Department of Land and Natural Resources Land Division AGENCIES - NO RESPONSES 28. Department of Water Supply, Police Department, Kailua Village Design Commission, Department of Land and Natural Resources Land Division and State Historic Preservation Division, Department of Health, Department of Transportation PUBLIC COMMENTS 29. The Planning Department has not received any written comments or objections from the general public or adjacent landowners on the subject applications. STATE LAND USE BOUNDARY AMENDMENT APPLICATION (15 ACRES OR LESS) -7 COUNTY OF HAWAII PLANNING DEPARTMENT t . (Type or legibly print the requested information) PETITIONER: Verizon Hawaii, Inc., A Hawaii Corporation; ATTN: Jim Tousignant PETITIONER'S SIGNATURE:_ r� � ir-�— DATE: 411ZIC 3 ADDRESS: 112 Lakeview Canyon Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 PETITIONER'S INTEREST IF NOT OWNER: N/A TELEPHONE: (Bus.) 805.372.6882 LANDOWNER(S): Same as "Petitioner" (Res.) (Fax) 805.379.1454 75 LANDOWNER SIGNATURE(S): )_ DATE: 6//74-i e y letter) ADDRESS: Same as "Petitioner" TAX MAP KEY: (3) 7-4-08:020 STREET ADDRESS OF PROPERTY: SWC Palani Road and Highway 11. Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 ZONING: Agricultural (A-Ia) SIZE OF PROPERTY: +/- 122.880 square feet (+/- 2.821 acres) CURRENT STATE LAND USE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION: Agriculture REQUESTED STATE LAND USE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION: Urban AGENT: Padaken Realty; ATTN: Sandra Padaken TELEPHONE: (Bus.) 808.9812371 (Res.) (Fax) 808.981.2371 Please indicate to whom original correspondence and copies should be sent. ORIGINAL: Sandra Padaken (Agent) COPIES: Jim Tousignant (Petitioner/Landowner) (See Instructions on Reverse Side) EXHIBIT A State Land Use Boundary Amendment Application Project Site: at Keahuolu, North Kona, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii Tax Map Key: (3) 7-4-08:020 Owner: Verizon Hawaii Inc., a Hawaii Corporation (Verizon) Attn: Jim Tousignant 112 Lakeview Canyon Road CA501 CW Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805.372.6882 (tel) Applicant: Same as Owner Applicant's Agent/Representative: Padaken Realty Attn: Sandra Padaken 155 Anela Street Hilo. HI 96720 808.981.2371 (tel) Surveyor: Towill Shigeoka & Associates, Inc. Attn: Robert Lee 1270 Queen Emma Street Suite 700 Honolulu, HI 96813 808.538.3857 (tel) Application Scope: State Land Use Boundary Amendment Application Subject Request: Project Description: This application is being submitted in order to: 1. Create consistency between the State Land Use designation and the proposed zoning of the site, with the existing State Land Use designation and zoning of the surrounding properties. The existing State Land Use designation is Agricultural and the existing zoning is Agricultural (A-1 a). The subject application proposes to have the State Land Use designation amended to Urban. At this time, a zone change application is being submitted to the County of Hawaii with the request to modify the zoning designation to Village Commercial (CV -10). The majority of existing State Land Use designations of abutting Verizon — Kona 06.17.03 Page 2 properties is Urban; only two others in the vicinity have an Agricultural State Land Use designation. Zoning Designations for the majority of the abutting properties consist of Village Commercial and General Commercial, with varying lot size requirements. 2. Establish sound land use designations that will be in place and will be conducive with the eventual subdivision of this +/- 122, 880 square foot (+/- 2.821 acre) property into two (2) legal lots. As a regulated entity, Verizon is required to sell surplus property that is not being used for the purpose of rendering telecommunication services. By doing so, to the benefit of the ratepayer, Verizon will be operating in a more efficient and cost effective manner (by eliminating the carrying costs of the surplus land). In some cases, vacant property is retained at this type of site, to accommodate future growth. However, at the subject location, after extensive study, it has been determined that additional surplus property is not required for current operations, nor is it necessary to be retained for future expansion. There is no proposed development associated with this request. Upon completion of the proposed Zone Change and State Land Use Designation change (and the forthcoming subdivision application), Verizon will sell the surplus portion of the property, and retain/operate the balance of the property (which contains a telecommunications switching facility known as a Central Office or C.O.). There are no physical alterations proposed for the Central Office and development of the surplus land would be at the discretion of a buyer or future owner. Property Desrciption The subject property is currently comprised of one (1) lot, as illustrated on the attached land survey (see Exhibit "A"). The total land area consists of +/- 122,880 square feet (+/- 2.821 acres). The site is located within Keahuolu, North Kona, near the intersection of Palani Road and Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. Access to the site is from Palani Road. Said access is sufficient for the existing use, and as there is no new development proposed with this application, there will not be an increase in traffic generated by the site. However, the Public Works Department of the County of Hawaii advised that left -turn access be prohibited in the event the subject property is to be developed into a commercial use in their April 28, 2003 letter to Sandy Padaken (attached). The Public Works Department also mentioned the possibility of street widening at the time of development in their letter. The subject site is approximately .28 miles inland of Kailua Bay. It lies on the western slope of Hualalai Volcano, on Pleistocene and recent lava flows. Soils at the subject property are Punalu'u extremely stony peat, a part of the Punalu'u Verizon — Kona 06.17.03 Page 3 series of well -drained, thin organic soils over pahoehoe bedrock. The site consists of 6-20% slopes, from east to west. Annual rainfall in the area is 30-40 inches, and the mean annual temperature is approximately 75° Fahrenheit. The subject property is improved with one (1) existing structure. Same is a telecommunications switching facility (Central Office or C.O.) The C.O. building is a one-story structure containing +/- 8,446 sq. ft. of floor space. It is essentially fully dedicated to switching equipment that forwards, receives, and routes voice, data and information. It also provides enhanced services such as call forwarding, call waiting, conference calling, etc. The majority of the floor space is dedicated to telecommunication panels, racks, power systems (battery and backup), monitoring systems, cabling and other related equipment. There is essentially no area in the building improved for office use. Utilities such as water, telephone, and electricity exist at the site. Sewage disposal is by way of a septic tank. The subject property is located in the Kailua Village Special District. There is no development proposed with this application, and, as a result, review of this application by the Kailua Village Design Commission would not be required. The site is not located within the Special Management Area zone, and, as such, is not subject to the regulatory criteria of the County of Hawaii's Special Management Area Rule 9. Historic, Natural, Valued Cultural Resources: Attached please find surveys of historic, natural, and cultural resources, conducted at the site in conjunction with the proposed application. Upon completion of each survey, it was concluded that the proposed application (and forthcoming subdivision proposal) would not negatively impact any historical, cultural, or natural resources at the site. Conclusion This application will improve consistency and the soundness of land use and zoning designations in the area. Specifically, it will eliminate a spot zone, which is not conducive to the orderly development and use of land. Pending the rezoning and future subdivision of the property, orderly development and land use can be initiated, to the mutual benefit of the County of Hawaii, the Kona commercial district and Verizon of Hawaii. Respectfully Submitted, Verizon Hawaii Inc. State Land Use Boundary Amendment Application Conformance with Hawaii Revised Statutes General Plan and District Standards Project Site: at Keahuolu, North Kona, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii Tax Map Key: (3) 7-4-08:020 Owner., Verizon Hawaii Inc., a Hawaii Corporation (Verizon) Attn: Jim Tousignant 112 Lakeview Canyon Road CA501 CW Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805.372.6882 (tel) Applicant: Same as Owner Applicant's Agent/Representative: Padaken Realty Attn: Sandra Padaken 155 Anela Street Hilo, HI 96720 Surveyor: Towill Shigeoka & Associates, Inc. Attn: Robert Lee 1270 Queen Emma Street Suite 700 Honolulu, HI 96813 Application Scope: State Land Use Boundary Amendment Application A. Conformance to Hawaii Revised Statutes: 808.981.2371 (tel) 808.538.3857 (tel) The subject property and two adjacent lots are presently classified by the State Land Use Commission (SLUG) as being in the Agricultural District. This is a land use that is inconsistent with the large parcels that are in the SLUC Urban District and completely surround the subject property and two adjacent lots. At the present time the County of Hawaii zoning for the subject property is A -1a which is also inconsistent with the "commercial" type zoning for most of the surrounding properties. The County of Hawaii's General Plan classifies the subject property as High Density Urban. Verizon's present use of the subject property as a telecommunications' switching station, the Kona Central Office, supports the intense urban use in the Keahuolu area, which includes major shopping centers such as Makalapua Shopping Center (K -Mart), Cross Roads Shopping Center (Safeway & 12 other businesses), Wal-Mart, Kona Coast Verizon — Kona Conformance 06.17.03 Page 2 Shopping Center (Ross & 15 other businesses) and Lanihau Shopping Center (23 businesses). The approval of Verizon's request to amend the SLU boundaries and change the subject property's land use classification from Agricultural to Urban supports the intent of Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 205 and SLUC's mission to establish urban district boundaries that group "like kind" activities and land uses into contiguous land areas. The approval also conforms to the County of Hawaii's General Plan designation for the subject property which is High Density Urban. Since there is no proposed development or plan to build on the subject property, at this time there is no proposed use that would affect public access, scenic or open space resources, coastal view planes, coastal ecosystems or be contrary to Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 205A, Coastal Zone Management law. B. Conformance to General Plan: The existing General Plan Designation at the site is High Density Urban. The existing State Land Use Designation and Zoning Designation is Agricultural. The proposed application (along with the proposed Zone Change application being submitted simultaneously) is being submitted in an effort to create consistency between the three designations, thus allowing the subject property to be developed in accord with the goals, policies, and standards of the General Plan. C. Conformance to District Standards: The subject site lies within the Kailua Village Special District, which accommodates commercial development. As there is no development proposed with this application, the proposal is not subject to the review and approval of the Kailua Village Design Commission. Respectfully Submitted, Verizon Hawaii Inc. V - CHANGE OF ZONE APPLICATION COUNTY OF HAWAII PLANNING DEPARTMENT (Type or legibly print the requested information) APPLICANT: {CIZt �WAII) IbX • � A tJA11 6P.iORFTI W % AiM:.SIM Tj)0sy3 iW-r APPLICANT'S SIGNATURE: ��— DATE: 5/z -1/0-S ADDRESS: 112 LA1cEVIEW CAW409 ROAD 110XMb DAKSj CA 0113(P2 LIST APPLICANT'S INTEREST IF NOT OWNER: 06)"V - LIST PRINCIPAL(S) INCLUDING NAMES OF MAIN OFFICERS: PHONE:(Bus.) LANDOWNER(S): (Res.) (Fax) LANDOWNER SIGNATURE(S): DATE: 7,7163 (May be by letter) LANDOWNER(S) ADDRESS: SAME AS AIMV—A►AT REQUEST: Ar., MUL1U4.A.L &sAa> To WAL VILLAC-AE xisting inning (Proposed Zoning) TAX MAP KEY: �3� i 4 O� OLO STREET ADDRESS OF PROPERTY: 5W(- PALAmi PAD AND 4141D SIZE OF PROPERTY OR AFFECTED AREA(S) TO BE REZONED: :'/-1ZZ.'0$O AGENT: fADPK Y—�ALT ATM: SA MA rH1�/aG.Cn ADDRESS: 155 AMELA saT t✓Er }11Lo� X11 q(oIZO TELEPHONE: (Bus.) Z'611 Z311 (Res.) (Fax) M 101.21 Please indicate to whom original correspondence and copies should be sent. ORIGINAL: 614MDU PADAKB�I (MSM `,)__ COPIES:, IM TO0S169A11'Y (AMCAAT� (See Instructions on Reverse Side) ATTACHMENT Commercial, RM, Resort, & Industrial PLANNING DEPARTMENT COUNTY OF HAWAII APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF ZONE i. if your request is approved, do you intend to subdivide the subject land in accordance with the approved change of zone? N95 If yes, please answer the rest of question I and then to question 3. a. How many acres of the requested area do you intend to 2-$-L` subdivide? b. Into what lot sizes? am •YA-1 AGfCS c. if your request is approved, approximately how long ON ages after the date of approval do you expect to submit your subdivision plans to the Planning Department for preliminary approval? IMMIAIVLq If you intend to subdivide, please submit a preliminary schematic subdivision plan together with your change of zone application form. 2. If you nave no firm plans of subdividing the subject area, do you intend to: a. Sell or lease the land to someone who has firm plans? b. Sell or lease the land to someone who has tentative plans? C. Sell or lease the land to someone who has no plans? d. Keep it? e. other (please state) If you intend to do either a, b, or c, please elaborate on the kind of plans the other party has. Please, also, include in your answer approximately how soon after approval of your rezoning do you expect to transfer the subject land to another party. 3. What specific building plans do you have for the subject land? Include in your answer the following: type of building (apartment, office, launderette, etc.); financing arrangement; timetable for construction; and any other information which you feel might help us in evaluating your request. -T"M AeE ao 'PLANS Fog DEVSWP194 -M'9 UNkMP9o1ED fbirnc4 or- IRS Sue-weoT Srm ATTNis TINS.INE EX+611m(zi -gMCA.4t4W1CA'(1C*XS SO rCAWCC fWUTY 1S W'Mo�P-D "TD V-SMAla- 4. Have you performed any study which would demonstrate a need for your proposed building and/or development? W) if so, please elaborate on your findings in the space provided below. 2- 5. Have you performed any study which discusses the environmental impacts your request would nave on the surrounding area and/or the County? If so, please elaborate on your findings in the space provided below. 51-Oples HAVE ZfFA Co►1DOMT) as -Me 6 mE IV -1 TWAy MDA T:M-NE S0'9DV15I0tJ) VAXVEZ.'MV iaU.UDE 1. AQ-COZOLO(uAL 11WOOM4 SUVNEY (Alip"ED) Z. Awad AND -rb�aX51RAwL MAf4MALIA l SrC(IC5 Suvtvs`( ATM "ED) 3-SOrA*3\CAI. &VVE\/ (gym CKWOO) 6. Are there any buildings on the subject area?5 If so, what kind? -(1ks� IS tNE(1)-TrAzCaA).4L* (LPM 'b SU)MAIuy FAV UTq ext"Kic, AT 'ME S OBJecr S 11s What do you intend to do with those buildings if your request is approved? -INE EX14-n G --r UIUDI a(:1 IS 1TEMOSO M TZ -f W kl . 7. Is the subject land currently being used for any agricultural activity? N b if so, please list the kinds of products grown on and how many square feet or acres of land per product? -3- B. To your knowledge, has there been any flooding and/or drainage problem on the subject area? If so, please describe the problem. g. Do you think that the roads leading to the subject area needs improvement? If so, what kind? # &-PEV ZPAc T 15'PIZ&GSD wnHIH15 AMCAT"J IN 0 NA Is the road adequate for the proposed traffic volume ,,, or load? �JA 10. what sort of governmental assistance and/or improvements do you feel will be needed in the subject area when developed? yes up a. Schools %C b. Roads x C . Sewer d. Drainage X X e. Police Protection x f, Fire Protection K S Recreational Facilities h. Recreational Facilities i. Other 40 DEV0.01109A)C IS-MP056D 0011-115A-?Ta 0r3 -4- For those checked "yes," please elaborate what type or kinds of improvements and/or assistance are needed. 11. Have you performed any historic sites study and/or survey of the subject area? If so, what were the results? Please, also, submit a copy of the study together with this change of zone supplement. IF 0OC,; STmc lJ►TH-f)AW GE{1►tURES 610.5 1pEt�r1F1�D•-TKE gYUp-ES �AV� BEES eamvdD IWDTeSTtb.130 FURT1iER ARj gp,5D►AC-6CAI UXM 1s aCOMMfND¢T) -4" ME 5101D4/5URVEY 1S ATrW-4WD• Signature Address: JJZ IAVZVIE�W '0 A RDAU�i1iOt)SA1,1DOA1�4� CA 1►3(02 Telephone: $� 3 jZ • (o$$Z Date: ��p3 -5- 6338A/50A P. D. 5/84 Corporate Real Estate 27 May 2003 Planning Department County of Hawaii Hanama Place 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy Suite 109 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 venLn 112 S. Lakeview Canyon Road, CA501CW Thousand Oaks. CA 91362-3831 Fax 805 379-1454 RE: Applicant/Representative Letter of Authorization — Verizon (formerly GTE) Property Situated at Olaa, Puna, Island of Hawaii: TMK: (3) 7-4-08:020 To whom it may concern: Please be advised that Sandra Padaken, of Padaken Realty, has been authorized by Verizon Hawaii Inc. (Verizon), a Hawaii Corporation, as their authorized representative, pertaining to the change of zone application being processed for the subject property. The application is for the entire property at the site. Verizon is the owner of said property. In the event you have any questions regarding this authorization, please contact me directly at 805.372.6882. Thank you for your continuing time and assistance. Sincerely, f7-- ousignant Manager -Transactions (West) Verizon Corporate Real Estate cc: S. Padaken, Padaken Realty J. Pobanz, CB Richard Ellis Background and County Environmental Report for the Proposed Change of Zone Application Tax Map Key (3) 7-4-08:020 Prepared By: Blu Croix Ltd., A Delaware Corporation June 2003 Planning Application: at Keahuolu, North Kona, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii Tax Map Key: (3) 7-4-08:020 Owner. Verizon Hawaii Inc., a Hawaii Corporation (Verizon) Attn: Jim Tousignant 112 Lakeview Canyon Road CA501 CW Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805.372.6882 (tel) Applicant: Same as Owner Applicant's Agent/Representative: Padaken Realty Attn: Sandra Padaken 155 Anela Street Hilo, HI 96720 808.981.2371 (tel) Surveyor. Towill Shigeoka & Associates, Inc. Attn: Robert Lee 1270 Queen Emma Street Suite 700 Honolulu, HI 96813 808.538.3857 (tel) Application Scope: Change of Zone; Change of State Land Use Designation A. Subject Request., Project Description: This application is being submitted in order to: 1. Create consistency between the General Plan Land Use designation and the zoning of the site, with the General Plan Land Use designation and zoning of the surrounding properties. The existing General Plan Land Use designation is High Density Urban and the existing zoning is Agricultural (A-1 a). The subject application proposes to have the General Plan Land Use designation remain, and proposes to modify the zoning designation to Village Commercial (CV -10). The majority of existing General Plan Land Use designations of abutting properties is High Density Urban; other properties are designated Low and Medium Density Urban. Zoning Designations for the majority of the abutting properties consist of Village Commercial and General Commercial, with varying lot size requirements. Verizon — Kona 06.17.03 Page 3 2. Establish sound land use designations that will be in place and will be conducive with the eventual subdivision of this +/- 122, 880 square foot (+/- 2.821 acre) property into two (2) legal lots. As a regulated entity, Verizon is required to sell surplus property that is not being used for the purpose of rendering telecommunication services. By doing so, to the benefit of the ratepayer, Verizon will be operating in a more efficient and cost effective manner (by eliminating the carrying costs of the surplus land). In some cases, vacant property is retained at this type of site, to accommodate future growth. However, at the subject location, after extensive study, it has been determined that additional surplus property is not required for current operations, nor is it necessary to be retained for future expansion. There is no proposed development associated with this request. Upon completion of the proposed Zone Change and State Land Use Designation change (and the forthcoming subdivision application), Verizon will sell the surplus portion of the property, and retain/operate the balance of the property (which contains a telecommunications switching facility known as a Central Office or C.O.). There are no physical alterations proposed for the Central Office and development of the surplus land would be at the discretion of a buyer or future owner. B. Conformance with State/County Plans: The existing State Land Use designation is Agricultural, however this application is being submitted simultaneously with a request to amend the State Land Use designation to Urban, in an effort to make the subject property consistent with the improved properties in the immediate vicinity. There is no proposed development of the subject property at this time. The only use at the site currently exists and conforms to Coastal Zone Management. The existing General Plan Designation is High Density Urban, which does not currently correspond to the current Agricultural zoning designation at the site. The requested zone change to Village Commercial (CV -10) will bring the property to conformance with the General Plan Designation, allowing it to eventually be developed according to the goals, policies, and objectives of the General Plan. The request of changing the zoning designation at the site from Agricultural to Village Commercial (CV -10) will also be consistent with the request to amend the State Land Use designation from Agricultural to Urban (said application is being submitted simultaneously). The subject property is located in the Kailua Village Special District. There is no development proposed with this application, and, as a result, review of this application by the Kailua Village Design Commission would not be required. The site is not located within the Special Management Area zone, and, as such, is not subject to the regulatory criteria of Special Management Area Rule 9. Verizon — Kona 06.17.03 Page 4 C. Physical Characteristics and Environmental Setting of the Property and Surrounding Area The subject property is currently comprised of one (1) lot, as illustrated on the attached land survey (see Exhibit "A"). The total land area consists of +/- 122,880 square feet (+/- 2.821 acres). The site is located within Keahuolu, North Kona, near the intersection of Palani Road and Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. Access to the site is from Palani Road. It is approximately .28 miles inland of Kailua Bay. The subject lies on the western slope of Hualalai Volcano, on Pleistocene and recent lava flows. Soils at the subject property are Punalu'u extremely stony peat, a part of the Punalu'u series of well -drained, thin organic soils over pahoehoe bedrock. The site consists of 6-20% slopes, from east to west. Annual rainfall in the area is 30-40 inches, and the mean annual temperature is approximately 75° Fahrenheit. The subject property is improved with one (1) existing structure. Same is a telecommunications switching facility (Central Office or C.O.) The C.O. building is a one-story structure containing +/- 8,446 sq. ft. of floor space. It is essentially fully dedicated to switching equipment that forwards, receives, and routes voice, data and information. It also provides enhanced services such as call forwarding, call waiting, conference calling, etc. The majority of the floor space is dedicated to telecommunication panels, racks, power systems (battery and backup), monitoring systems, cabling and other related equipment. There is essentially no area in the building improved for office use. Operations at the C.O. do not involve handling of hazardous materials, other than diesel fuel for the backup power generator, on-site batteries to provide uninterrupted power in the event of a power failure, and in certain cases, pressurized nitrogen (for backup cable pressurization). All of the foregoing is facilitated in accord with Verizon's environmental compliance program (which equals or exceeds local, state and federal law). Historic, Natural, Valued Cultural Resources Attached please find surveys of historic, natural, and cultural resources, conducted at the site in conjunction with the proposed application. Upon completion of each survey, it was concluded that the proposed application (and forthcoming subdivision proposal) would not negatively impact any historical, cultural. or natural resources at the site. Social -Economic Characteristics: The social settlement pattern for the Kona area consists of agricultural, commercial, and residential land uses. The agricultural production in the area consists of coffee, Macadamia nuts, pork, and beef. The Kona area has Verizon — Kona 06 17.03 Page 5 experienced a moderate population growth over the past several years as an estimated 19,494 Hawaiians reside in 6,928 households in zip code 96740. While the majority of the settlement pattern consists of agricultural and residential land uses, commercial land uses have become abundant, especially in the area surrounding the subject site. Major retailers in the area, such as Walmart, Costco, and Kmart, have influenced the commercial development in the area, contributing to the high demand of further growth and settlement. As a result of the foregoing settlement patterns, land values for commercial uses range from $14.65 to $34.36 per square foot. The median house value in the area is $209,700.00. Surrounding Lands: The subject site is one of three agriculturally zoned sites in the area, generally surrounded by commercially zoned properties. The commercial zones in the area are General Commercial and Commercial Village zones with varying minimum lot sizes. The majority of the surrounding land uses are retail strip malls with anchors such as Big K Mart, Safeway, Ross, and Walmart. There are six major hotels within five miles from the subject site. Specific abutting land uses are as follows: North — Makalapua Shopping Center with Big K Mart East -Retail Center with Safeway, Walmart West — Strip Retail Center with Ross D. Public Facilities and Services As previously mentioned, the site is currently improved with a telecommunications switching facility. Adequate public facilities and services are available and in use at the site. Access is from Palani Road. Running water, a septic tank, solid waste removal, police and fire protection, and other services such as telephone and electricity will continue to be available and in use at the site in the future. As there is no development proposal associated with this application, measuring the adequacy and availability of public facilities and services for the future use of the site, beyond that which is described above, is not applicable. E. Environmental Assessment and Analysis As there is no plan for development of the subject site at this time, this section of the report is not applicable. Verizon — Kona MATO Page 6 F. Conclusion This application will improve consistency and the soundness of land use and zoning designations in the area. Specifically, it will eliminate a spot zone, which is not conducive to the orderly development and use of land. Pending the rezoning and future subdivision of the property, orderly development and land use can be initiated, to the mutual benefit of the County of Hawaii, the Kona commercial district and Verizon of Hawaii. Respectfully Submitted, Verizon Hawaii Inc. Agency Comments Verizon Hawaii Inc. Application for Amendment of State Land Use Boundary and County of Hawaii Zoning Designation Affecting Tax Map Key 3/7-4-08:20 Keahuolu, North Kona, Hawaii Owmes 14 0 OQARTMENT OF WATLs i l UPPLY • COUNTY OF 14AWAII stilC.k...eas.+eR�a grm ' Wstor3lnaasre.ssdPJr�eg�aees ingesQ.sno aessaaww Taut D!ip3CayN "dmr.. 9{tndAdirsas= $rbdt+6ioa: L LCaeyrYr�rsstl66kmtmtpoaif 2' ltaietvloeL*Rttmat#HOaWt#lapatsadT 3. b a V/Mw =rm=w=zmwy- a wmsssmea►mosms"ft raMsawMawwp mo S. bsa'Oisa?9a�'Ages�letsagsl�edt i. b.silis+.H+sA/uemaa.c.rpuitlr$ip�gJ KYsr,is®aeaeaon� iapleoaT ComStm withEng;neenag !. Axel mpg...ai.tisa.aaeu�.rv,�.eaaa.t.oersr tlYr;+*w as dw Yas Ne Ys aC. Wo Yo p(, Nb Yq YM XasNo Y'a zw L rWxwfauaivvHdi%=dumogyplasas+mmdwa w0 mtbddsawktbohaul IMW 2 yaa _ spar `� t0 Ysri _ tb I t 2.'tlsyoopa►�wYarraiible�Na*.vwfaa�swrarer�s.�owswravr+�t•s i Nw�fysisi0r�4D4�t�rsaewip�ffitJaLWPkrrr++att+eut9iard. ae>p6� ltatoa�p�ibae6ain�4aM�a�s�o�a+T�aso.rdroY�tlrsoesAa�ese aarpa�egs J.'aftrrraw0iitbrsd��,rds�rirle.+i��eseoaq�► '� llerwnrai�Yep1�>�rbdrD�mrRal*lstldab'siYsat74ptesa4.sa�rwsw,:�i6glglaaadtmr. nAm- ,�5/ )I/ Q3 Harry Kim Mayor March 17. 2003 Barbara Bell Director Gunfui of pufunii DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 25 Aupuni Street, Room 208 • Hilo, Hawaii 967201252 (808) 961-8083 • Fax (808) 961-8086 Sandy Padaken Designated Realtor PADAKEN REALTY 155 Anela Street Hilo, HI 96720 SUBJECT: Request for Comment, Verizon Hawaii Inc. Property Proposed Change State Land Use Designation, County of Hawaii Zoning Possible Subdivision Affecting TMK 3/7-4-08:20 Kailua-Kona We have reviewed the subject request and ask that a Solid Waste Management Plan be submitted to this department, Solid Waste Division, for review and approval. Barbara Bell DIRECTOR cc: SWD WWD Planning Department Harry Kim Mayor November 7, 2002 Sandy Padaken Padaken Realty 155 Anela Street Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Ms. Padaken: PLANNING DEPARTMENT 25 Auputu Stree4 Room 109 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742 Tax Map Key 7-4-008:020 Christopher J. Yuen Director Roy R Takemoto Deputy Director This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of September 11, 2002, regarding the subject property. Please be advised that we have conferred with the Department of Public Works regarding access to the above subject property. Since the property takes access from Palani Road (a limited access road), only one (1) access point will be permitted. In addition, the property is currently zoned Agriculture with a minimum lot size requirement of one acre (A -1a), As such, a two (2) lot subdivision in this district would require a minimum 164 wide right-of-way with a minimum 12 -ft. wide pavement. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ed Cheplic of this department. Sincere) CH ISTOPH YUEN Planning Director ETC:Inm P:IWP601SUBDIMI mentslSubc2002417-4-8-20VedzonPADAKEN.doc xc: Department of Public Works PADAKEN REALTY 155 Anela Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Telephone and Facsimile: 808-981-2371 E-mail: padaken@ilhawaii.net March 6, 2003 Via Facsimile Only Ed Cheplic, Planner County of Hawaii Planning Department 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 109 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Subject: Request for Additional Information Possible Subdivision and Roadway Access Affecting Tax Map Key 3/7-4-08:20, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii This accompanies Planning Department letter dated November 7, 2002 that provides information regarding the possible subdivision and roadway access of referenced property and asks that you consider one more option. County of Hawaii Planning Department has already determined that only one (1) access point will be permitted. Can Verizon subdivide the lot into two parcels and create vehicle access to the back lot via a roadway easement that passes over lot that fronts Palani Road, see location of potential roadway easement cross hatched on Figure 1. The intention is that both lots would share a single vehicle access point via the roadway easement. For your information Verizon is preparing to submit applications to the County of Hawaii to change the State Land Use Designation from Agriculture to Urban and the County of Hawaii zoning from A 1-A to some sort of commercial designation. Please call me at 981-2371 if you have questions or need more information before commenting. Aloha, �Gfi✓lL� �Q�`-� Sandy Padaken Designated Realtor C: Mike Morgan, Blu Croix and w/out attachment Attachment Harry Kim Mayor April 17, 2003 (,gvunfg of pttfunii PLANNING DEPARTMENT 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-3043 (808)961-8288 • Fax(808)961-8742 Ms. Sandy Padaken, Designated Realtor Padaken Realty 155 Anela Street Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Ms. Padaken: Your Request for Comments (March 11, 2003): Proposed Rezoning & Subdivision 2.923 acs. Keahuolu, N. Kona TMK: 7-4-08: 20 Christopher J. Yuen Dimcwr Roy R. Takemoto D,pary Di.,wr According to the letter received, Verizon is gathering information to possibly rezone the current Agricultural state land use and the county zoning of parcel 20 to a state Urban district and a county commercial zone. Your client is considering applying for a 2 -lot commercial subdivision where the lots would be subdivided in tandem; and therefore, one lot, only, would have frontage on Palani Road. The comments made below generally pertain to land use and zoning matters. Land Use & Zoning. Parcel 20 is one of three agricultural lots fronting Palani Road that are a zoning anomaly among the parcels adjacent to the intersection of Queen -K- Highway and Palani Road. Generally, the lots around parcel 20 are zoned for County commercial zoning and are in the State urban district. The commercial zoning by location and other related land use information is listed below. • Palani Road. Mauka of and on the same (south) side of the road as parcel 20, the County zoning is Commercial -General (CG -10). Across from parcel 20, on the north side of the road, the County zoning is also CG -10. Ms. Sandy Padaken, Designated Realtor Padaken Realty Page 2 April 17, 2003 Verizon may wish to consider rezoning parcel 20 to a commercial land use consistent with the current zoning of the lots along Palani Road's mauka north and south frontage, or a CG A 0 zoning. ■ Queen -K- Highway (mauka side). The two lots adjacent to and on the south side of parcel 20 are also zoned for commercial general land use, or CG -20. • Northwest Corner of Intersection Kona Coast Shopping Center. The County zoning of the lot at this comer of the intersection is commercial -village (CV -10). ■ Frontage - Southwest Corner of Intersection Federal Post Office & Lanihau Center. The two lots along this frontage are also zoned for commercial use, CV -10 and CG - 20. ■ Design Review — Kailua Village Design Commission Parcel 20 is within the boundaries of the Kailua Village Special District; as a result, commercial development in this special district requires plan approval are subject to architectural and design review by the commission. • General Plan Land Use Policy. The GP land use designation of parcel 20 is high density urban (HDU). A HDU designation is for commercial general and office uses, multiple -residential up to 87 units per acre, and related services. • Special Management Area: N/A. Parcel 20 is a mauka lot that is not within the County's SMA zone; and therefore, this parcel is not subject to the regulatory criteria of SMA Rule 9. Minimum Building Site Area & Average Width. A parcel's zoning determines the minimum lot size needed to create new parcels through the subdivision process. The number following the zoning designation indicates the minimum land area required for each building site, in thousands of square feet (e.g., a CG -10 designation requires a new lot created from the subdivision process to have a minimum lot area of 10,000 square feet). The below information are some minimum requirements using the CG, CV example. Minimum Building Site Area, CG & CV Zone: 7500 square feet requirement. Ms. Sandy Padaken, Designated Realtor Padaken Realty Page 3 April 17, 2003 Minimum Building Site Average Width CG and CV zone: 60 -feet. Other Information. Rather than restating the zoning standards of the CG and CV zone, a copy of the applicable Zoning Code sections are enclosed for your perusal. Some of this information has been highlighted for your convenience. Please contact the following State or County agencies directly to determine conditions, standards or requirements that may be required for the 2 -lot commercial subdivision your client is considering. Road, Drainage, Flood Zone County Dept. of Public Works Engineering Division ..................................... Ph: 961-8327 County Fire Dept..........................................Ph: 961-8350 (Hilo) Ph: 327-3546 Water Meter/Improvements County Dept. of Water Supply ..........................Ph: 961-8060 Proximity to Queen —K- Highway State Highways Division.................................Ph: 933-8866 Dept. of Transportation Vehicle Access: Proposed Roadway Easement. In your March 6a' letter it requested information on whether a roadway easement would be allowed to serve two commercial lots subdivided in tandem? Subdivision Code sec. 23-88(a) allows for a non-dedicable private dead-end street; however, this provision only applies to residential lots and certain kinds of agricultural lots. Minimum right-of-way and pavement widths of a business street require a 60 -feet right-of-way and a 36 -feet pavement width (urban). Sec. 23-4I(a). A minor street would require a 50 -feet minimum right-of-way and a 20 -feet pavement width (urban). Sec. 23-41(a). Variance Application from Subdivision Road Standards. Verizon may apply for a variance from the urban road improvement standards of sec. 23-41. When applying for the variance, the nondedicable private road standards of sec. 23-88(a) could be one alternative to offer in place of the given road standard. Sec. 23-88 allows a 2 -lot Ms. Sandy Padaken, Designated Realtor Padaken Realty Page 4 April 17, 2003 nondedicable private road access to have a 12 -feet wide pavement and a 16 -feet right-of- way. The proposed two -lot commercial subdivision requires the above-described road improvements or a variance from it. The variance, if approved, would substitute an alternative access standard; and, the one example offered above that could be considered would be the nondedicable private street standard. Please follow up with my staff when Verizon has determined what course of action it will take. Earl Lucero can be contacted at 961-8288. Sincer CHRISTOPHER J. &N Planning Director EML:pak P:\WpWin6O\CZM\Lettm\LPadakmVerizon74-8-20 cc: Department of Public Works West HI Planning Office Planning Division Harry Kim Mayor June 3, 2003 County of Hawaii DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE • REAL PROPERTY TAX 865 Piilani Street • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4679 • Fu (808) 961-8415 Appraisers (808) 961-8354 • Clerical (808) 961-8201 • Collections (808) 961-8282 REAL PROPERTY TAX CLEARANCE TMK(s): (3) 7-4-008-020-0000 William Takaba Finance Director Nancy Crawford Deputy Director This is to certify that Verizon Hawaii Inc (owner of record) are exempt from paying Real Property Taxes due the County of Hawaii up to and including June 30, 2003. This tax clearance was requested by Sandy Padaken of Padaken Realty for the County of Hawaii Planning Department for the parcel listed above only. Reference: TX09 (2002-03) .y M DeVincent, Tax Collection Clerk REAL PROPERTY TAX DIVISION Mar 1.1 03 01:55P Stephen K Ysroasltiro Amyl> PRDRKEN RER County of Hawaii 808 381 2371 P.1 DEPARTWNT OF FINANCE - REAL PROPERTY TAR tf3Tftaift a - Ri lkb i 96'1 AVM - Fa(TOq %I-NlT Appeaims(7tta)961-9331 - CIaial(6et)%14ml - C*06Co99s(Ia9)9GI42u REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Harty A_ Takahashi Dveoor S.K_ Schutte Depw . To: County of Hawaii Date: 3 Department of Finance, Real Property Tax Division Fax: (808) 961-8415 (if property is located in zones 1 to 5 or 9 -East Hawaii) Fax: (808) 327-3538 (if property is located in zones 6, 7, or 8 -West Hawaii) From: (Office Name) 'PC d"b" Z'L wl Phone: `81--D371 (Realtor Name) Ja►'t GthAlli/1 Fax#: %$�-�3�' SUBJECT PROPERTY-TMK: (3) �� 4 — �'- 7 G Please submit a separate request for each TMK Please check the current, ear(71 - a� 3 y ), assessment record and indicate whether the subject property is Dedicated or subject to an Agricultural Use Assessment --.------------------FORREALPROPERTYTAXDIVISIONUSEONLY-------------------- Dedicated_ yes_ no �; if yes, the property is potentially subject to rollback taxes. Type of Dedication: Agricultural Use Assessment yes^ no if yes, the property is potentially subject to deferred taxes. This report is only provided based upon a review for the current year's assessment The deferred tax provisions of the agricultural use assessment law and rollback tax provisions of the dedication law may extend for ten or twenty years depending upon the individual taxpayer situation AND WE HAVE NOT REVIEWED THE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE LAST TEN OR TWENTY YEARS. WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ONLY AFTER REVIEWING THE CURRENT YEAR'S ASSESSMENT. We strongly recommend that owners who are contemplating subdivision, reclassification, or changing the agricultural use of the subject property request a complete tax search to determine whether the property may be subject to potential rollback or deferred taxes and penalties. SAIL A. aAJJ 0,080103 R Property Tax Division Date WE WILL RETURN THIS DOCUMENT WITHIN TEN WORKING DAYS OF THE REQUEST VIA FAX. AS of 10/20/99 tax search cost is 6 15.00. (7124/00) Harry Kim Mayor Dixie Knetsu Managing Director April 28, 2003 Ms. Sandy Padaken, Realtor Padaken Realty 155 Anela Street Hilo, HI 96720 yn anBruce C. McCl i Director Caunfia of paftraii Ronald K Takahashi DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Deputy Director 101 Paushi Street, Suite 7 - Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4224 (808)961-8321 - Fax (808)961-8630 Subject: Request for Comment -Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Property Proposed Rezoning and Subdivision Keahuolu, N. Kona TMK: 7-4-008:020 We reviewed the request dated March 10, 2003 and the response dated April 17, 2003 from the Planning Director. Our primary concern is the access from Palani Road which is under County jurisdiction. Specifically, because of the close proximity to the intersection at Queen Kaahumanu Highway and the Fire Station access and location on the inside of a curve, we will recommend that left turns to a commercial facility be prohibited. Left turns from the facility may also be restricted should there be sight distance deficiency or future improvements to Palani Road which necessitate the restriction. Any traffic impact analysis submitted to contradict this recommendation shall be for the highest and best use. It is our policy to recommend that curb gutter and sidewalk be required on a County road frontage of commercially zoned parcels. According to the General Plan, Palani Road is classified as an arterial. A road widening setback will be recommended equal to half the difference of the existing right of way width and 80 feet. We would request that if improvements within Palani Road or the proposed road widening setback are required, they be constructed meeting with the approval of the DPW and that the road widening setback with improvements be dedicated to the County of Hawaii, upon its request, at no cost to the County. Such improvements may include pavement widening, drainage mitigation and relocation of utilities. If you have any questions, please contact Kiran Emler of our Kona office at 327-3530. ,t,Calen M. Kuba, Division Chief Engineering Division KE c: ENG-HILO/KONA Planning Director -. r. I Mer 11 03 01:51P PRORKEM REFILTY 808 991 2371 P,1 County of Hawaii DEPT OF PUBLIC \FORKS- HIGHWAY,1LA&ENTENANCE DIVISION' 630 East Lanikauia Strcet O Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808)961-8349 O Fax (809) 961-8633 DATE: 3- N-0-13 TO: COUNTY OF HAWAII FAX: 961-8633 HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE ADMINISTRATION ATTN: Mr. Stanley Nakasone Highway Maintenance Superintendent FROM: (Office Name) -R"' A- kp � V-&� t` ] � aZ (Realtor Name)_ t"oLK-L„-' FAX# 8 1 3 1 TEL# 2B 1. 5'3'-) I SUBJECT PROPERTY -174K (3)---]=4 - Fi STREET ADDRESS -t�C453A PLEASE SUBMIT SEPARATE REQUEST FOR EACH TMK PARCEL FOR DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE USE ONLY A. Is this road County maintained? (ZYES CNO B. Road Ownership: State Highway County Road GOvernmentJNumestFod Road Private Road Other Road Unknown (] C. Comments - JR yA D. Disclaimer: The physical location of many rural roads including those that are County maintained may not be located within the right-of-way as shown on TMK maps. 03'p��t March 12, 2003 Facsimile Cover Page To: Dennis Hamamoto, County of Hawaii, DPW Wastewater Division From: Sandy Padaken, Padaken Real6E9_%!_� Voice and Fax Telephone Number: 808-981-2371 E-mail: padaken@ilhawaii.net Subject: Request for Additional Information, Sewer Tax Map Key 3/7-4-8:20 Thank you very much for your quick response to my Request for Public Information, see attached. Verizon Hawaii wants to subdivide the referenced parcel into two parcels and to sell off the back parcel which is surplus land. If Verizon were able to create a second lot could any facility built on the second lot be allowed to hook up to the public sewer system? If yes would there be any special difficulties in creating a second hook up at this site? For ease in making the response you can use the comment section on attached Request for Public Information form. Again, thanks for your cooperation!! 12 pages including cover page; original will not be mailed. If you receive this fax in error, please call 808-981-2371 W . ..—. —.. 111.r, , u 001 td(1 REQUEST FOR PUBLIC YNFORMATION P.01 Tot COUNTY 011HAWAJI—DPW DA7Z: WASTEWATER I)MBION F'AJC: (808) 961-86" MONE: (808) 961-8338 FROM: 54z 11454 FAX: 57l PHONE: l - SUB.IECT: Eff ORMATION PXQUFSTED FOA Tmm 3 - -l-`f - $' : a-ej NOTE. 3i= FORM aPPLMS ONLY ID PROM= LDCAUD IN TM RII.c, PAVZ" PAPwt¢OU, PEPEEgEp, KAPMW AND IGILVA-ICONA ARLLL ALL OTHER PROPERTIES ARE NOT IN VICINfry OF PUBLIC SEWES. areat DteAMIMa r Or EM Lic WORKS Usg_ ny) Yrs No ? 0 ❑ property is xuxraubk to apnrbGe saves. ❑,{ is carr*o* being billed sewn user charges. C3prul y is connected to a public sower. LI ❑ ProPcrIy R 9MM t Qom mnnection m die public ,sewer systep. ❑ ❑ Extension Of pttbIlc sewer seMx to property is scheduled within the next 2 yetis. ❑ ❑ Extension of public sewer sa Ace to property is planned within the next to years. comments: Nota: According to the Sewer Code, " EV W lot which is accessible to a sewer and which has plumbing fixtures jocund on in shall be connected to the sewer.,. . Etresytions to, the above are provided for lots which meet various criteria including bcia8 below the level ofthe sewer or part afa orivxWY fimded exta>Am. Pleaso refer to Section 21.5 of the County Cade for additional details. According to the Plumbing Code, a cleanout is required to be iasrdled at the property line. IA the event that a cleanout is not inscLUed and it is detatt[bud that the prioPMY is cartemly Moneeted to the sewer system a eJeatnout will be required to be installed. Investjgations of the caxnection smnrs may be available througb the Wastewater Division on a time available basis. . CanSrrnation of mM381Won smug does not Suaraome that ap permits and approvals have bcn granted Please cont -=t the Wastewater Division E08ineering Seedon for &A" ingbrion Sea Requests for Public Iasi sea a M Will be respondal In within 10 days of n=ipr. W asrewa[er Dlvl3tau—� Date F:WwkwaterlAd iniznstios%G$Qudumgclm rmerorPublic h6goauw Amended 07A wo .,.:a.m PRDRKEM RERLTY 808 981 2971 03 p/p a 1160 ,0 ,��.4p�1000614/44 PAOAREN RMITY 00f Y$12771 TER DIVISION BKOU"T FOR PUBLIC IIrTFOItMATION TO: C0l?PP1iY OF1it1AWA.0-101rW JDA -M: WASTS WATMIMMON FAX. (666) 961-66" TJR PM. (606) M6148333 FRorldL 544 VI &.. a 4CAl�r r.- �a-d�isr-1 i2�C= FAX: �S -ap-1 PRONE: ME SUnjrCr,. LvFOn116AZ1oXjRxgvzj;TzD Fon Tam 3 -'1-4- toot 0.W NO=. ffia resod APMJZS OMY TO PROMAUS tM"MM IN 7M HU,% PA9XAA. PAPAX'OU, rEPXZ=O, XAPtAOAM1r X41IXA.XOMARRAS ALL OTMM PRarna ES ARE NOT 1N VICINrry OF PUBLIC SEWER. nee Mo Q O ❑ Prepenvwaeaetp3lemapWdieisWR'. - - -.. ie 4urrea<ly bomb hi1W seats user ehmgms. ❑ 63 ropar a loa pub9c sow= ❑ ❑ rmpany b< , ij t fiam ravoeetivn to the pubUa mrAwsyxlcm ❑ Q 19memroom ufpubtle sewer snVft m preperly it scbcduW wi Mfr the noa 2 years. 0 ❑ Mmusl. n st>wbSe sew serr(en to property Is pGaatAwfibih dw neat l0 years. r..-.�.....c- Y 0 5 •v I�✓f A Notes: AaeordisS to the Sewer Cade; "Every he which Js ucmcsiela to a sewvmbd v&kb ims plumbLC twwlw located w it Shay be enoacmd to 3e mvw ... %dam to drvmboveory provided for lets which meet vmrious rli¢tia iachtduy being below the Jsvelor*r,mwvarpmaiapeiraWyfAmW a[ocww. P1cueveftroSecdw2t-5oftheCamtY Code for adr@Jmai deRge. ArrarcUils to rbc Plumbing Cork, a elarwut is requieod m be im—fled as dle property Jima is dta ectrp[ Uar a elcramu[ is mot imsnUUcd mud it IT d=WmkWlbUQG proWly it GmarmAy comeeed lathe sower sys[arte a demaout w U be required to betwo "l A Javastigsdws ofthv o0amcdom abdme may be awl" thmiek she Wastrwa[er OJvL4 m an a Woe available basis. . cmWroudats of mrterstam slams does slot gdasmm that all petram and a Xwgp have been pdmred Please vmtr= ON WAMWAW Divinm l mgmmou6 Sesaddm fpr anew b+fmnnuCaa P."uem for Publie lmehsmrerim wM be raepon jad la witltim 10 days urvomeipr- .5/f- ,O WAnewacer Dir 1Dah F:w bPWieltGaaedee IltmenJcd 07/19100 -- ••�•••�•ncn�ir - 808 Sal 2371 P.2 REQUEST FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION TO: COUNTY OF HAWAII—DPW DATE _' 13 'A60 WASTEWATER DIVISION BAX: (808 961-8644 PHONE: (solo)) 961-833S FROM: Y)dtit FAX 3 PHONE:4-3: � 1 Z INFORMATION ORMATION REQUESTED FOR TWM- 24 7 q - —3 : i4 NOTE: TTDS FORM APPLIES ONLY TO PROPERTIES LOCATED W T= kMO, PAUKAA. PAPAncou, PEPEERTO, KAPEM AND KArLUA-KONA AREAS. ALL OTHER PROPERTIES ARE NOT IN VICINITY OF PUBLIC SEWER 70R DEPARTMENT OF PMLIC WORXS USE ONLY) YES NO ❑ jo ?roPcrty is accessible to a public sewer. LA— r 1lrn a A l<-,©e—z*k ❑roperty a currently being billed sewer user charges. El Property is connected to a public Sewer. ❑ ❑ Property is exempt from connection to the public sewer system. p ❑ Extension of public sewer service to property is scheduled within the next 2 years. ❑ p Extension of public sever service to property is planned within the next 10 years. Comments: Notes: According to the Sewer Code, "Every lot which is accessible to a sewer and which has plumbing fixtures located on is shall be connected to the saver ..." . Fmceptions to the above arc provided for lots which meet various criteria including being below the level of the sewer or part of a privately funded extension Please refer to Section 21-5 of the County Code for additional details. According to the Plumbing Code, a cleanout is required to be installed at the property line. In the event that a cleanout is not insulted and it is determined that the property is eurteatly connected to the sewer system, a cleanout will be inquired to be installed- Investigations nsalle - Investigations of the connection status may be available through the Wastewater Division on a time available basis. ConfrnTc1bun of conn=tion status does not gummatee that all permits and approvals have been granted. Please contact the Wastewater Division Engioeermg Section for finiber information. Requests for Public fnf'ottttatt��onded to within 10 days of receipt. Wastewater Division ._% Date F:WameWta%AdminiMation"sWlenmuAP&*m tforpublicWonnahan Ammidedo7itsroo mlVP fs._yn HIL9 ♦IIOIr1l0{00 T-016 r.0!/0! F-ddr Ta 011ppttr d Marr IMoh Ph. ( )moi-) IdeelelteRe F1ae1�1 arm p��0 adarm) Fele t� iP-1311 Mel" Sttwt Sun.10S rtwwt r �, p�W tralrn► Am, Mr. ft ► Wlrottm rFrn� MrIrMY etweldn 110 rclltww�w,ur�eme maN is mW �b d@/orlts•� 4lreabr rmf* TKffWt of its MOP My N� �Aderm Rsq grad TMKs or1r �c �.P77I� M10N Nhur l • 11ww1 Address B appsaws; __ 4 Q 4u ..,t..�12na- A I If Qeepoo away mm 611onmdimVOsp ' (W tit [v1 eaatla Tedi prat.- al, su. Plea w * d BodroeTs duVwd for awPat TM*k requtru-p„ comw IEEE) PMM Pant A. r- - ,- /1r �� 7 Lim or I ipv Iy, I 1 No Campo.l 4wr4w o•r+l No taptlo Tank Inb msdan I INN At oWM trNem sam r, r A, eT6v-7-0-� p hole 11t<I ^... MAR 14 20()3 am wpftmv+ Now "�► v S'rwar. ur .......... ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION - SAM11ATruw ow.+....-- Date_,L�;- .SANITARTAN'''SREPORT OF CESSPOOLS ^R / rf./ .?E.%C / A- ')t Pruperby OwnC— i'areas re ----� /4J Now Gunan(rlion _ ✓�j-- ._ — .—/%_, —_j —_r _ lntenUctl for "'7 ]luVldnr or CnN raclor C^'/1,� t%C/Yf�'� F1Ll�s'L`''(+/y�h�rtn.e n �'J (/LcFCr r .. C '- -1 —d+ — ce, Dislunee from building ,4LY— _ ._. _ _. _ Boundary �Q. — � Stream or well 13101netcr(r1cm i ft. Deplb-ft. �_,.? .—� No. it. down to water If any Cspxrlty,(:xllon.,. �._ — —. _ —.— — — Ground slope 44e. or e-IV01etc., Cl xIU .NI or ruck fn,'nVn10n 'sb.xrlinC. from Yn ffNCe_ e Kind of will or curb 4.dT-3e'!/ _ — — _ Kind of cover _LPe Oirlance from stsiace of grouml to ttt/ot/, of rover -fl. Approved _ _..-_ -.-.._.7f g- lg SANITARIAN LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR OF HAWAII UO. - d ,nr>r.+ STATE OF HAWAII PETER T. YOUNG. CHAIRPERSON BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES HISTORIC PRESERVATION DIVISION KAKUHIHEWA BUILDING, ROOM 555 801 KAMOKILA BOULEVARD KAPOLEI. HAWAII 98707 March 19, 2003 Ms. Sandy Padeken Padaken Realty 155 Anela Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 DEPUTIES DAN DAVIDSON ERNEST Y. W. LAU AQUATIC RESOURCES BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT CONVEYANCES ENGINEERING FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE HISTORIC PRESERVATION LAND STATE PARKS LOG NO: 31844 DOC NO: 303MM16 SUBJECT: Request for Comment on Possible Subdivision of Verizon Hawaii Inc. Property, Ahupua'a of Lanihau, District of North Kona, Hawaii Island TMK: (3) 7-4-08:20 Thank you for your letter dated January 22, 2003, and the opportunity to comment on the possible subdivision of the subject property. The review request was received by our Kona staff on March 7, 2003. Our review is based on correspondence records in our Kona office. No site visit was conducted. We understand that Verizon Hawaii Inc. owns the subject property and that their Kona Central Office building is situated at the front of the property along Palam Road. The rear portion of the property is surplus and Verizon is considering rezoning and subdividing -the subject property in order to sell the rear portion. You indicated that the surplus portion of property is in its natural state and we assume you mean the parcel has not been previously grubbed or graded. We do not have a record of an archaeological inventory on the subject property. We recommend that a qualified archaeologist determine whether any sites are present and provide an assessment report for our review. If sites are present, an inventory survey will likely be recommended to determine their significance, the effect of the proposed action, and appropriate mitigation measures. If no sites are present, the proposed action would likely have "no effect" on historic properties. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact Dr. Pat McCoy, Hawaii Island Archaeologist at (808) 692-8029, or MaryAnne Maigret, Assistant Hawaii Island Archaeologist at 327-4343. Aloha, P. Holly McEldowney, Acting Administrator State Historic Preservation Division MM:ak PADAKEN REALTY 155 Anela Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Telephone and Facsimile: 808-981-2371 E-mail: padaken@ilhawaii.net March 24, 2003 Via Facsimile 808 692-8020 & 808 327-3693 State Historic Preservation Division State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources Kakuhihewa Building, #555 601 Kamokila Boulevard Honolulu, Hawaii 96707 Dear P. Holly McEldowney and Mary Ann Maigret: Subject: Historic Preservation Division Comment, Verizon Hawaii Inc. Property Possible Land Use - Zoning Change and Subdivision Affecting Tax Map Key 3/7-4-08:20 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii This acknowledges receipt of your letter dated March 19, 2003 that provides Historic Preservation Division (HPD) comments regarding referenced Verizon Hawaii Inc. (Verizon) project. This confirms that Verizon hired Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc. to conduct an archaeological inventory survey. We thank you for taking the time to review the proposed action and to provide HPD comments. Aloha, 3 Sandy Padaken Designated Realtor C: Mike Morgan, Blu Croix p4�ad STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE RO BOX 4849 HILO, HAWAII 96720 (808)974-4221 FAX (808)974-4226 January 27, 2003 Ms. Sandy Padaken Padaken Realty 155 Anela Street Hilo, HI. 96720 Dear Ms. Padaken: SUBJECT: Request for Comment, Verizon Hawaii Inc. Property Possible Subdivision Affecting Tax Map Key 3/7-4-08:20, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii This responds to your request of 21 January 2003 for comments on the proposed project. We are not aware of any rare plants on the subject parcel, however, the endangered Uhiuhi (Caesalpinia kavaiensis), endangered violet (Isodendrion pyrifolium) and the Candidate species Bidens micrantha spp. ctenophylla are known to exist nearby at Kealakehe. Additionally, an uncommon native dry shrubland dominated by Alahe'e (Psydras odoratun:) is present mauka of the parcel. It is recommended that the parcel be surveyed for rare plants prior to moving forward with the subdivision development. Sincerely, \ I A-'—&awaii G. GIFFIN Branch Manager FROM : SANDY PADW34 FAX NO. : 808 9812371 Sep. 05 2002 02:25PM Pi September 5, 2002 ?n02 SEP S Pf► 2 43 n®onse yo etaaum for ftb k. I29W V i aNNJNG DEPARTMENT COUNTY OF HAWAfI Tu MP ser 3// 07,6 IA"m Palati Road, North Kana, Hawald Carrot (J wren Wrimus Hawaii hm Ssbtshted by: �.•� PaOalatas, Realtor�Patlatn Rwt��,a-r� FAX Nvmbm 08-"1a371 Phone Nu sber: W -M -U71 avormallow b*kw to be POM#*Ied byPh wa&sDq wrbwewr Letfise: _2,,M Ae— C>amrd Plan Dedgttedm Lot dltnatt Ous as deplored on Tax Maps (vrodeing clockwise from the &cot bouodtay) IIA , OW !Y/.. . Special MWN#W=t Area: YesNo k Sbamllse Satbeal s: Yos No 1(yes, now awch:l Yard (tNtbaolu) I mut 7:Tp_ Rear An _ Sides try r Other farts alar Aw4md lot) Elttttte Road Wideoing7 Yea_ No , If yea, how much? Is thm a�file avail" forreviewon Ws ppmperty2 (iraeseod type +red file numbers below) rUC1-0n 1W W �U 'X'7L]�1� 91f USE VAR _ I19C Completed by Date ?- 20,0 Z DlRtdlller:'l7eNoq bnnn�ulee limp aW ndigla FiniFesad pe�ep�. fi.aspew aiek, ptwwced.tkOr tkoennrkyna. ��Ay'ktrbute161pM1iMlrMernotp1tabumafekmono =m*m"mmdannb 023O Corporate Real Estate 16 June 2003 County of Hawaii Planning Department 75-5706 Kuakini Highway Suite 109 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 venLn 112 S. Lakeview Canyon Road. CA501 CW Thousand Oaks, CA 91362-3831 Fax 805 379-1454 RE: Archaeological Resources at Verizon Property Situated at Olaa, Puna, Island of Hawaii (T.M.K. (3) 7-4-08:020) To Whom It May Concern: Please be advised that as part of Verizon's application to amend the Zoning and State Land Use designation at the subject property, the attached Archaeological Inventory Survey, conducted by Cultural Surveys Hawai'i, Inc., was completed and closely reviewed. Verizon concurs with the attached report and will take the necessary actions to insure its findings are implemented and complied with. Furthermore, this, and similar efforts, as part of the referenced application, are being done in order to insure that all possible cultural, historical, biological and environmental issues are closely studied and evaluated. In addition, please rest assured that this report, as well as the other studies and reports conducted throughout this process will not only be reviewed carefully by Verizon, but will be forwarded to any prospective Buyer or User that enters into an agreement to purchase or develop this property. Verizon is extremely amenable towards and supportive of, such efforts to preserve and protect the great history and culture of Hawaii and we welcome your input and suggestions towards meeting this important objective. In the event you have any questions, or desire additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me, directly, at 805.372.6882. Your time and attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Jim Tousignant Manager -Transactions (West) Verizon Corporate Real Estate CC: S.Padaken, Padaken Realty J. Pobanz, CB Richard Ellis ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVENTORY SURVEY IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED VERIZON OFFICE SUBDIVISION PROJECT. KEAHUOLU AHUPUA`A, NORTH KONA DISTRICT, ISLAND OF HAWAII (TMK 3-7-4-8:20) by David Perzinski, B.S. Steven Rohrer, B.S. Constance R. O'Hare and Hallett H. Hammatt, PhD Prepared for Blu Croix Ltd. 3961 Blackbird Way Calabasas, CA 91302 by Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc. April 2003 Table of Contents ' TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................1 ' A. Project Background................................................................................................. Area Description I 1 B. Project ......................................................................................... C. Scope of Work........................................................................................................ 1 ' Methodology D. ...........................................................................................................4 ' II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND...................................................................................... 5 A. Mythological and Traditional Accounts................................................................. 5 ' B. Early Historic Period............................................................................................... 6 C. Mid to Late 1800s................................................................................................... 7 ' D. 1900's to Present..................................................................................................... 8 III. PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH............................................................ 9 tIV. SETTLEMENT PATTERNS.......................................................................................... 14 A. Chronology of Land Use....................................................................................... 14 ' B. Land-Use Zones.................................................................................................... 14 C. Predictive Model................................................................................................... 15 ' V. SURVEY RESULTS....................................................................................................... 16 ' VI. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................. 25 VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY........................................................................................................... 26 1 1 I ' Figure 1 ' Figure 2 Figure 3 I Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 ' Table 1 t 1 List of Figures and Tables LIST OF FIGURES U.S.G.S. 7.5 Minute Topographic Map, Kailua Quadrangle, Showing Project AreaLocation...................................................................................................................2 Tax Map Key 7-4-08, Showing the Project Location......................................................3 Tax Map Key 3-7-08:20, Showing Location of Site 50-10-28-23,798, Features A, Band C............................................................................................................................17 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature A, Plan View.................................................................18 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature A, View to the North....................................................19 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature A, Test Unit Post -Excavation, North Wall Profile ...... 19 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature B, Plan View.................................................................21 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature B, View to the West.....................................................22 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature B, Test Unit Post -Excavation, East Wall Profile ......... 22 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature C, Plan View.................................................................23 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature C, View to the East.......................................................24 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature C, View to the West.....................................................24 LIST OF TABLES Previous Archaeological Investigations Within Inland KeahuolilAhupua'a...............12 ii I. INTRODUCTION A. Project Background Introduction At the request of Blu Croix Ltd., Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc. (CSH) has conducted an archaeological inventory survey with limited subsurface testing for the proposed Verizon Hawai`i's Kona Office Subdivision Project (TMK: 3-7-4-8:20). The project area is located at the intersection of Palani Road and Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway within Keahuolu Ahupua'a, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii (Figures land 2). B. Project Area Description The project area is located in Keahuoln Ahupua `a and is approximately 0.45 km (kilometers) or 0.28 mi (miles) mauka (inland) of Kailua Bay. The project area ranges between X45 to 55 m (meters), or 147.58 to 181.61 ft (ft) AMSL (above mean sea level) in elevation. The study parcel is a 2.82 acre lot, on the east side of Palani Road and on the north side of Queen Ka`ahumanu Hwy, situated behind the east side of the Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Kona office and to the west of the Walmart boundary wall. The project area is on the western slope of Hualalai Volcano, on Pleistocene to recent lava flows (Macdonald et al. 1983:366). Soils in the project area are Punalu`u extremely stony peat (6-20% slopes). The Punalu`u extremely stony peat is part of the Punalu`u series of well -drained, thin organic soils (approximately four inches thick ) over pahoehoe bedrock (Sato et al. 1973). . The ground surface gradually slopes down from east to west. Annual rainfall in the area is 30-40 inches, and the mean annual temperature is approximately 75° F (Armstrong 1983:63-65). The vegetation in the project area is characterized by koa haole (Leucaena leucocephala) and kiawe (Prosopis pallida). The understory is covered with air plant (Bryophyllum pinnatum), lantana (Lantana camara), Jamaican vervain (Stachytarpheta jamiacensis), pohuehue (Ipomea sp.) vines, and various grasses. At the time of the survey, vegetation within the project area was moderately dense, but ground visibility was fair to good. Evidence for disturbance in this area consisted of historic boulder push piles that were made by bulldozer grading. C. Scope of Work The following scope of work was completed: 1) A complete ground survey of the entire project area for the purpose of archaeological inventory. All sites were located, described, mapped, and evaluated for function, interrelationships, and significance. Documentation included photographs and scale drawings of the sites. 2) Research on historic and archaeological background, including a search of historic maps, written records, and Land Commission Documents. This research focused on the specific area and had general background on the ahupua `a and district that emphasized settlement patterns. M Introduction e 190 - '14 PROJECT, AREA 'Ay - if BAN Park A na Heiav At a4,lua Eighth N. �co u a L n m Ks Pon ltwrer : .10 V TaCks 0.25 0 0.25\ 0.5 Kilometers R 17 5 0.25 0 0 2 Figure 1 U.S.G.S. 7.5 Minute Topographic Map, Kailua Quadrangle, Showing Project Area Location 2 Introduction K o A �G O H O 1 r PROJECT < - AREA =4 .wrnv nxaw2wav as a r.. xeJxvoru. xw.x lwJ, �r Figure 2 Tax Map Key 74-08, Showing the Project Location 3 r' Nly v31 " �` 'ill �..,...•. "'. ..l...J. w•."..w ti' J IM �� Nrw .s.N l"LA •�. a.... w..r e... aw yoM1 I 14 r PROJECT < - AREA =4 .wrnv nxaw2wav as a r.. xeJxvoru. xw.x lwJ, �r Figure 2 Tax Map Key 74-08, Showing the Project Location 3 Introduction 3) Preparation of a survey report, which included the following: ' • A map of the survey area, showing all archaeological sites and site areas; ' • A description of all archaeological sites, with selected photographs, scale drawings, and discussions on function; t • Historical and archaeological background sections, summarizing pre -contact and historic land use as they relate to archaeological features; • A summary of site categories and their significance in an archaeological and historic context; and, ' • Recommendations, based on all information generated, specifying the steps to be taken to mitigate impact development on archaeological resources, such as data recovery (excavation) and/or preservation of specific areas. ' These recommendations were developed in consultation with the client and State agencies. ' D. Methodology The inventory survey was conducted on March 26th and 27th, 2003 by CSH ' archaeologists Steven Rohrer, B.S. and David Perzinski, B.S., under the overall guidance of Hallett H. Hammatt, Ph.D. The surface survey coverage of the project area was 100%. Starting at the northwest comer of the project area, the boundaries were determined by walking the ' perimeter of the project area and utilizing the contour snap provided for by the client. The project area was transected by systematic sweeps in a north to south direction within the project boundary, with archaeologists spaced 5 to 10 m apart. Written site descriptions, photographs, ' and measurements were recorded for the three located features. Testing occurred at the two features that had the highest excavation potential. 1 ' Historical Background II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ' A. Mythological and Traditional Accounts Keahuolu Ahupua'a is located within a transitional area between two distinct ecological zones. Lands to the south of Keahuolu, known as Kona kai 'opua (Kona of the distant horizon clouds above the ocean), between Kailua Bay and Keauhou Bay, are generally recognized as the ' fertile agricultural district and population center of North Kona (Kirch 1985:166, Kelly 1983). The relatively dry Kekaha-wai-'ole (the waterless place) area of North Kona to the northeast, is characterized by coastal fishponds and barren lava inlands. ' The name of the ahupua `a, Ke-ahu-o-lu, has been translated in two ways. The first is as "the ahu of lu" (Pukui et al. 1974:101). There are no legendary accounts of a Hawaiian named Lu, but an ahu is a mound, often used as an altar, so the name could refer to "the altar of Lu." ' The name of the land has also been written as Ke`ohu'olu (Maly 1994:A-3), which means "the refreshing mists." ' There is mound -hill at Keahuolu and Kealakehe, the ahupua'a to the north, that is also associated with mists. According to the Legend of Ka-Miki, a series of stories about a supernatural hero who traveled around the Hawaiian Islands in the 13a' century: Ka-noenoe (The mist, fogginess) The mound -hill called Pu`u-o-Kaloa sits upon the plain of Kanoenoe which is associated with both Keahuolu and Kealakehe. The ' settling of mists upon Pu`u-o-Kaloa was a sign of pending rains; thus the traditional farmers of this area would prepare their fields. This plain was referenced by Pili when he described to Ka-Miki the extent of the lands which Ka-Miki would over ' see upon marrying the scared chiefess Paehala of Honokohau. The inheritance lands included everything from the uplands of Hikuhia above Napu`u and the lands of the waterless Kekaha, which spanned from the rocky plain of Kaniku t (Keahualono) to the plain of Kanoenoe at Pu`ukaloa (Ka Hoku o Hawaii 10/25/1917, as translated by Maly 1994:A-4). ' Another legendary account discusses the hill called Pu`u-o-kaloa: Pu`u-o-kaloa is a mound -bill site in the lands of Keahuolu-Kealakehe, not far from ' the shore of Kaiwi and Hi-iakanoholae. During periods of dry weather (Ka la malo`o) when planted crops, from the grassy plains to the `ama`uma`u (fern forest zone), and even the ponds (ki`o wai) were dry, people would watch this hill for ' signs of coming rains. When the lihau (light dew mists) sat atop the hill of Pu`u-o- kaloa, rains were on the way. Planters of the districts agricultural fields watched for omens at Pu`uokaloa, and it was from keen observation and diligent work that ' people prospered on the land. If a native of the land was hungry and came asking for food, the person would be asked: ' Ua ka ua i Pu `ukaloa, Thea 'oe? When rains fell at Pu`ukaloa, where were you? (If the answer was... .� 5 Historical Background I Kona nei no! In Kona (there would be no sweet potatoes for this person) ' But if the answer was: ' I Kohala nei no! In Kohala! (The person would be given food to eat for they had been away, thus unable to accomplish the planting.) (KaHoku o Hawaii 3/19/1914, as translated by ' Maly 1994:A-5) These legendary accounts emphasize the importance of rainfall in this relatively dry ' region for farmers, who were cultivating sweet potatoes and other crops on the plains of Keahuolu. ' B. Early Historic Period Early missionary residents made the first estimates of the population of the North Kona District. Asa Thurston estimated a population of not less than 20,000 people along a 30 -mile stretch of the Kona coast. These residents were clustered on the coast, but some families also lived in a habitation belt about 2 miles inland (Kelly 1983:14). A formal census was conducted in 1832, and 12,432 people were recorded for the district of Kona. By 1835, this number had ' declined to 5, 957. By 1853, the number had dropped to 2,210 (Schmitt 1973:21, 29, 31). The missionary, William Ellis (1979:32), visited the Kona area in 1825 and noted deserted villages and abandoned fields "everywhere to be met with." ' William Ellis also noted the types of agriculture practiced in the region: ' The environs were cultivated to a considerable extent: small gardens were seen among the barren rocks on which the houses were built, wherever soil could be found sufficient to nourish the sweet potato, the watermelon, or even a few plants ' of tobacco, and in many places they seemed to be growing literally in the fragments of lava, collected in small heaps around their roots (Ellis 1979:31). Few historical records can be found about the early history of Keahuolu. However, in ' 1894, the land was described thus by David Kalakaua: This land is situated in the District of North Kona, bounded by the ahupua'a of ' Lanihau (in Kailua) belonging to Prince Lunalilo on the Ka`u side, and on the Kohala side, by Kealakehe, a government land and Honokohaniki belonging to Keelikolani. Keahuolu runs clear up to the mountains and includes a portion of ' nearly one half of Hualalai mountains. On the mountains the koa, kukui and ohia abounds in vast quantities. The upper land or inland is arable, and suitable for growing coffee, oranges, taro, pototoes bananas &c. Breadfruit trees grow wild as ' well as the Koh oil seed. The lower land is adopted for grazing cattle, sheep, goats, &c. The fishery is very extensive and a fine grove of cocoanut trees of about 200 to 300 grows on the beach. The flat land near the sea beach is composed chiefly of ' lava, but herbs and shrubbery grows on it and [it is] suitable for feed of sheep and goats. It is estimated at 15,000 to 20,000 acres or more. 6 I Historical Background ' This account also shows the importance of introduced crops to the early historic economy. Some of these crops would be sold to traders to provision visiting whaling ships and ' other merchants. In 1815, a visiting ship to Kailua, the Columbia, took on board "hogs, vegetables, rope, and cloth of the country" (Corney 1896:35). In another trip to Kailua in 1817, the Columbia reported "the natives... bringing pigs, tarrow, yams, goats, plantains, rope and fruit of every description" (Corney 1896:69). C. Mid to Late 1800s In 1848, Kamehameha III authorized the Mahele (lit. division), which defined the land interests of the king, the high-ranking chiefs, and the konohiki (landlords for the chiefs). The lands awarded to the chiefs and their konohiki were known as Konohiki Lands. In 1848, four resolutions were passed to protect the rights of the kama'aina, the native tenants. The resolutions authorized the Land Commission to award fee simple title to native tenants for ' habitation and agricultural lands that were part of Crown Lands (lands reserved for the royal family), Government Lands (lands held by the government), or Konohiki Lands. The lands for the common people became known as kuleana (tenant) awards (Chinen 1958, 1961). ' At the time of the Mahele of 1848, the entire ahupua'a of Keahuola was awarded to Ane Keohokalole, who had held two walled houselots "from very ancient times" along the shore. Keohokalole was the granddaughter of Kame`eiamoku, an important chief that supported Kamehameha I, and the wife of John Kuakini, the governor of Oahu in the early 19a' century. She was also the mother of Ekamaekemeuaia (who later became King David Kalakaua), ' Kamaka`eha (who later became Queen Lydia Liliu`okalini), William Pitt Leleiohoku, and Miriam Likelike, the heir of Liliu`okalini. Ane Keohokalole later sold portions of her 15,000- 20,000 -acre grant to the government and other parties, with the remainder being passed on to her ' heir, Liliu`okalani. Emerson, a 19th century government surveyor, described the inland portion of Keahuolu (Reg. Map 1280) as "rough pahoehoe, little vegetation," similar to descriptions of the dry and barren lands of Kekaha. David Kalakaua further described these kula (plains used for dryland agriculture) lands as suitable for livestock grazing (Donham 1990a). No kuleana grants were awarded in the inland portion (lower kula zone) of Keahuolu, and there is little historic information concerning traditional Hawaiian land use in the area. However, the archaeological record suggests that dryland agriculture in areas designated grazing land was once relatively intensive. The upper kula zone was historically the primary agricultural zone of the ahupua'a. ' Many kuleana awards were claimed for this area, indicating that dryland crops were grown here. The most common crop described in the claims was taro, with coffee and potatoes also ' mentioned. During the Mahele, few of these kuleana awards were granted; instead, these lands were generally awarded to the konohiki (lower chiefs and landlords), who used the lands for livestock grazing (Kelly 1983:67). ' Emerson described the boundary between the inland and upland forested areas of Keahuolu as "lava covered with scattering forest and dense masses of ki [ti; Cordyline terminalis] root" (Kelly 1983:58). Lands below the forest edge were described as "rocks ' covered with grass" (Kelly 1983:58). Emerson estimated the forest edge boundary to be at a 750-800 ft (228-244 m) elevation above sea level in Keahuolu. on 7 Historical Background ' D. 1900's to Present ' The population of the region continued to decline until around A.D. 1890, when the population of North Kona dropped to 1,754 people. By 1900, the population had increased to 3,189 and continued to increase as people moved into the urban and subdivision lands around ' Kailua-Kona. A sisal (Agave sisilana) mill was constructed in Keahuolu sometime during the late 1890s; sisal was grown to make ropes and other fibers. The mill was located along the southern portion of the old Palani Road corridor at 130 in (428 ft) AMSL. Operating until 1924, the mill was surrounded by sisal fields that covered an area of up to 1000 acres in Keahuolu and Kealakehe Ahupua `a (Jensen 1990). An area of concentrated sisal growth was located along a section of the old Palani Road at 183 m (600 ft) AMSL, which was believed to be at too high an elevation to be associated with the mill itself, though it may have been related to sisal transport operations (Donham 1990b). The sisal mill was located 1.2 km (0.75 mi) northeast of the current ' project area. In 1909, the Liliu`okalani Trust was established to provide for children, especially orphans, of Hawaiian descent (Queen Liliu`okalani Children's Center 1981). Income was derived from real estate owned by Queen Liliu`okalini. As a result of the will of Queen Liliu`okalini, the lands of Keahuolu were placed in a trust. In the last twenty years, the trustees ' have begun to develop the Keahuolu lands to generate revenue for their programs. The area around Palani Road is now occupied with shopping malls, bookstores, business offices, and residential subdivisions. n 1 1 1 I11 1 1 1 1 1 F k I Previous Archaeological Research III. PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH Early archaeological investigations in the ahupua'a of Keahuolu were focused on coastal ceremonial and habitation sites (Stokes 1919; Reinecke 1930; Emory 1970). Later surveys also noted agricultural, marine resource collection areas, burials, and other types of features along the Keahuolu Coast (Newman 1970; Bevaqua 1972; Neighbor Island Consultants 1973; Sinoto 1975; Ching 1978; Fuke and Goldstein 1978; Estioko-Griffin and Lovelace 1980; Folk 1980; and, Neller 1980). An archaeological inventory survey for the Kuakini Highway Realignment Corridor was conducted by the Bishop Museum between 1980 and 1983 (Schilt 1984). The 4.96 km corridor crossed 26 ahupua'a, including Keahuolu at the northern end. A total of 134 sites, comprising 455 features, was recorded. Two sites were located in Keahuolu Ahupua `a (D10-23, D10-24), a cairn and a modified outcrop. Both of these sites are located 25 m west of the current project area. Schilt also noted that this area had been extensively bulldozed. Information generated from this report, along with documentary research presented by Kelly (1983), was used to generate models for the chronology and type of land use in North Kona in pre -contact through historic times. This information is summarized in the next section of this report. The first archaeological study to focus on the inland area of Keahuolu was conducted by Soehren in 1983. Soehren (1983) surveyed a 10 -acre parcel located at elevations ranging from 240-300 m (800 to 1,000 ft) AMSL. No archaeological features were found. In 1979, PHRI (Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc.) conducted a reconnaissance survey of three parcels in inland Keahuolu (Rosendahl 1979). Area 1 consisted of a 100 -acre parcel west of Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway, near the coast. Area 2 was a 100 -acre parcel, east of the highway, along the south side of Palani Road. Area 3 was a 12 -acre parcel east of the highway on the north side of Palani Road. Thirteen site/site complexes were recorded. Two large complexes and five additional sites were recorded in Area 2, and one large complex was recorded in Area 3. In 1989, an archaeological inventory survey was conducted for the proposed 950 -acre Kealakehe Planned Community (Donham 1990a). The project area was comprised of two parcels, which included all undeveloped land in Kealakehe Ahupua'a between Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway and Kealakaha Road and an adjacent 150 -acre parcel in Keahuolu Ahupua'a, bounded by Palani Road to the east. A total of 53 sites, comprised of 840 features, was located within the entire project area, but only a single platform and six terraces were recorded in the Keahuolu parcel. The most common feature types in the project area were rock mounds and pahoehoe excavations. Other common features included low -mounded walls, modified outcrops, small enclosures, and terraces. These types of features indicated that the area was a relatively intensive agriculture zone. Two radiocarbon dates, one for a habitation cave on the coast and one from an inland cave, were both dated to ca. A.D. 1430-1650. In 1989, an archaeological inventory survey was conducted for the Queen Liliu`okalani Trust Property (Donham 1990b.). The project area of this study was comprised of six adjoining parcels in Keahuolu Ahupua'a. The approximately 1,100 -acre parcel was located on the east side of Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway and included all lands between Palani Road to the south and the Keahuolu/Kealakehe boundary to the north. The eastern boundary of the inventory survey was on the western boundary of the proposed Kealakehe Planned Community project. I 11 F Previous Archaeological Research The southeast comer of this survey area is on the opposite of Palani Road to the current project area. A total of 239 sites, including 1,810 features, was located with in the project area. The most common features types were modified blisters, modified outcrops and pahoehoe excavation features. Other common features included terraces, platforms and small enclosures. Agricultural features accounted for 90% of all identified features. In 1990, an archaeological inventory survey was conducted by PHRI for the proposed Palani Road Improvement Project (Jensen 1990). The project area was a linear corridor, 15 m (50 ft) wide, extending from elevations of 50 to 195 m (160 to 580 ft) AMSL The corridor is adjacent to the eastern side of Palani Road, and the southern end of this corridor is approximately 100 in (328 ft) north of the present project area. A total of 32 sites, with 44 features, was located within the project area. The most common feature types were walls, mounds, and modified outcrops. Other common features included terraces, caves, and enclosures. Four radiocarbon dates were determined for feature, which ranged from A.D. 1400-1640 to the present. In 1993, PHRI (Goodfellow and Walker 1993) conducted a field inspection of a corridor for the Palani Road Turning Lane. This project area is 200 in due west of the current project area, on the opposite side of Palani Road. Seventeen sites were recorded in the project area Two of these sites were close to the area of construction impact, and it was decided to test the features to determine their significance (O'Hare and Franklin 1994). One feature contained a burial; it was left in place and a buffer zone was placed around the feature. Two radiocarbon dates were determined, A.D. 1410-1955 for AD 1440-1955, for two agricultural features. In 1994, PHRI (Jensen and Head 1995) surveyed two 2.45 -acre parcels for the proposed ' Keahuolu Reservoir. Two field inspections have been carried out in the project area previously (Rosendahl 1993a; Walker 1994). The project area ranged in elevation from 509 to 524 in (1,670 to 1,720) ft AMSL Five sites with 31 component features were recorded. The majority of ' the features was determined to part of the Kona Field System and represented agricultural features or temporary field shelters adjacent to agricultural areas. In 1994, PHRI (Wulzen et al. 1996) conducted an archaeological inventory survey of the Henry Street Extension, a road corridor approximately 400 in east of the present project area, on the south side of Palani Road at elevations of 70 to 85 in (230 to 280 ft) AMSL. Six sites previously identified during a field inspection of the project area (Rosendahl 1993b) and one newly identified site were recorded. Three of the sites were walls, not built at the same time, but ultimately connected with the Great Wall of Kuakini to form a polygon, which was probably used to enclose cattle. Additional subsurface excavations were conducted at one platform in the project area in 1994 by PHRI (Wulzen and Wolforth 1997). The platform was determined to have been used for temporary habitation. A radiocarbon date of A. D 1650-1955 was determined for the feature. In 1997 and 1998, PHRI (Henry et al. 1998) conducted an archaeological inventory survey of a 60 -acre parcel, adjacent to the south side of Palani Road, from elevations of 48 to 134 m (160 to 440 ft) AMSL: The west end of the corridor is just 100 in northeast of the current project area. The project area encompassed portions of previous PHRI project areas (Jensen 1990; Wulzen et al. 1996). Thirty-five sites were relocated or newly identified in the parcel. One agricultural feature was radiocarbon dated to A.D. 1410-1665, indicating the first use of this area during the pre -contact period. Two agricultural and two habitation features were dated to between A. D. 1635 and 1935. Previous Archaeological Research Data recovery was conducted by PHRI (Corbin 2001) in Block C in 1994, a 400 by 400 ft study block located within the Queen Liliuokalani Trust Lands first surveyed in 1989 (Donham 1990b). Sixteen test units were excavated at two sites. Three features were dated to A.D. 1400- 1600, A.D. 1490-1900, and A.D. 1660-1950. This area is directly east of a K -Mart on Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway and is 900 m northwest of the current project area. In 2002, an archaeological assessment was conducted for the proposed Kealaka`a Street Realignment Project (Tulchin 2002). The project area of this study consisted of a 213 m long by 31 m wide proposed extension to Kealaka`a Street on the northern boundary of Keahuolu Ahupua'a. The project area is 1.22 Ian (0.76 mi) north of the present project area. Three sites originally identified by Donham (1990a), consisting of a kerbstone trail, an historic roadbed, and a wall, were relocated. Previous Archaeological Research Table 1 Previous Archaeological Investigations Within Inland Keahuolu Ahupua`a REFERENCE LOCATION DESCRIPTION AND RESULTS Schilt 1984 Kuakini Highway Archaeological Study: A total of 134 sites were found in the road Realignment Project - 26 corridor; two sites, a cairn and a modified outcrop, were recorded Ahupua'a in Kona in Keahuolu. Soehren 1983 10 acre parcel in Lanihau and No archaeological features found in a 10 -acre parcel at elevations KeahuoluAhupua'a of 240-300 m (800-1000 ft). Rosendahl 1979 Three parcels in Keahuolu Reconnaissance Survey: Eight sites were recorded. Ahupua'a Donham 1989a,b Kealakehe Planned Archaeological Inventory Survey: 840 features were recorded; Community, Kealakehe and density and type of features were noted in three elevation intervals. Keahuolu Ahupua `a Donham 1990c Queen Liliu`okalani Trust Archaeological Inventory Survey: 239 sites, comprising 1,810 Property, KeahuoliiAhupua'a features were recorded. Distributional patterns similar to those found at the Kealakehe Planned Community area were noted. Jensen 1990 Palani Road Improvement Archaeological Inventory Survey: 32 sites were recorded and four Project, Keahuolu Ahupua `a radiocarbon dates ranging from A.D. 1400-1640 to the present were determined Goodfellow and Walker 1993 Queen Liliu`okalani Trust Field Inspection: Seventeen sites were recorded. O'Hare and Franklin 1994 Lands Palani Road Turning Data Recovery: Two sites, which were in danger of damage during Lane, Keahuolu Ahupua'a construction of the Palani Turning Lane were tested. A human burial was found in one feature. Two radiocarbon dates, both ranging from about 1410-1955, were determined for an agricultural terrace. . 12 Previous Archaeological Research REFERENCE LOCATION DESCRIPTION AND RESULTS Rosendahl 1993a Keahuoln Reservoir Site, Two Field Inspections and a subsequent Archaeological Inventory Keahu`olu Ahupua `a Survey: Five sites with 31 component features were recorded in Walker 1994 two parcels in elevations from 509-52m m AMSL. The majority Jensen and Head 1995 of the sites were determined to be agricultural features associated with the Kona Field System. Rosendahl 1993b Henry Street Extension, Field Inspection, Archaeological Inventory Survey, and Additional Wulzen et al. 1996 Keahuolu and Lanihau Testing were conducted at a road corridor. Seven sites were Ahupua'a identified; four were connected and were related to cattle ranching Wulzen and Wolforth 1997 in the historic period. One tested temporary habitation platform was dated to A. D. 1650-1955. Henry et al. 1998 Palani Road Corridor, Archaeological Inventory Survey: Thirty-five sites were relocated Keahuolu Ahupua `a or newly identified. Radiocarbon dates for five features were determined, which suggested an initial use of the area for agriculture in A. D. 1410 to 1665. Corbin 2001 QLT Lands Block C, Keahuolu Ahupua 'a Tulchin 2002 Kealaka`a Street Realignment Archaeological Assessment: Three sites, previously identified Project, Keahuolu Ahupua'a sites, previously recorded by Donham (1989a,b) were relocated. 13 Settlement Patterns IV. SETTLEMENT PATTERNS ' A. Chronology of Land Use Schilt (1984:276-283) proposed a chronology for land -use in North Kona from the pre - contact to modem times. Her chronology was based on five phases: Phase I (ca. A.D. 1050-1400) constitutes the initial settlement of the North Kona area, ' with habitations clustered along the coast. By the end of this phase, there is some exploitation of the upland areas for agriculture and the kula (plain) areas for temporary habitation. ' In Phase II (ca. A.D. 1400-1650), small seasonal gardens were established in the kula zone and agriculture in the upland areas was intensified. Since Keahuolu is at the transition line to the dryer, and less agriculturally productive Kekaha region of Kona, it was probably utilized ' later than the wetter, more productive areas of Kona to the northeast. Schilt suggested that utilization of the kula zone for agriculture in Keahuolu did not occur until ca. A.D. 1550-1650. Permanent habitation was still concentrated along the coast during this phase, but caves in the kula zone were occasionally used for temporary habitation. In Phase III (ca. A.D. 1600-1778), gardening intensified in both the kula and upland region. This phase marks the beginning of temporary habitation structures built next to 1 agricultural areas on the upper slopes of the kula. The extensive agricultural fields of the "Kona Field System" were well established in this phase. ' Phase W (ca. A.D. 1779-1850), marks the early post -contact period, when European contact produced a limited number of changes in the traditional Hawaiian lifestyle. Some of these changes would be the introduction of new crops, such as watermelon, pineapples, melons, ' and tobacco (Ellis 1979:31; Wilkes 1845:91-92). This phase also marks the first time that the kula was used for permanent habitation. In Phase V (ca. A. D 1850 -modem times), the kula lands, now owned by the chiefs and ' konohiki, were used mainly for cattle, goat and sheep grazing. Ranches and associated habitations were located in the kula zone. ' B. Land -Use Zones The ahupua'a of Keahuolu covers 2.3 km (kilometers) or 1.4 mi (miles), of coastline from Kaiwi Point to the south end of Old Kona Airport runway and extends 11.0 km (6.8 mi) inland along the north boundary and 9.5 km (5.9 mi) inland on the south boundary. Historical research on land use in North Kona has developed a general pattern of agricultural and habitation ' use of the area. The agricultural system is known as the Kona Field System, a series of cultivated fields with stone wall boundaries oriented perpendicular to the coastline. This system was described as: ' ...the whole Kona System is well designed to take advantage of the western Hawaii Island environment. The orientation maximizes the available sunlight and exposure ' to periodic rain showers. The alignment would have made the crops susceptible to high velocity trade winds were it not for the protection of Mauna Loa. Onshore winds are generally light so physical damage of excessive plant evapotranspiration ' would not have been a crucial factor in field alignment (Newman 1970:56-59). 14 Settlement Patterns ' The field system also established certain zones of specific agriculture with supporting ' habitation dwellings extended mauka from the shoreline (west to east) up the mountain. As elevation and rainfall increased up the slope, distinct agriculture zones became apparent. The following subzone classifications are based on Schilt's (Kelly, 1983) compiled data: ' Kula Subzone/Coastal Area Location: Shoreline to 4.5 km inland Elevation: Sea level to 150 m (500 ft) ' Annual Rainfall: 0.8-1.2 mm (30-50 in) Late Pre -contact crops: sweet potatoes (`uala; Ipomoea batatas), gourd (ipu; Lagenaria siceraria), and wauke (Broussonetia papyrifera) ' Kalu'ulu Subzone/Seaward Slope Location: 4.5 to 6.0 km inland ' Elevation: 150-300 m (500-1000 ft) Annual Rainfall: 1.00-1.35 turn (40-55 in) Late Pre -contact Crops: breadfruit ('ulu; Artocarpus communis), with sweet ' potatoes and wauke interspersed; mountain apple (`ohi `a 'ai; Eugenia malaccensis) and some taro (kalo; Colocasia sp.) 'Apa 'a Subzone/Upland Slope ' Location: 7.0 to 9.5 km inland Elevation: 300-750 to (1000-2500 ft) Annual Rainfall: 1.35-2.00 nun (55-80 in) ' Late Pre -contact crops: taro, sweet potatoes, ti (ki; Cordyline terminalis), and sugarcane (ko; Saccharum ofcinarum). ' Ama'u Subzone/Upland Jungle Location: 9.5 to 11 km inland Elevation: 750-1,200 m (2,500-4,000 ft) ' Annual Rainfall: ca. 80 in. (2.0 mm) Late Pre -contact Crops: bananas (mai'a; Musa sp.) and plantains (lau-kahi; Plantago sp.) and `ama `u (Sadleria sp.) ferns tC. Predictive Model The current project area is 0.45 km from the shore, at an elevation of 45 to 55 m (147.58 ' to 181.61 ft) AMSL. It therefore lies within the lower portion of the kula zone. According to Schilt (1984), the kula zone in Keahuoln was probably not used for agriculture until about A.D. ' 1550-1650, although caves in the area could have been used for temporary habitation before this time. Permanent habitations would probably not be found in this area before the early post - contact period. Agricultural mounds, terraces, and walls, all features typical for the Kona Field ' System, would be expected to be dominant in this area. Temporary habitation features, associated with agricultural complexes, would also be expected in the project area, possibly dated to A.D. 1600-1778. Ranching features would be associated with post -contact use of the ' area. Finally, it is expected that the remaining features in the kula area of Keahuolu represent only a small portion of the pre -contact and early post -contact features that once dotted the landscape. As early as the 1980s, Schilt (1984) noted the extensive bulldozing in this portion of ' the ahupua'a., which has altered the landscape and destroyed many of the former features. I 1 1 Survey Results V. SURVEY RESULTS Two archaeologists from Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc, Steven Rohrer, B.S. and David Perzinski, B.S., under overall direction of Hallett H. Hammatt, Ph.D., carried out an archaeological inventory survey on March 26h and 27`s, 2003 of the project area. During pedestrian transects of the project area, one new site, Site 50-10-28-23,798, with three features was located and flagged (Figure 3). Feature A, located in the northwest comer of the project area, consists of a faced platform and adjoining terrace constructed of large pahoehoe boulders. Feature B is a modified pahoehoe bedrock outcrop, approximately 27 in (90 ft) southeast of Feature A. Feature C is a second modified pahoehoe outcrop, 24 in (80 ft) south of Feature B. A description of the site is provided below. Modern trash is present in varying amounts throughout the project area. It is heaviest in the cleared portion in the center of the project area. ' SITE NO.: 50-10-28-23,798 SITE TYPE: Complex (3 Features) ' TOPOGRAPHY: Undulating pahoehoe flow sloping to the southwest CONDITION: Good to Poor INTEGRITY: Altered ' PROBABLE AGE: Pre -contact FUNCTION: Agriculture and Habitation DESCRIPTION: The features identified and recorded at this site include a faced platform with ' an adjoining terrace (Feature A) and two modified outcrops (Features B and Q. FEATURE A: Platform with adjoining Terrace (Figures 4 and 5) ' DIMENSIONS: 4.2 in by 5.8 in (24.36 ml) FUNCTON: Habitation DESCRIPTION: Feature A is a platform with an adjoining lower terrace. The feature is built on ground that slopes to the southwest. The platform is 3.2 in long and 2.2 in wide, with walls 0.7 in high on the northeast, upslope side and 1.4 in high on the southwest, downslope side. It is roughly rectangular with squared corners. The walls are t constructed of large angular pahoehoe boulders up to 40 cm in diameter. The surface of the platform is 7.05 m= and is roughly level. The west side and the northwest comer are ' faced. The interior of the platform slopes slightly to the southwest and is paved with pahoehoe cobbles, 10-15 cm in diameter. It has collapsed in a few places. On the western edge of the top of the platform is a depression, approximately 1.5 in in diameter ' and 25-35 cm deep. The lower terrace is approximately I in wide, constructed of 40 cm+ pahoehoe blocks. The terrace retaining wall, which is 0.3 in high on the upslope side and 0.85 in high on the downslope side, has 2-6 courses of rock. The feature is built on an ' exposed pahoehoe outcrop. No surface midden, artifacts coral, or other cultural material was observed on or around the platform or terrace. TESTING RESULTS: A 2.0 by 1.0 in test unit (Figure 6) was excavated in the southwest ' comer of the platform, placed over the 1.5 in diameter depression. The upper 50 cm was composed of pahoehoe cobbles and boulders, 20 to 30 cm in diameter. Stratum I (50-100 1 A 16 Survey Results Figure 3 Tax Map Key 3-7-08:20, Showing Location of Site 50-10-28-23,798, Features A, B and C 17 TOMLL ; ASSOCIATES. � , zjFeature C03 Figure 3 Tax Map Key 3-7-08:20, Showing Location of Site 50-10-28-23,798, Features A, B and C 17 TN 0 1 2m KEY ORock = Bedrock Facing \\ Cobble ( ) cm Figure 4 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature A, Plan View W! Survey Results r, V' AI es- �r 1 Y ti \ Survey Results ' cm below the surface of the platform) consisted of a layer of dark yellowish brown (10 ' YR 4/4) silty loam, with a weak, fine granular structure, loose consistence when dry and non -plastic when wet, with abundant fine to medium roots. The unit terminated on pahoehoe bedrock. A total of 5.7 g of charcoal and 0.3 grams of unidentified fish bone was recovered from Stratum I. INTERPRETATION: The effort taken to form a level, paved surface on the top of the platform suggests that this feature was probably used as a foundation for a temporary habitation ' structure, used in the pre -contact or early historic period. FEATURE B: Modified Pahoehoe Outcrop (Figures 7-8) DIMENSIONS: 6 in by 9 in (54 m') FUNCTION: Agriculture DESCRIPTION: Feature B is a diamond-shaped, modified pahoehoe outcrop. Stacked angular ' pahoehoe blocks, up to 40 cm. in diameter, delineate the perimeter. The blocks are stacked up to 1 in high and parts of the western are faced. There is exposed bedrock in the center of the feature, with a small adjoining puka (hole), 60 cm deep, southwest of the ' outcrop exposure. The interior of the feature is uneven and is filled with pahoehoe cobbles 20 cm or larger in diameter. No midden or traditional artifacts were encountered on or around this feature, but modern trash is strewn around the site. TESTING RESULTS: A 1.0 by 1.0 in test unit (Figure 9) was excavated on the western faced portion of the feature. The upper 75 cin was composed of large cobbles and boulders, 40 to 75 cm in diameter. Stratum I (75-110 cm below the surface of the platform) was a ' dark, yellowish brown (10 YR 4/4) silt loam with a weak, fine granular structure, loose when dry and non -plastic when wet, with abundant fine to medium roots. A small amount of charcoal (0.1 grams), kukui endocarp fragments (5.3 grams), unidentified ' bivalve fragment (0.2 grams), and unidentified marine shell (1.5 grams) was recovered from Stratum I. Two volcanic glass flakes were also recovered from Stratum I, at 80-90 cm below the outcrop surface. The unit terminated on pahoehoe bedrock. ' INTERPRETATION: The irregular outline of the feature and the uneven surface of the outcrop suggest that this feature was not used for habitation. The morphology of the feature is similar to other agricultural features in the area. It could also have been used as ' a temporary work area to make or maintain volcanic glass tools. FEATURE C: Modified Pahoehoe Outcrop (Figures 10-12) ' FUNCTION: Agriculture DEMENSIONS: 5 in by 3.5 in (I 7.5m') DESCRIPTION: Feature C is a roughly oval, modified pahoehoe outcrop. The exterior of the ' feature is constructed of angular, pahoehoe blocks, 60 crrt in diameter, stacked three courses high. The wall at the southwest corner is faced and is 1.1 in high. Between the faced wall and the outcrop is an approximately 1 in wide area filled with small cobbles. ' One broken grinding stone, approximately 6 cm by 10 cm in size, was found on the surface of the cobble -filled area. No other midden or artifacts were encountered on or around the feature. INTERPRETATION: The irregular shape of this feature and the uneven surface suggests that this feature was not used for habitation. It is more likely that this feature was used as planting area for dryland crops. The general area may also have been occasionally used ' as a workshop area, to make or maintain tools. ■ 20 Survey Results KEY Rock TN 0 1 2m Cobble cm 0 (oSlope F/ 0 11 �� O, n L i Puka 60cmbs b ii i (65) °• a J (25) l\ (65) o it Figure 7 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature B, Plan View 21 O `4 Bedrock Facing \\ ( ) —� °_ ` i -� i♦� ,,.ts:.f�il t�( 3q..^y��� �:,^ r .,,.,l f ` k �' i i / �; fit 1 � � 7 _ tG I R,� i /{1r\.tYj1yl`trj 2f 1 1 1 1 1 Survey Results N O KEY Bedrock Rock \\ Cobble ( ) - cm —� Slope TN 0 1 2m 'o e -, o c - CD Ln o J „ i � 4 %s 6/ Ln v (58) O Bedrock Facing \\ Cobble ( ) - cm —� Slope Figure 10 Site 50-10-28-23,798, Feature C, Plan View all)- { VIA -I'Ll N5-5 r f I 1 Summary and Recommendations VI. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS An archaeological inventory survey was conducted by two CSH archaeologists in support of Verizon Hawai`i's Kona Office Subdivision Project. One site, with three component features was identified within the 2.82 -acre lot. Site 50-10-28-23,798 consisted of Feature A, a platform with an adjoining terrace and Features B and C, two modified outcrops. Each feature was documented with photographs and scale drawings; test units were excavated in Features A and B, and profiles were made of the two test units. No additional sites or features were observed during the inventory survey, and no further data collection is recommended for this project area. This site is considered significant as it "has yielded or is likely to yield, information important for research on prehistory of history" under Criterion D of "Rules Governing Procedures for Historic Preservation Review (DLNR 1996:Chap 275). The three features have ' been adequately recorded and tested, thus no further archaeological work is recommended for the site at this time. It is recommended that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A, due to the slight possibility that it contains a ' burial in the unexcavated portion. While the likelihood of encountering human remains or other significant cultural deposits is regarded as exceedingly low, if, in the unlikely event such deposits are encountered, all subsurface work in the immediate vicinity should immediately ' cease, and the State Historic Preservation Division should be promptly notified. 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 75 ' Bibliography VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY ' Armstrong, R. W. (editor) 1983 Atlas of Hawaii. 2"d edition. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, HI. t Bevacqua, R. F. 1972 Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of a Portion of Keahuolu, Kona, Hawaii Island. Letter Report, Department of Anthropology, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, ' Honolulu, HI. Chinen, J.J. 1958 The Great Mahele: Hawaii's Land Division of 1848. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, HI. 1961 Original Land Titles in Hawaii. Privately published, Honolulu, HI. ' Ching, F. K. W. 1978 Archaeological Reconnaissance ofLiluokalani Lands, Keahuolu, Kona, Hawaii. Report 14-1391. Archaeological Research Center Hawaii, Inc. ' Corbin, Alan B. 2001 Phased Archaeological Mitigation Program. Phase II: Archaeological Data ' Recovery, Block C, Queen Liliuokalani Trust Property, Land of Keahuolu, North Kona District, Island ofHawai'i (TMK.• 37-04-08:Por. 2,12). Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., Hilo, HI. ' Corney, Peter 1896 Voyages in the Northern Pacific. T. G. Thrum, Honolulu, HI. Donham, Theresa K. 1990a Archaeological Inventory Survey, Queen Liliuokalani Trust Property, Land of Keahuolu, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii. Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., ' Hilo, HI. 1990b Archaeological Inventory Survey, Kealakehe Planned Community Project Area, Land of Kealakehe and Keahuolu, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii. Paul H. ' Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., Hilo, HI. Ellis, William 1976 Journal of William Ellis. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Rutland and Tokyo. Emory, Kenneth P. ' 1970 Inventory of Archaeological and Historical Sites in the Districts of Kona and Ka'u and in Anaehoomalu, South Kohala, Island of Hawaii. Report 70-12. Department of Anthropology, Bernice P. Bishop Museum Report 61-1 (Reprinted ' 1971). Estioko-Griffin, A., and G.W. Lovelace 1980 Archaeological Reconnaissance of Old Kona Airport State Park, Kailua-Kona, ' Island of Hawaii. TMK 75-05:7. Historic Sites Section, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Honolulu, HI. in 26 U Bibliography Folk, W. H. 1980 Archaeological Survey and Selective Subsurface Testing of Liliuokalani Trust Lands, Keahuolu, Kona, Hawaii Island. Report 14-1398 II. Archaeological Research Center Hawaii. Fuke, S., and V. Goldstein 1980 Letter Report to SHPDIDLNR regarding the Old Kona Airport State Park. Historic Sites Section, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii. Goodfellow, Susan T., and Alan T. Walker 1993 Archeological Field Inspection, Palani Road Turing Lane, Land of Keahuolu, North Kona District, Island ofHawai'i. Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., Hilo, HI. Henry, Jack D., Thomas R. Wolforth, and Alan E. Haun 1998 Archaeolgical Inventory Survey 60 -Acre Agricultural Zoned WLT Parcel, Keahuolu Ahupua`a, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii (TMK: 3-7-04- 08:Por.1) ' Jensen, Peter M. 1990 Archaeological Inventory Survey, Palani Road Improvements Project, Land of Keahuolu, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii. Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., Hilo, HI. Jensen, Peter M., and James Head ' 1995 Archaeological Inventory Survey, Queen Liliuokalani Trust, Keahuolu Reservoir Site, Land of Keahuolu, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii (TMK: 3-7-4- 02:6). Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., Hilo, HI ' Kelly, Marion 1983 Na Mala o Kona: Gardens of Kona. A History of Land Use in Kona, Hawaii. ' Department of Anthropology, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI. Kirch, Patrick V. 1985 Feathered Gods and Fishhooks, An Introduction to Hawaiian Archaeology and ' Prehistory. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, HI. Macdonald, G.A., A.T. Abbott, and F.L. Peterson ' 1983 Volcanoes in the Sea. The Geology of Hawaii. 2nd edition. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, HI. Maly, Kepa ' 1994 Historical Documentary Research, Appendix A in Archaeological Inventory Survey, Sites 19762 and 19763, Queen Liliuokalani Trust, Keahuolu Lands, Land of Keahuolu, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii. Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., tInc., Hilo, HI. Neighbor Island Consultants ' 1973 An Assessment of Environmental Impact Resulting from the Development of Kailua Park, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Prepared for the County of Hawaii. I 77 ' Sinoto, A. 1975 Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of a Proposed Access Road Corridor at Keahuolu, Island of Hawaii. Ms. 060575. Department of Anthropology, ' Department of Anthropology, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI. � ,Q Bibliography ' Neller, Earl 1980 Archeological Reconnaissance at the Old Kona Airport Beach Park, Keahuolu ' and Lanihau, Kona, Hawaii. Historic Sites Section, Division of State Parks, Department Land and Natural Resources. Newman, T. Stell 1970 Report on Reconnaissance at Old Kona Airport. Letter on file, Historic Sites Section, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State of Hawaii. ' O'Hare, Constance R., and Leta J. Franklin 1994 Archaeological Inventory Survey, Sites 19762 and 19763, Queen Liliuokalani Trust, Keahuolu Lands, Land of Keahuolu, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii. Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., Hilo, HI. Pukui, M. K., S. H. Elbert, and E. T. Mo`okini 1974 Honolulu, H Place Names ofHawai'i. University Press of Hawaii,I. Reinecke, J. E. 1930 Survey of Hawaiian Sites. Manuscript, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI. Rosendahl, Paul 1979 Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of Certain Liliuokalani Trust Properties (TMK:3-7-4-08:Por.1,Por.2,Por.12). Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii. Paul H. ' Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., Hilo, HI. 1993a Archaeological Field Inspection, Queen Liliuokalani Trust — Keahuolu Well Site, Land of Keahuolu, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii. Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., Hilo, HI. 1993b Archaeological Field Inspection, Proposed Henry Street Extension, Lands of Keahuolu and Lanihau, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii. Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., Hilo, HI. Sato, H. H., W. Ideda, R. Paeth, R. Smythe, and M. Takehiro, Jr. 1973 Soil Survey of Island of Hawaii, State of Hawaii. U.S. Department of Agriculture-Soil Conservation Service and University of Hawaii Agriculture t Experiment Station. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. Schilt, Rose 1984 Subsistence and Conflict in Kona, Hawaii. An Archaeological Study of the ' Kuakini Highway Realignment Corridor. Report 84-1. Department of Anthropology, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI. ' Schmitt, R.C. 1973 The Missionary Censuses of Hawaii. Pacific Anthropological Records No. 2, Department of Anthropology, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI. t 1977 Historical Statistics of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, HI. ' Sinoto, A. 1975 Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of a Proposed Access Road Corridor at Keahuolu, Island of Hawaii. Ms. 060575. Department of Anthropology, ' Department of Anthropology, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI. � ,Q Bibliography ' Soehren, L. J. 1983 Letter Report on a Ten -Acre Parcel on a Proposed Addition to Liliuokalani t Village, Keahuolu, North Kona, Hawaii. Prepared for Affordable Homes on Hawaii. ' Stokes, J. F. G. and T. Dye 1991 Heiau of the Island ofHawai'i. B. P. Bishop Museum Bulletin in Anthropology 2. Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI. 1 1 1 1 Tulchin, Todd, and Hallett H. Hammatt 2002 Archaeological Assessment in Support of the Proposed Kealaka'a Street Realignment Project, Keahuolu Ahupua'a, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii (TMK.• 7-4-8:65). Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc., Kailua, HI. Walker, Alan T. 1994 Archaeological Field Inspection, Queen Liliuokalani Trust — Keahuolu Reservoir Site, Land of Keahuolu, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii. Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., Hilo, HI. Wilkes, C. 1845 Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition During the Years 1838-1842, Vol. 4. Under the Command of C. Wilkes, U.S.N. Loa and Blanchard, Philadelphia, PA. Wulzen, Warren and Thomas R. Wolforth 1997 Archaeological Inventory Survey, Proposed Henry Street Extension Road Corridor: Additional Subsurface Testing at Site 50-10-28-19486, Land of Keahuolu, North Kona District, Island ofHawai'i (TMK: 3-7-4-08: Por. 1). Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc., Hilo, HI. Wulzen, Warren, Thomas R. Wolforth, and Leta J. Franklin 1996 Archaeological Inventory Survey, Proposed Corridor, Lands of Keahuolu and Lanihau, Hawaii (TMK: 3-7-4-08: Por. 1; 3-7-5-03:Por. Inc., Hilo, HI. ?9 Henry Street Extension Road North Kona District, Island of 21). Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., BOTANICAL SURVEY VERIZON HAWAII INC. SUBDIVISION PROJECT KAILUA-KONA, NORTH KONA DISTRICT, HAWAII by Winona P. Char CHAR & ASSOCIATES Botanical Consultants Honolulu, Hawaii Prepared for: BLU CROIX, LTD. May 2003 BOTANICAL SURVEY VERIZON HAWAII INC. SUBDIVISION PROJECT KAILUA-KONA, NORTH KONA DISTRICT, HAWAII INTRODUCTION The 2.82 -acre lot (TMK:(3)-7-4-08:020) is bounded by Palani Road to the west, a fire station and undeveloped lands to the north, Wal-Mart to the east, and an undeveloped lot (Lot 021) which adjoins Queen Ka'ahumi.nu Highway to the south. The property is owned by Verizon Hawaii Inc. (Verizon) and Verizon's Kona Central Office building is located on the front half of the property facing Palani Road. The back portion of the parcel is undeveloped and surplus. Verizon is planning to start the process to change the property's State Land Use designation and County zoning designation, and then it will subdivide and sell off the back portion of the property. The vegetation on the undeveloped back portion of the property consists of koa haole scrub with scattered kiawe trees. Soils on the parcel are mapped as Punaluu extremely rocky peat, 6 to 20 percent slopes; "rPYO" on the soil maps (Sato et al. 1973). These are well -drained, thin organic soils over pahoehoe lava bedrock. Plant roots are often matted over the pahoehoe. Rock outcrops occupy 40 to 50 percent of the surface. Field studies to assess the botanical resources on the area to be sold were conducted on 17 April 2003. The primary objectives of the field survey were to: (1) provide a general description of the vegetation; (2) inventory the flora; (3) search for threatened and endangered species as well as species of concern; and (4) identify areas of potential environmental problems or concerns and propose appropriate mitigation measures. SURVEY METHODS Prior to undertaking the field studies, a search was made of the pertinent literature to familiarize the principal investigator with other botanical studies conducted in the general area. Topographic maps and a colored aerial photograph were examined to determine vegetation cover pattarns, terrain characteristics, access, boundaries, and reference points. In the field, a walk-through survey method was used. Notes were male on plant associations and distibution, substrate types, disturbances, topography, exposure, drainage, etc. Plant identifications were made in the field; plants which could not be positively determined were collected for later determination in the herbarium, and for comparison with .he most recent taxonomic literature. DESCRIPTION OF THE VEGETATION The plant names used in this report follow Wagner et al. (1990) and Wagner and Herbst (1999). The few recent name changes are those reported in the Hawaii Biological Survey series (Evenhuis and Eldredge, editors, 1)99- 2002). A list of all the plants inventoried on the undeveloped porion of the property is presented in the checklist at the end of this raport. Vegetation on the undeveloped portion of the property consists of I:oa haole shrubs (Leucaena leucocephala), 5 to 12 ft. tall, and scattered kiawe trees (Prosopisalp lids), 7 to 20 ft. tall. Other woody components are found in smaller numbers and occur as scattered individuals or small patches. These include shrubs of lantana (Lantana camara), hairy al)utilon 2 (Abutilon grandifolium), and indigo (Indigofera suffruticosa); and young trees of African tulip (Spathodea campanulata), autograph tree Clusia rosea), and kolomona (Senna surattensis). Ground cover is denser along the lower section of the undeveloped portion. This area has been bulldozed in the past and the pahoehoe substrate broken into smaller pieces with large pockets of soil. Guinea grass (Panic:um maximum), 2 to 3 ft. tall, and fameflower (Talinum fruticosum), a !succulent member of the purslane family with bright yellow flowers, are abundant; in some places these plants make up 80 to 90 percent of the ground coyer. Other grasses, herbs, and subshrubs observed include Natal redtop clrass (Melinis re ens), swollen fingergrass (Chloris barbata), garden spurge (Chamaesyce hirta), Boerhavia coccinea, false mallow (Malvastrum coromandelianum), fuzzy rattlepod.(Cretalaria incana), 'uhaloa (Waltheria indica), barleria (Barleria cristata), and partridge pea (Chamaecrista nictitans). A few vines of ivy gourd (Cocciniarg andis), wild bittermelon (Momordica charantia), and field bindweed (Ipomoea obscura) can be found climbing over the woody components. A few clumps of fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) are associated with the pahoehoe outcrops. On the upper (northern) portion of the undeveloped parcel, pahoehoe outcrops occupy 50 percent of the surface and the vegetation cover is more cr less restricted to the low lying areas with shallow pockets of soil. In this area, fameflower is abundant and 'uhaloa is common. The undeveloped portion of the property has been disturbed several times in the past. As noted earlier, the lower section has been bulldozed. Throughout the site there are piles of trash -- cans, plastic bottles, rugs, a cooler, etc. The employees at the Verizon building informed me that there were people "camping" on this part of the property at one tine. There is also evidence of somewhat recent fires, i.e., standing dead and charred kiawe trees and koa haole shrubs. 3 DISCUSSION The vegetation on the undeveloped portion of the Verizon property is dominated by introduced or alien species such as koa haole, kiawe, Guinea grass, fameflower, etc. Introduced or alien species are all those plants which were brought to the islands by humans, intentionally or accidentally, after Western.contact, that is, Cook's arrival in the Hawaiian Islands in 1778. A total of 27 species were inventoried on the project site. Jnly one species, the 'uhaloa (Waltheria indica), is considered a native species; it is indigenous, that is, it is native to the Hawaiian Islands and elsewhere. The vegetation has also been disturbed in the past by bulldozing and wildlfires. There is very little of botanical interest or concern in the property. None of the plants found during the field studies is a threatened and endangered species or a species of concern (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1999a, 1999b; Wagner et al. 1999). Surveys of two, nearby, large parcel (Char 1998, 2001) located north of the Verizon property also recoried similar findings. Vegetation on these parcels consisted of koa haole scrub with kiawe trees and Guinea grass ground cover. Seven indigeious species: 'uhaloa, alahe'e (Psydrax odoratum), 'ilie'e (Plumbago zevlanica), koali 'awa (Ipomoea indica), alena (Boerhavia re ens), 'ilima (Sida fallax) and 'ala'ala wai nui (Peperomia blanda var. floribunia); and one endemic species, kauna'oa (Cuscuta sandwichiana), were recorded from the two parcels. An endemic species is native only to the Hawaiian islands. None of these plants is a threatened and endangered speci,:s or a species of concern. All of them can be found in similar lowland, d•y habitats throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. Given these findings, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant negative impact on the botanical resources. There are no botanical reasons to impose any restrictions, conditions, or imped ments to the project. 4 LITERATURE CITED Char, W.P. (Char & Associates). 2001. Botanical resources assessment study, 13.92 acres at TMK:(3)7-5-03:27, Kailua-Kona, North Kona ]istrict, Hawai'i. Prepared for Sidney Fuke, Planning Consultant. October 2001. Char, W.P. (Char & Associates). 1998. Botanical survey, QLT Keahjolu Lands: 39.9 -acre site, Kailua-Kona, North Kona District, Hawaii. Prepared for Belt Collins Hawaii. September 1998. Evenhuis, N.L. and L.G. Eldredge, editors. 1999-7002. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers Nos. 53-70. Sato, H.H., W. Ikeda, R. Paeth, R. Smythe, and M. Takehiro, Jr. 1373. Soil survey of the island of Hawaii, State of Hawaii. Soil Conse^vation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999a. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Se -vice species list, plants March 23, 1999, Pacific Islands Office, Honolulu, HI. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999b. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. 50 CFR 17.11 and 17.12. December 31, 1999. Wagner, W.L., M.M. Bruegmann, D.R. Herbst, and J. Q.C. Lau. 1999. Hawaiian vascular plants at risk: 1999. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers No. 60. Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst, and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the 'lowering plants of Hawaii. 2 vols. University of Hawai'i Press and Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. Bishop Museum Special Publication 83. Wagner, W.L. and D.R. Herbst. 1999. Supplement to the Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii, pp. 1855-1918. In: Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst, and S.H. Sohmer, Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Revised edition. 2 vols. University of Hawai'i Press and Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. kq PLANT SPECIES LIST -- Verizon Subdivision Project The following checklist is an inventory of all the plants observed on the undeveloped portions of the Verizon property (TMK:(3)7-4-08:020). "he plant names are arranged alphabetically by families and then by species into each of two groups: Dicots and Monocots. The taxonomy and nomfmclature of the flowering plants follow Wagner et al. (1990) and Wagner and Herbst (1999). The few recent name changes are those reported in the Hawa'i Biological Survey series (Evenhuis and Eldredge, editors, 1999-2002). For each species, the following information is provided: 1. scientific name with author citation. 2. Common English and/or Hawaiian name(s), when known. 3. Biogeographic status. The following symbols are used: I? = questionably indigenous = data not clear if dispersal to the islands is by natural or human -related mechanisms, but weight of evidence suggests probably natural/indigenous -- native to the Hawaiian Islands and elsewhere. X = introduced or alien = all those plants brought to the Hawaiian Islands by humans, intentionally or accidentally, after Western contact, that is, Cook's arrival in the islands in 1778. 11 Scientific name DICOTS ACANTHACEAE (Acanthus family) Barleria cristata L. BIGNONIACEAE (Bignonia family) Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. CLUSIACEAE (Mangosteen family) Clusia rosea Jacq. Common name barleria African tulip tree autograph tree, copey, Scotch attorney CONVOLVULACEAE (Morning glory family) Ipomoea obscura (L.) Ker-Gawl. field bindweed CRASSULACEAE (Orpine family) Bryophyllum tubiflorum Harv. CUCURBITACEAE (Gourd family) Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt Momordica charantia L. EUPHORBIACEAE (Spurge family) Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp. FABACEAE (Pea family) Chamaecrista nictitans (L.) Moench Crotalaria incana L. Desmanthus pernambucanus (L.) Thellung Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit Prosopis pallida (Numb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Kunth Senna occidentalis (L.) Link Senna surattensis (N.L. Burm.) H. Irwin & Barneby MALVACEAE (Mallow family) Abutilon grandifolium (Willd.) Sweet Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Garcke Sida spinosa L. 7 chandelier plant coccinia, ivy gourd wild bittermelon hairy spurge, garden spurge partridge pea, lauki fuzzy rattlepod, kukaehoki slender mimosa indigo, 'iniko koa haole, ekoa kiawe coffee senna, 'auko'i kolomona, kalamona hairy abutilon, ma'o false mallow, hauuoi prickly sada Status :I 2 x x Scientific name Common name NYCTAGINACEAE (Four-o'clock family) Boerhavia coccinea Mill. PORTULACACEAE (Purslane family) Talinum fruticosum (L.) Juss. STERCULIACEAE (Cacao family) Waltheria indica L_ VERBENACEAE (Verbena family) Lantana camara L. POACEAE (Grass family) Chloris barbata (L.) Sw. Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. Melinis repens (Willd.) Zizka Panicum maximum Jacq. Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov. LI talinum, fameflower 'uhaloa, hi'aloa, kanakaloa lantana, lakana swollen fingergrass, mau'ulei wiregrass, manienie ali'i Natal redtop, Natal grass Guinea grass fountain grass Status X X I7 X X X X X FA A Survey of Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian Species on the Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Lot TMK: (3)7-4-08:20, at Keahuolu, North Kona District, Hawaii. Prepared by: Reginald E. David Rana Productions, Ltd. P.O. Box 1371 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745 Prepared for: Blu Croix Ltd. 3961 Blackbird Way Calabasas, California 91302 April 2003 Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Kona Office Site - Faunal Survey — 2003. 1 1. 1 1 1 1 1 A Table of Contents Figures & Tables Figure1. Site Map.........................................................................................4 Table 1. Avian Species Detected Within the Verizon, Hawaii. Kona Site ......... 6 Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Kona Office Site • Faunal Survey — 2003 - 2 Introduction This report summarizes the findings of an ornithological and mammalian survey of a portion of Verizon, Hawaii, Inc., 2.82 acre parcel, described as TMK: (3)7-4-08:20, located at Keahuoln in North Kona, Hawaii. Verizon Hawaii Inc. is proposing to apply for a change in the State of Hawai`i's Land Use designation and County of Hawai`i's zoning designation, as part of this lot is now considered surplus to Verizon's needs. The company intends to subdivide and sell a portion of the lot. Fieldwork was conducted on April 22nd, and 23`d 2003. ' The primary purpose of the survey was to determine whether there were any federally or state of Hawaii listed endangered, threatened, proposed, or candidate avian or ' mammalian species within, or in the immediate vicinity of the site being proposed for re- zoning. In addition to the field study, we also assessed the probability of any usage of the site by listed avian and mammalian species given the habitat currently found upon it. ' Avian phylogenetic order and nomenclature follows The American Ornithologists' Union Checklist of North American Birds 7d' Edition (American Ornithologists' Union 1998), ' and the 42"d and 43`d supplement to Check -list of North American Birds (American Ornithologists' Union 2000, 2002). Mammal scientific names follow Mammals in Hawaii (Tomich 1986). Plant names follow Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai `i (Wagner ' et al. 1990). Place names follow Place Names of Hawaii (Pukui et al. 1974). General Site Description The site is located between the existing Verizon, Hawaii, Kona Central Office facility and ' the existing Cross Roads Shopping Center. The site is bound to the north by Palani Road, and to the west by Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway. The site gently slopes from east to west from a maximum elevation of -- 190 -feet above mean sea level (amsl), down to an ' elevation of — 130 -feet amsl. (Figure 1), (USGS 1980). The terrain is composed of a mix of pahoehoe and a`a lava flows formed by Hualalai more than 10,000 years ago, during the Pleistocene age (Wolfe and Morris 1996, USGS 1980). The vegetation present on the portion of the site surveyed, is dominated almost to the exclusion of native species by alien (i.e., introduced to Hawaii by humans) grasses, trees and woody shrubs including; fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum), Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), koa haole (Leucaena leucocephala), kiawe (Prosopis pallida) and African tulip (Spathodea campanulata). The site shows extensive signs of human disturbance, including the remains of numerous camp sites and extensive evidence of bulldozing and repeated clearing activities. a Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Kona Office Site - Faunal Survey — 2003 - 3 FIGURE 1 SITE MAP VERIZON HAWAII -TMK: (3) 7-4-08:20 ' Mammalian Survey Methods ' All observations of mammalian species were of an incidental nature. With the exception of the Hawaiian hoary bat, all other terrestrial mammals found on the Island of Hawai'i are ' alien species. Most are ubiquitous, thus no trapping program was proposed or undertaken to quantify the usage by alien mammalian species of the study site. The survey of mammals was limited to visual and auditory detection, coupled with ' observation of scat, tracks and other animal sign. A running tally was kept of all mammalian species observed and heard within the project area. ' In an effort to detect the presence of endangered Hawaiian hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), or 'ope'ape'a, as it is known locally, visual scans were made for bats during ' crepuscular periods on two separate evenings from the parking lot of the WalMart store which is located in the Cross Roads Shopping Center, and provides an unobstructed view of the airspace above the Verizon site.. ' Avian Survey Methods ' A single avian count station was sited in the center of the lot. Three 8 minute unlimited distance variable circular plot (VCP) counts were made at one hour intervals on the morning of April 23`d 2003. Field observations were made with the aid of Leitz 10 X 42 ' binoculars and by listening for vocalizations. Counts were concentrated during the early morning hours, the time of day that bird activity is typically at its peak. ' An additional two hours were spent overlooking the site on each of two separate nights, in an attempt to detect nocturnally flying seabirds and owls overflying the site. Time not ' spent counting was used to search the site for species and habitats that were not detected during count sessions. The perimeter of the lot was walked, as were three separate north south transects, each running the length of the lot. ' Mammalian Survey Results Three mammalian species were detected during the course of this survey; all are alien to the Hawaiian Islands. Skeletal remains of a small Indian mongoose (Herpestes a. auropunctatus) was encountered, as were sign (scat and tracks) of both cat (Fells catus), and dog (Canis f. familiaris). No Hawaiian hoary bats were detected within, or close to the site. All of the mammalian species recorded during this survey are deleterious to avian ' and floristic components of the remaining native ecosystems present on the Island. No mammalian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs were detected ' during this survey (DLNR 1998, Federal Register 1999a, 1999b, 2001, 2002) 4 Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Kona Office Site - Faunal Survey — 2003 - 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 Avian Survey Results A total of 12 avian species representing 8 separate families were recorded during station counts (Table 1). All of the avian species detected are alien species, commonly found throughout the leeward lowland areas on the Island of Hawaii. (Table 1). No avian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs was detected during this survey (DLNR 1998, Federal Register 1999a, 1999b, 2001, 2002) Table I Avian Species Detected Within the Verizon Hawaii, Kona Site Common Name Scientific Name ST # _ PIGEONS & DOVES - Columbidae Spotted Dove Streptopilia chinensis A 2 Zebra Dove Geopelia striata. A 5 SILVEREYES - Zosteropidae Japanese White -Eye Zosterops japonicus A 6 STARLINGS - Stumidae Common Myna Acridotheres tristis. A 5 EMBERIZIDS - Emberizidae Saffron Finch Sicalis jlaveola A 2 Yellow -billed Cardinal Paroaria capitata A 5 SALTATORS & ALLIES - Cardinalidae Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis A 4 CARDULINE FINCHES & ALLIES - Fringillidae House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis A 4 OLD WORLD SPARROWS — Passeridae House Sparrow Passer d. domesticus A 13 Yellow -fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus A 7 WAXBILLS & ALLIES — Estrildidae African Silverbill Lonchura cantans A 2 Java Sparrow Padda oryzivora A 8 KEY TO TABLE 1 ST Status A Alien Species (introduced to Hawaii by humans) # Largest number of individuals recorded between the three counts Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Kona Office Site - Faunal Survey — 2003 - 6 ' Discussion ' A one-time survey can not provide a total picture of the wildlife utilizing any given area. Certain species will not be detected for one reason or another. Seasonal variations in ' populations coupled with seasonal usage and availability of resources will cause different usage patterns throughout a year or, in fact, over a number of years. ' The findings of the mammalian survey are consistent with other such surveys conducted in the North Kona District within the recent past (David 1999, 2000a, 2000b, 2000c, 2000d, 2001). It is likely that Hawaiian hoary bats overfly the project site occasionally, ' as they have been seen in numerous lowland areas in North Kona, on a seasonal basis (David 1990, Jacobs 1994, R. David unpublished field notes 1985-2002). ' Although no rodents were detected during the course of this survey, it is probable that roof rats (Rattus r. rattus), Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans ' hawadensis) and European house mice (Mus domesticus) use resources present within the site. Without conducting a trapping program, it is difficult to assess the population densities of these often hard -to -see mammals. All mammalian species detected as well as ' the above mentioned rodents are alien to the Hawaiian Islands, and are deleterious to native ecosystems and the native animals and organisms that depend on them. The low diversity and density of avian species detected during this survey was in keeping with the results of at least six other like surveys conducted in the same general area, in like habitat, in recent years (David 1999, 2000a, 2000b, 2000c, 2000d, 2001). The habitat currently found within the study site and within the fountain grass dominated lowland areas in North Kona does not currently provide the resources necessary for the sustenance or nesting of native avian species. Although not detected during this survey it is possible that small numbers of the endangered endemic Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis)', or `ua'u over -fly the site between the months of June and October (Banko 1980, Harrison 1990). This species was formerly common on the Island of Hawaii (Wilson & Evans 1890-1899). This pelagic seabird reportedly nested in large numbers on the slopes of Mauna Loa and in the saddle area between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea (Henshaw 1902), as well as the mid to high elevations of Mount Hualalai. It has within recent historic times been reduced to relictual breeding colonies located at high elevations on Mauna Loa and possibly Mount ' The Hawaiian endemic endangered sub -species of the Dark -Lumped Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia sandwichensis) has been elevated to a full species, based on the differences in vocalizations, and morphology between it, and the nominate Galapagos species (Pterodroma p. phaeopygia). The new common and scientific names for the Hawai `i breeding species are Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) (American Ornithological Union 2002) Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Kona Office Site - Faunal Survey — 2003 - 7 Hualalai. (Banko 1980, Harrison 1990, Cooper & David 1995, Cooper et al. 1995, Simons and Hodges 1998, Banko et al. 2001, Hue et al. 2001). The primary cause of mortality in this species is thought to be predation by alien mammalian species at the nesting colonies (Cooper and Day 1995, Day and Cooper 1995, Ainley et al. 2001). Collision with man-made structures is considered by many, to be the second most significant cause of mortality for this seabird species in Hawaii. Nocturnally flying seabirds, especially fledging birds, can become disoriented by exterior lighting on their way to sea in the summer and fall. When disoriented, seabirds often collide with manmade structures and, if not killed outright, the dazed or injured birds are easy targets of opportunity for feral mammals (Ainley et al. 1995, 1997, 2001, Cooper and Day 1995, 1998, Day and Cooper 1995). There is no suitable nesting habitat within, or close to the Verizon site for this species. Conclusions The habitat present on the study site has nothing to offer native avian or mammalian species. No native species were detected on the site, and it is unlikely that there is usage of the site by listed species - with the possible exception of occasional foraging above the site by Hawaiian hoary bats. There is nothing in the findings of this survey that would suggest that changing the zoning, or land use designation of a portion of TMK:(3)7-4-08:20 will result in deleterious impacts to any listed mammalian or avian species known from the island of Hawaii. Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Kona Ofte Site - Faunal Survey — 2003 - 8 ' Literature Cited: ' Ainley, D. G, R. Podolsky, L. Deforest, G. Spencer, and N. Nur. 1995. Kauai endangered seabird study. Volume 2: The ecology of Dark-rumped Petrels and Newell's Shearwaters. Final Report TR -105847-V2, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo ' Alto, California, by PRBO Stinson Beach, CA. . 1997. New Insights into the Status of the Hawaiian Petrel on Kauai. Colonial ' Waterbirds,'20 (1): 24-30 . 2001. The Status and Population Trends of the Newell's Shearwater on Kaua'i: Insights from Modeling, In: Scott, J. M, S. Conant, and C. Van Riper III (editors) Evolution, Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Hawaiian Birds: A Vanishing ' Avifauna. Studies in Avian Biology No. 22:. Cooper's Ornithological Society, Allen Press, Lawrence, Kansas. (Pg. 108-123) ' American Ornithologist's Union. 1998. Check -list of North American Birds. 7th edition. AOU. Washington D.C. 829pp. t . 2000. Forty-second supplement to the American Ornithologist's Union Check -list of North American Birds. Auk 117:847-858 . 2002. Forty-second supplement to the American Ornithologist's Union Check -list ' of North American Birds. Auk 119:897-906 Banko, W. E. 1980. Population Histories- Species Accounts Seabirds: Hawaiian Dark- ' rumped Petrel (`Ua`u). Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Hawaii at Manna, Department of Botany, Technical Report #5B. Banko, P. C., R. E. David, J. D. Jacobi, and W. E. Banko. 2001. Conservation Status and ' Recovery Strategies for Endemic Hawaiian Birds, In:: Scott, J. M, S. Conant, and C. Van Riper III (editors) Evolution, Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Hawaiian Birds: A Vanishing Avifauna. Studies in Avian Biology No. 22. Cooper's ' Ornithological Society, Allen Press, Lawrence, Kansas (Pg. 359-376). Cooper, B. A. and R. E. David. 1995. Radar and Visual Surveys of Seabirds in the HELCO ' SSP Unit 71, Puna, Hawaii, During July 1995. Prepared for R. M. Towill Corporation & Hawaii Electric Light Co. Cooper, B.A, R.E. David, and R.J. Blaha. 1995. Radar and Visual Surveys of Endangered Seabirds and Bats in the Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, During Summer 1995. Prepared for R.M. Towill Corporation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific ' Division (POD). Cooper, B. A and R. H. Day. 1995. Kauai endangered seabird study. Volume 1: Interactions of Dark-rumped Petrels and Newell's Shearwaters with utility structures ' on Kauai, Hawaii: Final Report, TR -105847 -VI, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, California. . 1998. Summer Behavior and Mortality of Dark-rumped Petrels and Newells' ' Shearwaters at Power Lines on Kauai. Colonial Waterbirds, 21 (1): 11-19 Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Kona Office Site - Faunal Survey -2003 - 9 ' David, R. E. 1990. North Kona Christmas Count 1989. 'Elepaio Vol. 50, No. 5. (Pg. 41-42). . 1999. Faunal Survey of Terrestrial Vertebrate Species, within the Proposed University of Hawai'i Center at West Hawaii Site, North Kona, Hawaii. Hawaii Community College Long Range Development Plan. Prepared for: Wil Chee Planning. 2000a. Faunal Survey of Avian and Mammalian Species within the Proposed Kaloko-Honokohau Business Park Site, Ka-loko, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii. Prepared for: William L. Moore Planning & Lanihau Partners, L.P. 2000b. Faunal Survey of Avian and Mammalian Species, Kona International Airport Master Plan Update. Keahole, North Kona, Hawaii. Prepared for: Edward K. f Noda & Associates & Department of Transportation Airports Division (HDOT- AIR). . 2000c. Faunal Survey of Avian and Mammalian Species Kaloko Industrial Park, ' Phases III & IV, Kaloko, North Kona, Hawaii. Prepared for: Wilson Okamoto & Associates and TSA International, Ltd. ' . 2000d. A Survey of Avian and Mammalian Species, Various Sites at Ka-`u-pulehu. North Kona District, Island of Hawaii. Hawaii. Prepared for: Belt Collins Hawaii, Ltd. ' 2001. Faunal Survey of Avian and Mammalian Species on the DHHL Commercial / Industrial Development Project Site at Kealakehe, North Kona District, Hawaii. Prepared for: PBR Hawaii, Inc. and The Department of Hawaiian ' Homes. 14 pp. Day, R. H., and B. Cooper. 1997. Patterns of Movement of Dark-rumped Petrels and ' Newell's Shearwaters on Kauai. The Condor, 97: 1011-1027. Department of Land and Natural Resources. (DLNR). 1998. Indigenous Wildlife, Endangered And Threatened Wildlife And Plants, And Introduced Wild Birds. Department of ' Land and Natural Resources. State of Hawaii. Administrative Rule §13-134-1 through §13-134-10, dated March 02, 1998. ' Federal Register. 1999a. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. 50CFR 17:11 and 17:12 — December 3, 1999 1999b. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, 50 CFR 17. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Plant and Animal Taxa that are Candidates or Proposed for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Recycled Petitions, and Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions. Federal Register, 64 No. 205 (Monday, October 25, 1999): 57534-57547. t Service, 50 CFR 17. . 2001. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Notice of Findings on Recycled ' Petitions. Federal Register, 66 No. 5 (Monday, January 8, 2001): 1295 — 1300. W Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Kona Office Site - Faunal Survey— 2003 - 10 Federal Register. 2002. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, 50 CFR 17. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Review of Species That Are Candidate or Proposed for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Recycled Petition; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions. Federal Register, 67 No. 114 (Thursday, June 13, 2002): 40657-40679. ' Harrison, C. S. 1990. Seabirds of Hawaii: Natural History and Conservation. Cornell University Press, Ithica, N.Y. 249 pp. Henshaw, H.W. 1902. Complete list of birds of the Hawaiian Possessions with notes on their habits. Thrum, Honolulu. 146 pp. Hue, D., C. Glidden, J. Lippert, L. Schnell, J. MacIvor and J. Meisler. 2001. Habitat Use and Limiting Factors in a Population of Hawaiian Dark-rumped Petrels on Mauna Loa, Hawaii. , in:: Scott, J. M, S. Conant, and C. Van Riper III (editors) Evolution, Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Hawaiian Birds: A Vanishing Avifauna. ' Studies in Avian Biology No. 22. Cooper's Ornithological Society, Allen Press, Lawrence, Kansas (Pg. 234-242). ' Jacobs, D.S. 1994. Distribution and Abundance of the Endangered Hawaiian Hoary Bat, Lasiurus cinereus semotus, on the Island of Hawaii. Pacific Science, Vol. 48, no. 2: 193-200. ' Pukui , M. K., S. H. Elbert, and E. T. Mookini. 1976. Place Names of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press. Honolulu, Hawaii. 289 pp. ' Simons, T. R., and C. N. Hodges. 1998. Dark-rumped Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia). In A. Poole and F. Gill (editors). The Birds of North America, No. 345. The Acadamey of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA. And the American Ornithologists Union, ' Washington, D.C. Tomich, P.Q. 1986. Mammals in Hawaii. Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu, Hawaii. 375 pp- ' USGS. 1980. Kailua, Hawaii Quadrangle, Hawaii, Hawaii Co., Island of Hawaii —North Kona District, 7.5 minute series (Topographic). Denver, Colorado. ' Wagner, W.L., D.R Herbst, and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii 1854 pp. ' Wilson, S. B., and A. H. Evans. 1890-1899. Aves Hawaiiensis: The birds of the Sandwich Islands. R. H. Porter, London. ' Wolfe, E. W., and J. Morris. 1996 Geological Map of the Island of Hawaii. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. 1 W Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Kona Office Sile - Faunal Survey — 2003 - 11 `DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS COUNTY OF HAWAII HILO, HAWAII Pm f 5Y DATE: October 20, 2003 Memorandurr�� ALi TO Christopher J. Yuen, Planning Director Planning Department FROM Galen M. Kuba, Division Chief �. Engineering Division SUBJECT : Change of Zone Application (REZ 03-024) State Land Use Boundary Amendment (SLU 03-010) Applicant: Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Location: Keaholu, N. Kona, HI TMK: 3 / 7-4-008:020 We reviewed the subject application and our comments are as follows: DRAINAGE All development generated runoff shall be disposed of on-site and shall not be directed toward any adjacent properties. A drainage study shall be prepared, and the recommended drainage system shall be constructed meeting with the approval of DPW. 2. The applicant shall be informed that if they include drywells in the subject development, an Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit may be required from the Department of Health, State of Hawaii. EARTHWORK All earthwork and grading shall conform to Chapter 10, Erosion and Sediment Control, of the Hawaii County Code. The applicant shall comply with chapter 11-55, Water Pollution Control, Hawaii Administrative Rules, Department of Health, which requires an NPDES permit�of�r,29 certain construction activity. 44 EXHIBIT DPW to Planning Director REZ- 03-024 October 20, 2003 p.2of2 ROADWAYS Due to the proximity of this property to the Queen Kaahumanu Highway intersection, the adjacent County Fire Station and location on the inside of a curve, we recommend that left turns into the proposed development be prohibited. In addition, should future improvements to Palani Road provide for a barrier median, left turns out of the parcel may be prohibited. 2. Vehicular access to the individual lots shall not be from any major collector or arterial roadways. The applicant shall remove any encroachments or obstructions within the Palani Road right-of-way. 4. Palani Road, the 2 -lane County road serving the subject property, is an arterial road. It has a variable right-of-way width. Palani Road shall be improved to an 80 - ft. right-of-way, according to the County's General Plan. It appears that no additional right-of-way is needed along the frontage of the subject parcel to meet the requirements of the General Plan. 5. It is the policy of DPW to recommend improvement of properties for which commercial zoning is sought as follows: The applicant shall provide full improvements to the entire frontage along Palani Road consisting of, but not limited to, pavement widening with concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk, drainage improvements, and any relocation of utilities; meeting with the approval of the DPW. The applicant shall construct all improvements at no cost to the County. Install street lights, signs and markings meeting with the approval of the DPW, Traffic Division. 6. Access to Palani Road, including the provision of adequate sight distances, shall meet with the approval of DPW. If a variance is considered for the access width, a minimum 24 -foot wide pavement within a 40 -foot right of way or easement, to include curb and sidewalk on one side should be adequate. 7. All sight distances shall conform to the Hawaii Statewide Uniform Design Manual or AASHTO guidelines. Should there be any questions concerning this matter, please feel free to contact Kiran Emler of our Kona Engineering Division office at 327-3530. KE copy: ENG-HILO/KONA PLNG-KONA OMA TRAFFIC SAFETY CoAk"ITTEE 77-180 KEKAI PLACE z KAILUA-KONA z HAwAI' 196740 z 808-331-2765 z ktsc(a)hawaii.rr.com promoting a safe environment for all modes of land transportation in the districts of North and South Kona November 3, 2003 Clu-is Yuen, Director Hawaii County Department of Planning 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Applications for Land Use Boundary Amendment and Change of Zone Dear Mr. Yuen: The Kona Traffic Safety Committee has reviewed the subject applications and believes that the proposed urban land use designation and CV -10 zoning are generally appropriate for the property. We acknowledge that the owner is not proposing development with its applications, but we are nevertheless concerned because access to the property is on an inside curve from Palani Road, and is quite close to the Palani Road/Queen Kaahumanu Highway intersection and to the fire station access road. Commercial development of the property will therefore greatly increase traffic hazards in an already congested area. We note that the Department of Public Works has reviewed the applications at your request and indicated it will recommend that left turns into a commercial facility be prohibited, but that left turns from the facility should also be restricted only if there is a sight distance deficiency or future improvements to Palani Road that necessitate the restriction. We believe that if the property is developed for commercial use, left turns into and from Palani Road should be prohibited in any event, and that such prohibitions should be established as a condition of approval of the applications. Furthermore, we suggest that the applicant be required to explore the feasibility of establishing an alternative access route not using Palani Road or Queen Kaahumanu Highway. We particularly encourage a linkage to one of the two disconnected roads, Henry Street and Kamakaeha Road, intersecting with Palani Road near the subject parcel. This might require Verizon to purchase land to create safer ingress and egress. We respectfully request the opportunity to review these proposed changes to the land use boundary amendment after they've been researched and reported. Sincerely yours, Joel E. Gimpel, Chair Government Relations Kona Traffic Safety Committee EXHIBIT C RVerizonREZ.doc - 11/18/03 COUNTY OF HAWAII PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION VERIZON HAWAII, INC. CHANGE OF ZONE APPLICATION (REZ 03-024) Upon careful review of the request, the Planning Director is recommending that a favorable recommendation of the subject request for a Change of Zone be forwarded to the County Council. This recommendation does not, however, sanction the specific plans submitted with the application as it may be subject to change given the specific code and regulatory requirements of the affected agencies. Since this recommendation is made without the benefit of public testimony, the Director reserves the right to modify and/or alter this position based upon additional information presented at the public hearing. This favorable recommendation is based on the following findings: The applicant is requesting a Change of Zone from Agricultural (A -1a) to Village Commercial (CV -10) for approximately 2.821 acres of land. The applicant intends to subdivide the property into two lots. The applicant is also requesting a concurrent State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to Urban. In order to consider an area for any type of zoning designation, the applicable goals, policies and standards of the General Plan must be adequately addressed. It is only through such a comprehensive policy analysis approach that evaluations and decisions can be made to better time and stage developments to achieve growth determined by the General Plan and related planning documents. The implications of these evaluations and decisions must he also considered as they may have an impact on similar areas in the County. The proposed request from Agricultural (A -la) to Village Commercial (CV - 10) conforms to the goals, policies and standards of Land Use (Commercial), Economic and Public Utilities elements of the General Plan. The change of zone request would complement the Kona Regional Plan, which designates this area for General Commercial uses, as well as the goals and policies of the Commercial element of the General Plan which states that commercial areas shall be allocated to best meet the existing and future demands of neighborhood, community and C- Lf&b C3111s a-1o�D-11� PC regional needs and would maximize convenience to users. The General Plan further states that for this area in Kona, the centralization of commercial activities shall be encouraged in existing commercial centers. The surrounding area includes a number of major retailers, along with the Kailua Fire Station located immediately mauka of the property. Lands to the north are zoned General Commercial (CG -10), site of the Makalapua Center (Macy's, K -Mart), and lands to the east and south are zoned General Commercial (CG -20), site of Safeway and Wa1Mart mauka of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway, and Lanihau Center makai of the highway. Lands to the southwest are zoned Village Commercial (CV -10), site of the Kona Coast Shopping Center, which includes Ross's and other commercial retailers. The Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map component of the General Plan is a representation of the document's goals and policies to guide the coordinated growth and development of the County. It reflects a graphic depiction of the physical relationship among the various land uses. The LUPAG map designates the subject property and surrounding area as High Density Urban. Although the requested Village - Commercial (CV -7.5) zoned district does not conform to the LUPAG Map, the Kona Coast Shopping Center, which includes Ross's, is located southwest of the site, and designated High Density Urban and zoned CV -10. High Density Urban includes such designation as commercial, multiple residential and related services (general and office commercial) and multiple residential up to 87 units per acre. The area under consideration is consistent with the urban form established for this area, as surrounding properties are in commercial uses. Therefore, the urbanization of this property will not contribute towards scattered urban development. The requested commercial zoning would be ideally located in close proximity to existing commercial activities in the general area and complement the existing commercial uses in the area. The Kona Regional Plan Land Use Concept Map suggests General Commercial uses for the area. Because of demands for additional commercial lands, this area has since been determined to be a suitable location for commercial uses. This request will be an extension of the existing commercial -zoned lands within this section of Kailua-Kona. Therefore, it is determined that the request is consistent with current land use policy and other land use planning documents for this area of North Kona. The property is located within an area adequately served with essential -2- services and facilities. Access to the subject property is from Palani Road, a two-lane County roadway with a variable right-of-way width. According to a November 7, 2002 letter from the Planning Department to the applicant, only one access point will be allowed. The proposed two -lot subdivision would require a minimum 16 -foot wide right- of-way with a 12 -foot wide pavement. The Department of Public Works provided the following comments: • no left turns in to the property. • access to Palani Road, including the provision of sight distances, shall meet with the approval of the Department of Public Works. All sight distances shall conform to the Hawaii Statewide Uniform Design Manual or AASHTO guidelines. • If a variance is considered for the access width, a minimum 24 -foot wide pavement within a 40 -foot right-of-way or easement, to include curb and sidewalk on one side, should be adequate. • should future improvements to Palani Road provide for a barrier median, left turns out of the parcel may be prohibited. • vehicular access to the individual lots shall not be from any major collector or arterial roadways. • remove any encroachments or obstructions within the Palani Road right-of-way. • improve Palani Road to an 80 -foot right-of-way, per the County General Plan. • provide full improvements to the entire frontage along Palani Road consisting of, but not limited to, pavement widening with concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk, drainage improvements, and any relocation of utilities, meeting with the approval of the Department of Public Works. • install street lights, signs and markings, meeting with the approval of the Department of Public Works. • construct all improvements at no cost to the County of Hawaii. With these recommended improvements, the request would complement a policy of the General Plan in which "Commercial facilities shall be developed in areas adequately served by necessary services, such as water, utilities, sewers, and -3- transportation systems....." As a condition of approval, the applicant will be required to provide roadway improvements as recommended by the Department of Public Works. The Kona Traffic Safety Committee (KTSC) has stated that "the proposed land use designation and CV -10 zoning are generally appropriate for the property." However, along with the Department of Public Works, the KTSC has also expressed traffic concerns. County Water is available to the site. Although the Department of Environmental Management provided no comments in response to the Planning Department's request for comments, in a letter dated March 17, 2003 to the applicant (included as part of the application), the Department of Environmental Management requires that the applicant submit a Solid Waste Management Plan. There is a municipal sewer system in the area. According to a memo dated March 11, 2003 from the Department of Public Works Wastewater Division, the property is not connected to the public sewer system. The applicant has stated that there is a septic system on the site Police services are available less than one mile from the subject property. Fire and emergency services are available from the Kailua Fire Station on the adjacent property. Electricity and telephone services are available to the site. The subject request is not contrary to Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to Coastal Zone Management. The property is not located in the Special Management Area, and is located approximately 2,800 feet from the nearest coastline. There are no identified recreational resources, historic resources, public access to the shoreline or mountain areas, scenic and open space preserves, coastal ecosystems, marine resources or other natural and environmental resources in the area. Thus, the proposed request and use of the property will not adversely impact those resources. The Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) indicate that the area is located in Zone "X," areas determined to be outside of the 500 -year flood plain. There are no significant drainage ways that adversely affects the project site. While there are no indications of surface water flow on-site, the applicant will be required to abide by all applicable County guidelines for run-off generated by the development. The Department of Public Works ra requires the preparation of a drainage study and the construction of a recommended drainage system, meeting with the approval of the Department of Public Works. A "Botanical Survey Verizon Hawaii Inc., Subdivision Project Kailua-Kona, North Kona District, Hawaii" was conducted by Char and Associates in May 2003. A total of 27 species were inventoried on the property. According to the survey, the vegetation on the property consists of koa haole shrubs, kiawe trees, lantana, hairy abutilon, indigo, African tulip, autograph tree, and lomona. Ground cover is denser along the lower section of the undeveloped portion. This area was bulldozed in the past and the pahoehoe substrate broken into smaller pieces. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the ground cover is composed of guinea grass and fameflower, and other grasses and shrubs include natal redtop grass, swollen fingergrass, garden spurge, false mallow, fuzzy rattlepod, 'uhaloa, barleria, and partidge pea and fountain grass. Only the 'uhaloa is considered a native species. A few vines of ivy gourd, wild bittermelon and field bindweed is also present on the site. According to the survey, the vegetation has been disturbed in the past by bulldozing and wildfires. Thus, there is very little species of botanical interest or concern on the site. None of the plants found during the field studies is a threatened and endangered species or a species of concern. Char and Associates concluded that the proposed project is not expected to have a significant negative impact on botanical resources. A "Survey of Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian Species on the Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Lot TMK: (3)7-4-080:20 at Keahuolu, North Kona District, Hawaii" was prepared by Reginald E. David in April 2003. Three mammalian species, all alien to the Hawaiian Islands, were detected during the course of this survey — the skeletal remains of an indian mongoose, cat and dog. No Hawaiian hoary bats were detected within, or close to the site. No mammalian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs were detected during this survey. A total of twelve avian species representing eight separate families were recorded during the study. Avian species detected on the site include pigeons and doves, silvereyes, starlings, emberizids, saltators and allies, carduline finches and allies, old world sparrows and waxbills and allies, all alien species introduced to -5- Hawaii. No avian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs was detected during the survey. The survey concluded that the habitat present on the study site has nothing to offer native avian or mammalian species. No native species were detected on the site, and it is unlikely that there is usage of the site by listed species - with the possible exception of occasional foraging above the site by Hawaiian hoary bats, "thus, there is nothing in the findings that would suggest that changing the zoning, or land use designation of a portion of TMK: (3)7-4-08: 20 will result in deleterious impacts to any listed mammalian or avian species known from the island of Hawaii." An "Archaeological Inventory Survey in Support of the Proposed Verizon Office Subdivision Project, Keahuolu Ahupuaa, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii" was conducted by Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc., in April 2003. Two archaeologists under the direction of Hallett H. Hammatt, Ph.D., carried out the survey on March 26 and 27, 2003. According to the survey, there were eight previous archaeological surveys conducted in the Keahuolu ahupuaa in the past. During the course of this survey, one new site (Site 50-10-28-23, 798) with three features was identified: Feature A - located in the northwest corner of the project area, consists of a faced platform and adjoining terrace constructed of large pahoehoe boulders. The feature is in good to poor condition and was probably used as a foundation for a temporary habitation structure in the pre -contact or early historic period. Feature B - a modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular outline of this feature and the uneven surface of the outcrop suggests that this feature was not used for habitation. The morphology of this feature is similar to other agricultural features in the area. This feature was possibly used as a temporary work area to make or maintain volcanic glass tools. Feature C - modified pahoehoe outcrop. This feature is a roughly oval, modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular shape of this feature and the uneven surface suggests that this feature was not used for habitation, but more likely as a planting area for dryland crops. The general area may also have been occasionally used as a workshop area to make or maintain tools. ris Besides the three features, no additional sites or features were observed during the inventory survey, and the survey recommends no further data collection for this site. This site is considered significant as it has yielded or is likely to yield information important for research on prehistory or history under Criterion D of "Rules Governing Procedures for Historic Preservation Review." The three features have been adequately recorded and tested, thus no further archaeological work is recommended for the site at this time. The survey recommends that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A due to the slight possibility that it contains a burial in the unexcavated portion. While the likelihood of encountering human remains or other significant cultural deposits is extremely low, in the unlikely event that deposits are encountered, all subsurface work should immediately cease, and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation should be promptly notified. The subject site is not proximate to the shoreline. As such, gathering of marine life and coastal access is not an issue. There is no record of a designated public access to the shoreline or mountain areas that traverses the property. Regarding traditional and customary Hawaiian rights: Investigation of valued resources: The applicant has submitted the following from which the Planning Commission can determine the valued cultural, historical and natural resources within the subject property: A 'Botanical Survey Verizon Hawaii Inc., Subdivision Project Kailua-Kona, North Kona District, Hawaii" by Char and Associates in May 2003. A "Survey of Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian Species on the Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Lot TMK: (3)7-4-080:20 at Keahuolu, North Kona District, Hawaii" by Reginald E. David in April 2003. An "Archaeological Inventory Survey in Support of the Proposed Verizon Office Subdivision Project, Keahuolu Ahupuaa, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii" by Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc., in April 2003. The valuable cultural historical and natural resources found in the rezoning area: -7- Given the property's urban setting and the existing structure on the site, the presence of any known rare, threatened, or endangered species or endangered floral and fauna species is remote. Likewise, the existence of archaeological sites within the subject property is also unlikely. However, the applicant has submitted the surveys identified above to ensure that concerns regarding potential important archaeological sites, botanical and mammalian species are properly addressed. The archaeological survey described above identified one new site (Site 50-10-28- 23, 798) with three features: Feature A - located in the northwest corner of the project area, consists of a faced platform and adjoining terrace constructed of large pahoehoe boulders. The feature is in good to poor condition and was probably used as a foundation for a temporary habitation structure in the pre -contact or early historic period. Feature B - a modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular outline of this feature and the uneven surface of the outcrop suggests that this feature was not used for habitation. The morphology of this feature is similar to other agricultural features in the area. This feature was possibly used as a temporary work area to make or maintain volcanic glass tools. Feature C - modified pahoehoe outcrop. This feature is a roughly oval, modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular shape of this feature and the uneven surface suggests that this feature was not used for habitation, but more likely as a planting area for dryland crops. The general area may also have been occasionally used as a workshop area to make or maintain tools. Besides the three features, no additional sites or features were observed during the inventory survey, and the survey recommends no further data collection for this site. This site is considered significant as it has yielded or is likely to yield information important for research on prehistory or history under Criterion D of "Rules Governing Procedures for Historic Preservation Review." The three features have been adequately recorded and tested, thus no further archaeological work is recommended for the site at this time. The survey recommends that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A due to the slight possibility that it contains a burial in the unexcavated portion. While the likelihood of encountering human remains or other significant cultural deposits is extremely low, in the unlikely event that deposits are encountered, all subsurface work should immediately cease, and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation should be promptly notified. The survey of avian and terrestrial mammalian species revealed three mammalian species, all alien to the Hawaiian Islands - the skeletal remains of a dog, cat and mongoose. No Hawaiian hoary bats were detected within, or close to the site. No mammalian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs were detected during this survey. A total of twelve avian species representing eight separate families were recorded during the study. Avian species detected on the site include pigeons and doves, silvereyes, starlings, emberizids, saltators and allies, carduline finches and allies, old world sparrows and waxbills and allies, all alien species introduced to Hawaii. No avian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs was detected during the survey. The survey concluded that the habitat present on the study site has nothing to offer native avian or mammalian species. No native species were detected on the site, and it is unlikely that there is usage of the site by listed species - with the possible exception of occasional foraging above the site by Hawaiian hoary bats, "thus, there is nothing in the findings that would suggest that changing the zoning, or land use designation of a portion of TMK: (3)7-4-08: 20 will result in deleterious impacts to any listed mammalian or avian species known from the island of Hawaii." The botanical survey inventoried 27 species on the site. According to the survey, the vegetation on the property consists of koa haole shrubs, kiawe trees, lantana, hairy abutilon, indigo, African tulip, autograph tree, and lomona. Ground cover is denser along the lower section of the undeveloped portion. This area was bulldozed in the past and the pahoehoe substrate broken into smaller pieces. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the ground cover is composed of guinea grass and fameflower, and other grasses and shrubs include natal redtop grass, swollen fmgergrass, garden spurge, false mallow, fuzzy M rattlepod, 'uhaloa, barleria, and partidge pea and fountain grass. Only the 'uhaloa is considered a native species. A few vines of ivy gourd, wild bittermelon and field bindweed is also present on the site. According to the survey, the vegetation has been disturbed in the past by bulldozing and wildfires. Thus, there is very little species of botanical interest or concern on the site. None of the plants found during the field studies is a threatened and endangered species or a species of concern. Char and Associates concluded that the proposed project is not expected to have a significant negative impact on botanical resources. Possible adverse effect or impairment of valued resources: According to the surveys submitted by the applicant, there does not appear to be any valued resources on the property. Native plants could be destroyed by construction and ground alteration. However, these plants are found in other similar habitats in the general area. The survey did not identify any threatened or endangered species on the site. The archaeological survey recommended that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A due to the slight possibility that it contains a burial in the unexcavated portion of the feature. If this recommendation is not followed, there may be a possibility that a burial may be destroyed. Feasible actions to protect native Hawaiianrights: The property is not proximate to the shoreline; therefore, gathering of marine life and coastal access is not an issue. It is not known whether the subject property or immediate surrounding area was previously used for the gathering of plants by native Hawaiians. No valued cultural, historical or natural resources exist on the property and there is no evidence of any traditional customary Native Hawaiian rights being practiced on the site. Thus, to the extent to which traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights are exercised, the proposed action will not affect traditional Hawaiian rights, and no action is necessary to protect those rights. In the highly unlikely event that legitimate gathering claims are made by native Hawaiians, the applicant should respect and honor such claims and provide the needed access within the site. -10- Based on the above findings, this request to reclassify the subject property from an Agricultural (A -1a) to a Village Commercial (CV -10) zoned district would result in an appropriate land use pattern and further benefit the general public. The accompanying draft bill to amend Section 25-8-3 (North Kona Zone Map), Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) is provided for your favorable consideration. Please note the proposed conditions of approval attached to the draft bill. -11- CVerizonREZ.dm-11 /18/03 VERIZON HAWAII, INC. CHANGE OF ZONE APPLICATION (REZ 03-024) CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL A. The applicant, successors or assigns shall be responsible for complying with all of the stated conditions of approval. B. Final Subdivision Approval of the subject property shall be secured within five (5) years from the effective date of this ordinance. C. The applicant shall provide improvements to Palani Road fronting the subject property. The applicant shall provide full improvements to the Palani Road frontage consisting of, but not limited to, pavement widening with concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk, drainage improvements, and any relocation of utilities meeting with the approval of the Department of Public Works. The widened street shall be dedicated without cost to the County of Hawaii prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Install street lights, signs and markings, meeting with the approval of the Department of Public Works, Traffic Division. D. The applicant shall remove any encroachments or obstructions within the Palani Road right-of-way. E. Only one access shall be allowed to Palani Road, fronting the subject property. The access to Palani Road, including the provision of sight distances, shall meet with the approval of the Department of Public Works. If a variance is considered for the access width, the applicant shall construct a minimum 24 -foot wide pavement within a 40 -foot right-of-way or easement including curb and sidewalk on one side. F. The driveway connection to the subject property from Palani Road shall conform to Chapter 22, Streets and Sidewalks, of the Hawaii County Code and meet with the approval of the Department of Public Works. Driveways shall conform to County Standards Details. All sight distances shall meet the requirements of the Hawaii Statewide Uniform Design Manual or AASHTO Guidelines. G. Deft turns shall be prohibited into the proposed development. H. A drainage study shall be prepared, and the recommended drainage system shall be constructed, meeting with the approval of the Department of Public Works, prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for any portion of the proposed development. I. A Solid Waste Management Plan shall be submitted the Department of Environmental Management for review and approval. A copy of the approved plan shall be submitted to the Planning Department prior to the issuance of Final Plan Approval. J. All earthwork activity shall conform to Chapter 10, Erosion and Sedimentation Control, of the Hawaii County Code. K. Should any remains of historic sites, such as rock walls, terraces, platforms, marine shell concentrations or human burials be encountered, work in the immediate area shall cease and the Department of Land and Natural Resources — State Historic Preservation Division (DLNR-HPD) shall be immediately notified. Subsequent work shall proceed upon an archaeological clearance from the DLNR-SHPD when it finds that sufficient mitigation measures have been taken. L. The applicant shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and requirements of affected agencies including the Department of Public Works, Department of Environmental Management, and Department of Health for the proposed development. M. Should the Council adopt a Unified Impact Fees Ordinance setting forth criteria for imposition of exactions or the assessment of impact fees, conditions included herein shall be credited towards the requirements of the Unified Impact Fees Ordinance. -2- N. An initial extension of time for the performance of conditions within the ordinance may be granted by the Planning Director upon the following circumstances: The non-performance is the result of conditions that could not have been foreseen or are beyond the control of the applicant, successors or assigns, and that are not the result of their fault or negligence. 2. Granting of the time extension would not be contrary to the General Plan or Zoning Code. 3. Granting of the time extension would not be contrary to the original reasons for the granting of the change of zone. 4. The time extension granted shall be for a period not to exceed the period originally granted for performance (i.e., a condition to be performed within one year may be extended for up to one additional year). 5. If the applicant should require an additional extension of time, the Planning Director shall submit the applicant's request to the County Council for appropriate action. O. Should any of the conditions not be met or substantially complied with in a timely fashion, the Planning Director may initiate rezoning of the subject area to its original or more appropriate designation. -3- RV erizonSLU.doo- 11/18/03 COUNTY OF HAWAII PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION VERIZON HAWAII, INC. STATE LAND USE BOUNDARY AMENDMENT APPLICATION (SLU 03-0101 Upon careful review of the request, the Planning Director is recommending that a favorable recommendation for the State Land Use Boundary Amendment from the Agricultural to Urban District be forwarded to the County Council. This recommendation does not, however, sanction the specific plans submitted with the application as they may be subject to change given the specific code and regulatory requirements of the affected agencies. Since this recommendation is made without the benefit of public testimony, the Director reserves the right to modify and/or alter this position based upon additional information presented at the public hearing. This favorable recommendation is based on the following findings: The approval of the reclassification from the State Land Use Agricultural to the Urban District for approximately 2.821 acres will not be violative of Section 205- 2, Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes, nor will the reclassification actions be inconsistent with the Hawaii Land Use Commission Rules, the Hawaii State Plan and the County General Plan. The applicant is also requesting a concurrent change of zone from an Agricultural (A -1a) to Village Commercial (CV -10). The applicant is requesting a State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to Urban and a Change of Zone from Agricultural (A -1a) to Village Commercial (CV -10) for approximately 2.821 acres of land. As a regulated entity, Verizon is required to sell surplus property that is not being used to provide telecommunication services. By doing so, Verizon will be operating in a more efficient and cost effective manner. In some cases, vacant property is retained; however, extensive study has determined that additional surplus property is not required for current operations at this site. The applicant proposes to subdivide the property into two lots and retain the portion of the property containing the telecommunications switching facility (known as the Central Office), and sell the vacant surplus lot. No proposed development is associated with this request. According to the Hawaii Land Use Commission Rules, one of the standards for considering an area for urban reclassification states that "In determining urban growth for the next ten years, or in amending the boundary, lands contiguous with existing urban areas shall be given more consideration than non-contiguous lands, and particularly when indicated for future urban use on State or County General Plans." The subject property conforms to this standard as it abuts existing Urban designated lands. In addition to the subject property, there are only two other parcels, both adjacent to the site, in the State Land Use Agricultural District. All surrounding properties are designated Urban. The reclassification action would also complement the objectives and policies articulated in the Hawaii State Plan under Section 226.10.5, Information Industry. The request conforms to, among others, the Land Use, Economic and Public Utilities goals and policies of the General Plan. The request also conforms to the General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map which designates the area as High Density Urban. The LUPAG Map component of the General Plan is a representation of the document's goals, policies, standards and courses of action. It is also a graphic depiction of the physical relationship between the various land uses. The LUPAG Map establishes the basic urban and non- urban form for areas within the County. The High Density Urban designation includes commercial, multiple residential and related services (general and office commercial) and multiple residential up to 87 units per acre. The area under consideration is consistent with the urban form established for this area, as surrounding properties are in commercial uses. The urban classification also conforms to the standard that the development is within reasonable proximity to centers of trading and employment and to basic services such as schools, police and fire protection, transportation systems and water. The subject property is located near the corner of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Palani Road in Kailua-Kona and thereby conforms with the Land Use Commission -2- Rules which encourages urban developments in close proximity to existing services and facilities. Police services are located less than one mile from the property, and the Kailua Fire Station is located adjacent to the property. All essential utilities are available to the site. Access to the site is via Palani Road, a two-lane County road with a variable right- of-way width. There is a municipal sewer system in the area. According to a memo dated March 11, 2003 from the Department of Public Works Wastewater Division, the property is not connected to the public sewer system. The applicant has stated that there is a septic system on the site. The property has no severe geological or topographical problems which cannot be properly rectified or which would render the land unusable. The U.S. Corps of Engineers Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) designates the property as Zone "X", areas outside the 500 -year flood plain. The property slopes slightly in a westerly direction, and is the site of Verizon's Kona Central Office building. There are no existing drainageways on the site. The property is located approximately 2,800 feet from the coastline. Thus, the reclassification meets with the standard which states that the lands included within the urban district "... shall be those with satisfactory topography and drainage and reasonably free from the danger of floods, tsunami and unstable soil conditions and other adverse environmental effects." Urban Districts shall include lands characterized by "city -like" concentrations of people, structures, streets, urban level of services and other related land uses. Properties in the surrounding area are zoned General Commercial (CG -10, CG -20) and include the Makalapua Center (Macy's and K -Mart) to the north and Safeway and Wa1Mart to the east and south. The Kona Coast Shopping Center, which includes Ross's and other commercial retailers, is located makai of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway to the southwest, and zoned Village Commercial (CV -10). Thus, a number of commercial uses are already established in the area. As urban uses already exist in the immediate area, the urbanization of the subject property will not contribute towards scattered urban development. -3- While the subject property is within the State Land Use Agricultural and County's Agricultural (A -la) zoned districts, it is not currently being used for active agricultural purposes. The subject property, site of Verizon's Kona Central Office, is surrounded by lands in the State Land Use Urban district. The property is unclassified by the State of Hawaii ALISH Map. The Land Use Study Bureau's Overall Master Productivity Rating for the soils in the area is "E" or "Very Poor". Thus, the soil conditions within the site would preclude intensive agricultural activities from being conducted on the property. Therefore, the reclassification of this 2.821 -acre area from the Agricultural to the Urban designation will not be detrimental to the reduction of this area from the agricultural land inventory in the County of Hawaii. Furthermore, an Urban classification would conform with the standard which states that lands within the urban district "...shall be those with satisfactory topography and drainage and reasonably free from the danger of floods, tsunami and unstable soil conditions and other adverse environmental effects." Regarding traditional and customary Hawaiian rights: Investigation of valued resources: The applicant has submitted the following from which the Planning Commission can determine the valued cultural, historical and natural resources within the subject property: • A "Botanical Survey Verizon Hawaii Inc., Subdivision Project Kailua-Kona, North Kona District, Hawaii" by Char and Associates in May 2003. • A "Survey of Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian Species on the Verizon Hawaii, Inc. Lot TMK: (3)7-4-080:20 at Keahuolu, North Kona District, Hawaii" by Reginald E. David in April 2003. • An "Archaeological Inventory Survey in Support of the Proposed Verizon Office Subdivision Project, Keahuolu Ahupuaa, North Kona District, Island of Hawaii" by Cultural Surveys Hawaii, Inc., in April 2003. The valuable cultural historical and natural resources found in the rezoning area: The archaeological survey described above identified one new site (Site 50-10-28-23, 798) with three features: -4- Feature A - located in the northwest corner of the project area, consists of a faced platform and adjoining terrace constructed of large pahoehoe boulders. The feature is in good to poor condition and was probably used as a foundation for a temporary habitation structure in the pre -contact or early historic period. Feature B - a modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular outline of this feature and the uneven surface of the outcrop suggests that this feature was not used for habitation. The morphology of this feature is similar to other agricultural features in the area. This feature was possibly used as a temporary work area to make or maintain volcanic glass tools. Feature C - modified pahoehoe outcrop. This feature is a roughly oval, modified pahoehoe outcrop. The irregular shape of this feature and the uneven surface suggests that this feature was not used for habitation, but more likely as a planting area for dryland crops. The general area may also have been occasionally used as a workshop area to make or maintain tools. Besides the three features, no additional sites or features were observed during the inventory survey, and the survey recommends no further data collection for this site. This site is considered significant as it has yielded or is likely to yield information important for research on prehistory or history under Criterion D of "Rules Governing Procedures for Historic Preservation Review." The three features have been adequately recorded and tested, thus no further archaeological work is recommended for the site at this time. The survey recommends that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A due to the slight possibility that it contains a burial in the unexcavated portion. While the likelihood of encountering human remains or other significant cultural deposits is extremely low, in the unlikely event that deposits are encountered, all subsurface work should immediately cease, and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation should be promptly notified. The survey of avian and terrestrial mammalian species revealed three mammalian species, all alien to the Hawaiian Islands - the skeletal remains of a dog, cat and mongoose. No Hawaiian hoary bats were detected within, or close to the site. No -5- mammalian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs were detected during this survey. A total of twelve avian species representing eight separate families were recorded during the study. Avian species detected on the site include pigeons and doves, silvereyes, starlings, emberizids, saltators and allies, carduline finches and allies, old world sparrows and waxbills and allies, all alien species introduced to Hawaii. No avian species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed or as a candidate species under either the Federal or State of Hawaii endangered species programs was detected during the survey. The survey concluded that the habitat present on the study site has nothing to offer native avian or mammalian species. No native species were detected on the site, and it is unlikely that there is usage of the site by listed species - with the possible exception of occasional foraging above the site by Hawaiian hoary bats, "thus, there is nothing in the findings that would suggest that changing the zoning, or land use designation of a portion of TMK: (3)7-4-08: 20 will result in deleterious impacts to any listed mammalian or avian species known from the island of Hawaii." The botanical survey inventoried 27 species on the site. According to the survey, the vegetation on the property consists of koa haole shrubs, kiawe trees, lantana, hairy abutilon, indigo, African tulip, autograph tree, and lomona. Ground cover is denser along the lower section of the undeveloped portion. This area was bulldozed in the past and the pahoehoe substrate broken into smaller pieces. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the ground cover is composed of guinea grass and fameflower, and other grasses and shrubs include natal redtop grass, swollen fingergrass, garden spurge, false mallow, fuzzy rattlepod, 'uhaloa, barleria, and partidge pea and fountain grass. Only the 'uhaloa is considered a native species. A few vines of ivy gourd, wild bittermelon and field bindweed is also present on the site. According to the survey, the vegetation has been disturbed in the past by bulldozing and wildfires. Thus, there is very little species of botanical interest or concern on the site. None of the plants found during the field studies is a threatened and endangered species or a species of concern. Char and Associates concluded that the proposed project is not expected to have a significant negative impact 0 on botanical resources. Possible adverse effect or impairment of valued resources: According to the surveys submitted by the applicant, there does not appear to be any valued resources on the property. Native plants could be destroyed by construction and ground alteration. However, these plants are found in other similar habitats in the general area. The survey did not identify any threatened or endangered species on the site. The archaeological survey recommended that a qualified archaeologist be required to monitor construction activities in the vicinity of Feature A due to the slight possibility that it contains a burial in the unexcavated portion of the feature. If this recommendation is not followed, there may be a possibility that a burial may be destroyed. Feasible actions to protect native Hawaiianrights: The property is not proximate to the shoreline; therefore, gathering of marine life and coastal access is not an issue. It is not known whether the subject property or immediate surrounding area was previously used for the gathering of plants by native Hawaiians. No valued cultural, historical or natural resources exist on the property and there is no evidence of any traditional customary Native Hawaiian rights being practiced on the site. Thus, to the extent to which traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights are exercised, the proposed action will not affect traditional Hawaiian rights, and no action is necessary to protect those rights. In the highly unlikely event that legitimate gathering claims are made by native Hawaiians, the applicant should respect and honor such claims and provide the needed access within the site. Based on the above, the approval of the State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to the Urban District complements the State Land Use District Regulations and is supportive of the State of Hawaii Plan and the General Plan. Therefore, the Planning Director recommends a favorable consideration of the State Land Use Boundary Amendment. The accompanying draft bill to amend the State Land Use Boundaries Map H-7 for the County of Hawaii is included for your review and approval. -7-