HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0476.001 2004-2006 YY 0/ r,-
Harry Kim ~ William Takaba
Mavor Director
Nancy E. Crawford
.•'r~ Depury Ovector
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County of Hawaii
Finance Department
25 Aupunf Street, Room 118 Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(BOR)961-8234 Fax (808)961-R248
November 8, 2005
Stacy Higa, Chairman, and
Members of the Hawaii County Council
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupunf Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Subject: Resolution 186-OS
Proposed sale of Kililciua Street Property, TMK: (3) 2-3-30:04
Subsequent to the recommendation of the Committee on Finance on October 17, 2005 to adopt
Resolution 186-05, I was made aware of plans by the County of Hawaii in 1970 to establish a
wilderness park on the subject property. I also received concerns on the proposed sale from
persons living in the surrounding area.
According to the County Park Planner at the time, the plans for the proposed Kaumana Springs
Wilderness Park were not pursued due to lack of funds. The Wilderness Park was to include the
entire 60.05 acres of this property plus adjacent State land for a total of about 117 acres of
undeveloped land.
Atter locating the file on the Wilderness Park, I was able to review its contents with Planning
Director, Chris Yuen. The file contained an "Enviromnental Assessment and Negative
Declaration for the Kaumana Springs Wilderness Park" (Walters, Kimura and Associates, Inc.),
which included an "Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of Proposed Kaumana Springs
Wilderness Park" (Department of Anthropology, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, 1978).
Although the Environmental Assessment reported that "the proposed facility is expected to result
in an overall net benefit to the physical and social environment of Hilo," it provided details on
the physical conditions of the property and described flooding conditions during heavy rains.
The Archaeological Survey reported the presence of a "pre-historic type agricultural complex in
the interior portions of the Kaumana Springs Wilderness Park, with some historic-period remains
in the peripheral areas." Although the report concludes that "Since the types of cultural
resources present are fairly common and research potential is minimal, further investigation is
not imperative."
Comm. No.~7
Ref. To: ~539!!'~MI
Re+f. Late tiny
Stacy Higa, Chairman
Page Two
November 8, 2005
Although Planning Director Yuen stated that any proposed development of the subject property
would need to address findings in the reports, the administration feels that it would be premature
to sell the property at this time. I respectfully request the County Council to defer Resolution
186-05. The administration does not intend to sell the property until we are satisfied that the
environmental, archaeological, and public concerns are fully addressed.
Should you have any questions or need further information, please contact me. We apologize for
the inconvenience that this matter has caused you. Thank you very much
i
i vlulr
William Tak ba
Director
cc: Pat Engelhard
Chris Yuen
APPROVED:
Harry Kim
~ Mayor