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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-2021 State DLNR-SHPD Agency Comments (Kumu Hou Project) SUZANNE D.CASE Q C CIIAB ERSON DAVID Y.IGE '� 4 BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES GOVERNOR OF HAWAII i[P N�g�9.p 9% COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT V, e l ROBERTK MASUDA c i FMSTDEPUTY end and L M KALEOMANUEL DEPUTY DMCTOR-WATER it AQUATIC RESOURCES BOATINGANDOCEANRECREATION BUREAU OF CONVEYANCES COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION AND COASTAL LANDS STATE OF HAWAII CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT ENGAIEERAIG FORESTRY AND WMDLIFElate ofVAOIDEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES KAIIOOLAW ISLAND E R:OMMISSION LAND STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION DIVISION STATE PARKS KAKUHIIIEWA BUILDING 601 KAMOKILA BLVD,STE 555 KAPOLEI,HAWAII 96707 November 15,2021 IN REPLY REFER TO: Zendo Kern,Director Project No.2021PR00971 Planning Department Doc.No.2111 SN05 County of Hawaii Archaeology 101 Pauahi Street,Suite 3 Hilo,HI 96720 plannin hawaiicouj&. oovv Dear Mr.Kern: SUBJECT: Chapter 6E-42 Historic Preservation Review County of Hawaii Special Management Area(SMA)Use Permit Application Change of Zone(COZ)Applications Kumu Hou at Waikoloa Project Archaeological Inventory Survey Waikoloa Ahupua`a,South Kohala District,Island of Hawaii TMK:(3)6-9-008:022,025,033,and Portions of(3)6-9-008:012,021,027-029 and 031 This letter provides the State Historic Preservation Division's (SHPD's) review of the subject County of Hawaii SMA Use Permit and change of zone applications received by our office on August 13, 2021 and a supporting archaeological inventory survey (AIS)report titled,Draft Archaeological Inventory Survey TAX.- (3) 6-9-008:022, 025, 033 and Portions of(3) 6-9-008:013, 021, 027-029 and 031, Waikoloa Ahupua`a,South Kohala District,Island of Hawaii (Haan and Henry, revised October 2021). The initial submittal included the SMA and COZ permit application, photos, a draft AIS (dated May 2021) and construction plan for the proposed project (Submission No. 2021PR00971.001). Subsequent submissions included revised drafts of the AIS report (Submission Nos. 202IPR00971.001 and .002)and,following consultation, SHPD received on October 4,2021 the final revised draft (Haan and Henry, October 2021) which incorporated comments provided by Na Ala Hele and the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail Program(Submission Nos.2021PR00971.003 through.005). The applicant/landowner, the Waikoloa Land Company (WLC), seeks the County's approval of four SMA Major Use Permit applications,and two COZ applications.The submittal indicates that the permits include the following: 1. SMA Application # 1: to withdraw the Project Area from SMA 25 (excluding the 0.9-acre portion of Puakala Place that will provide access to Area A).This is an area of f 182.9-acres. 2. SMA Applications#2,#3 and#4:to implement new"Master" SMA Major Use Permits covering all lands that were withdrawn from SMA 25 by the first SMA application: a. Application#2 will address f 38.6 acres of land defined herein as Area A(71/72); b. Application#3 will address f 7.3 acres of land defined herein as Area A(L2);and c. Application#4 will address f 136.9 acres of land defined herein as Areas Band C. 3. COZ Application#1:to approve four rezoning requests in Area A: a. f 16.0 acres from Open to RM-6; b. f 3.3 acres from Open to RS-10; c. f 22.6 acres from RM-8 to RM-6;and d. f 4.1 acres from RM-8 to RS-10. Mr.Kern November 15,2021 Page 2 4. COZ Application#2:to approve four rezoning requests in Area B: a. f 95.3 acres from Open to Project District; b. f 21.7 acres from RM-8 to Project District; c. f 0.2 acres from RM-4 to Project District; d. f 12.0 acres from RM-6 to Project District;and e. f 4.5 acres from CV-10 to Project District. The Master SMA Major Use Permits being sought would permit the development of the proposed new facilities and amenities. The requested new SMA permits would also allow WLC or other existing or future landowners in the Project Area to upgrade, repair, maintain, and operate existing or future facilities in the Kumu Hou Project Area. The various COZ applications are necessary for implementation of the Kumu Hou Master Plan. Kumu Hou will encompass 1,189 residential and visitor units, all of which have LUC and SMA approvals in place, and a new brackish water irrigation system. The plan would result in no more development than what is already entitled with the LUC and SMA approvals. Project Description Kumu Hou is located within Waikoloa Beach Resort, in Anaeho`omalu Ahupua`a, South Kohala District, Island of Hawaii. The Resort encompasses f 1,353 acres between Queen Ka`humanu Highway and the Pacific Ocean. TMK parcels included by Kumu Hou total approximately f 362.7 acres, including all or portions of TMK: (3) 6-9-008: 013, 021, 022, 025, 027, 028, 029, 031, and 033. Within these TMKs, the areas planned for development involve f 182.9 acres and are referred to herein as the Project Area. The WLC development within the Waikoloa Beach Resort project area involves three areas which WLC has designated as Areas A, B and C. Area A consists of an approximately 45.9-acre portion of the King's Course golf course, of which 9 of the 18 golf courses holes will be repurposed for timeshare, single-family residential and community use. Area B is an approximately 133.8-acre area containing a portion of the King's Course golf course seaward of the Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway and north of Waikoloa Beach Drive that is slated for the construction of 900 additional timeshare units,related support and community facilities, updated golf amenities, and new public parks and trails.Area C is an approximately 3.1-acre area located at the north end of the proposed development area that will be used for a brackish water irrigation system. Findings At the request of the WLC,Hann and Associates conducted an archaeological inventory survey (AIS)that included summaries of the archaeological and historical history, oral histories and mo`olelo pertaining to the area, the post- contact history throughout Kohala and the vicinity of the current project area. The AIS also includes a summary of previous archaeological studies in the vicinity of the current project area. Of these,the earliest are Reinecke(1930), Barrera(1971),Kirch(1979),and Hommon(1982).A total of 40 additional project reviews have been conducted in the general vicinity of the project area. These include field inspections, reconnaissance surveys, archaeological inventory surveys, data recovery and monitoring projects, site preservation plans and archaeological mitigation programs, located in `Anaeho`omalu, Kalahuipua`a, Pu`u-anahulu, and Lalamilo areas. These studies comprised more than 7,300 acres and identified 483 sites and more than 9,440 features. Sites documented in the area include petroglyphs and features associated with the quarrying and production of abraders.Habitation sites are dominated by cave and overhang shelters,and surface architecture consisting of C-shapes and enclosures,primarily occupied on a temporary basis. Fishponds,burial caves,trails, and small ritual sites have also been documented. Most of the sites are concentrated along the coast especially near sheltered bays and coves and the fishponds. The AIS fieldwork for the current proposed project included portions of the project area occupied by existing golf course fairways that were examined by the careful inspection of all isolated pockets of lava. The remaining portions of the project area were examined with crew members spaced at ten (10) meter intervals. The ground surface visibility was excellent due to the absence of vegetation. Fourteen (14) sites were identified within the current project area that consisted of 417 features. Most of the features are associated with the procurement of natural resources. Mr.Kern November 15,2021 Page 3 The 14 sites include nine sites identified during previous archaeological studies: Site Number Type Features Function 50-10-10-26869 Complex 10 Temporary habitation,Resource procurement,Tool manufacture 50-10-11-26871 Complex 6 Transportation,marker 50-10-10-26872 Complex 30 Resources procurement 50-10-10-26873 Complex 16 Temporary habitation,Resource procurement,Tool manufacture,Transportation 50-10-10-26874 Complex 51 Temporary habitation,Resource procurement,Tool manufacture 50-10-10-26875 Lava Blister 1 Resource procurement 50-10-11-26876 Complex 16 Temporary habitation,Resource procurement,Transportation 50-10-11-26877 Complex 14 Temporary habitation,Marker,Resource procurement 50-10-10-26878 Complex 13 Temporary habitation,Resource procurement 50-10-10-31230 Complex 5 Transportation 50-10-10-31231 Complex 2 Resource procurement,Tool manufacture 50-10-10-31232 Complex 10 Tool manufacture 50-10-10-31233 Complex 3 Temporary habitation 50-10-10/11-31234 Complex 240 Resource procurement The report (Haan and Henry, October 2021) indicates that based on previous consultation with SHPD concerning archaeological preserves in the area during the review for a previous project(Haan and Henry 2017),research was undertaken to provide a context for the evaluation of sites in the area based on areas already within the archaeological preserves.The research indicated that there are 17 archeological preserves located in`Anaeho`omalu, Kalahuipua`a, Pu`u-anahulu, Waikoloa, and Lalamilo areas. These preserves consist over 5,350-acres and almost 5,900 features. The features within these preserves include petroglyphs,habitation area,caves,cairns,trails,burials, ponds,ceremonial sites,and quarry sites.The presence and preservation measures of these sites within these existing preservation areas provided a basis for the proposed treatment recommendation of no further work based on similar sites already in preservation within these reserves. All sites within the current project area have been assessed for integrity and determined to be significant under Criterion d. The mapping, written descriptions, and photographs of 11 of the 14 sites (Sites 26869, 26872, 26874 through 26878, and 31231 through 31234)provide sufficient documentation and,the report recommends no further work or preservation for these sites.Based on consultation with Na Ala Hele and the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail Program, the Site 26871 trail and portions of the Site 31230 trail are recommended for preservation. The preserved portions of Site 31230 will consist of Features A-D and the well-defined portions of Feature E. The remainder of Feature E will be memorialized as a series of dots or markers across the landscaped and paved parking area. The ephemeral Feature F, possible trail, is not recommended for preservation. Additionally, at the request of the the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail Program, Site 26873 is also recommended for preservation. The WLC is amenable to these preservation measures. A preservation plan for Sites 26871, 26873, and 31230 will be prepared for SHPD review and approval. Determination SHPD agrees with the site integrity and significance assessments provided in the AIS (Haan and Henry, October 2021). The report indicates that the proposed development activities will have no effect on 11 of the 14 historic properties (Sites 26869, 26872, 26874 through 26878, and 31231 through 31234). The three remaining sites (Sites 26871,26873,and 31230)are recommended for preservation. The AIS (Haan and Henry, October 2021) meets the minimum requirements of HAR §13-276-5. It is accepted. Please send two hard copies of the report, clearly marked FINAL, along with a text-searchable PDF copy of the report and a copy of this review letter to the Kapolei SHPD office,attention SHPD library.Please also submit a text- searchable PDF copy of the report to HICRIS Project No. 202IPR00971 using the Project Supplement option,and a PDF copy of the report to SHPD at Lehua.K.Soaresk!awaii.gov. SHPD's project effect determination is "Effect, with agreed upon mitigation commitments" for the proposed proposed project. SHPD agrees with mitigation in the form of preservation for the three historic properties, Sites 26871, 26873, and 31230. As stipulated in HAR §13-284-7, when SHPD comments that a project will result in Mr.Kern November 15,2021 Page 4 "Effect, with agreed upon mitigation commitments," then detailed mitigation plans shall be developed for SHPD review and acceptance prior to project work commencing. SBPD looks forward to receiving for review and acceptance a preservation plan for Sites 26871,26873,and 31230 that meets the minimum requirements of HRS §13-277. Please submit the report and review fee to HICRIS Project No.2021 PR00971. SHPD shall notify the County when the preservation plan has been accepted, and the permit issuance process may proceed. Please contact Sean Naleimaile at(808)933-7653 or at sean.p.naleimaile&!awaii.gov for any questions or concerns regarding this letter. Aloha, ,419e Wee/- Alan S.Downer,PhD Administrator,State Historic Preservation Division Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer cc: Tracie-Lee Camero,tracie-lee.camerok!awaiiconm. og•v Christian Kay,christian.kay_&hawaiicoiM.gov Ann Bouslog,abouslogkpbrhawaii.com Alan Hann,ahaunAb unandassociates.com