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Home My WebLink About2024-06-12 Cultural Resources Commission Meeting Page 1 of 3 Cultural Resources Commission June 12, 2024 CULTURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES June 12, 2024 MEETING LOCATION: Hybrid in-person and interactive video conference through Zoom with live observation through YouTube. The in-person location was held at the Hilo Planning Department Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720. The full YouTube video of this hearing can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igM_usy9KSE COMMISSIONERS PRESENT VIA ZOOM: Matthew Clark (Chair), Natalie Kurashima (Vice Chair), Desmon Haumea (arrived at 10:09 a.m. and left at 10:20 a.m.), Roberta “Kuʻulei” Keakealani, Kealohanuiopuna Kinney, and Aaron Spielman. COMMISSIONERS EXCUSED: Nicole Lui and Scott Mahoney. ALSO PRESENT: Jean Campbell, Deputy Corporation Counsel; Kevin Sullivan, Planner; Kim Tanaka, Planner; and Ashley DeVera, Board Secretary. Chair Clark called the Cultural Resources Commission (CRC) meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. A quorum was established with six members in attendance. It was announced that pursuant to Act 220, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, which amended the Sunshine Law to allow meetings to be remotely conducted online, effective January 1, 2022, the Cultural Resources Commission meetings will be held online, with an in-person location for the public to provide testimony. The meeting can be viewed live online, and a link to YouTube can be located on the County website, as well as links to reports and surveys reviewed at this hearing. Commissioners were reminded that only one person may speak at a time and were asked to raise their hands to be recognized before speaking. Commissioners were asked to introduce themselves and in accordance with the Sunshine Law, identify any member(s) present within the household. All members reported being alone in their location except Commissioner Keakealani who identified one individual. Staff introductions were made. There were no addendums or supplemental agenda items. STATEMENT(S) FROM THE PUBLIC At 10:08 a.m., Chair Clark opened the floor to receive public testimony. Procedures for testimony were provided. There is a three-minute time limit on each agenda item; statements must relate to items on the agenda. Page 2 of 3 Cultural Resources Commission June 12, 2024 [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 3:22] No testifiers were present on Zoom or in person. Public testimony closed at 10:08 a.m. BUSINESS OF THE COMMISSION 1. Section 106 Review: Nānue Stream Bridge Rehabilitation, (PL-CRC-2024-000017) Location: Hawaiʻi Belt Road, Milemarker 18.5, Honohina & Nanue Ahupuaʻa, Hilo Moku, Hawaiʻi Island TMK: (3) 3-2-001:008 (staging area) & (3) 3-2-001:999 (HDOT R.O.W.) [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 4:11] This agenda item was called to order at 10:09 a.m. There was one team member from the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) and one team member from Honua Consulting in attendance. There were no members of the public present and no public testimony provided. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 5:24] A presentation was provided by Kevin Sullivan. The Nānue Stream Bridge was originally constructed in 1911 and then reconstructed in 1952. It is the tallest bridge on the Island of Hawaiʻi and in the State. This steel trestle bridge is one of six bridges located on the Hāmākua Coast and the Hawaiʻi Belt Road District. It is associated with the sugar plantation industry, Hilo Railroad Company and their three founders, and Post-War Hawaiʻi Belt Road District. The State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) concurred with the Area of Potential Effect (APE) and has no objections. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 6:52] The repair and rehabilitation are planned to abide by the Secretary of Interior Standards for the treatment of historic properties. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and HDOT plan on implementing mitigation measures to retain the original appearance and integrity of the bridge by replacing in-kind steel components that have corroded: concrete deck, bridge railings, column pedestals and foundation; addressing deficiencies for the bridge foundations to maintain the original substructure; cleaning and painting the steel members following the repairs to a near resemblance of the original bridge. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 7:58] Under Section 106, staff found that SHPD approved the APE and the Nānue Stream Bridge is the only known historic structure in the APE. There are no staff recommendations or request for additional consulting parties. The archaeological monitoring plan will occur within the APE, and FHWA and SHPD concurs with the “no adverse effect”. The repair and rehabilitation will be completed and consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s standards. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 9:38] Chair Clark asked if there was a survey done within the staging area for any cultural sites. Trisha Kehaulani Watson from Honua Consulting responded, there was an archaeological monitoring plan that was deemed sufficient. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 10:36] Chair Clark requested for a motion. Commissioner Haumea motioned for staff to issue a supportive Section 106 letter for this project; seconded by Commissioner Spielman. No discussion occurred. A roll call vote was taken and passed unanimously with six aye votes (Haumea, Spielman, Kurashima, Kinney, Keakealani, Clark). Page 3 of 3 Cultural Resources Commission June 12, 2024 This matter concluded at 10:18 a.m. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 1. Approval of minutes of the meeting held on May 8, 2024. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 13:48] Commissioner Spielman motioned to approve the minutesas circulated; seconded by Commissioner Keakealani. No discussion occurred. The minutes wereapproved without opposition with a unanimous aye voice vote. 2.Next meeting tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, 2024. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 14:40] Kevin Sullivan stated there are currently no agenda itemsfor July and our next meeting will be in August. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 14:55] Kevin Sullivan mentioned Hilo Memorial Hospital has been going under repair and rehabilitation by the County Office of Housing and Community Development. The Planning Department, on behalf of the CRC, sent out an administrative approval letter to undergo minor repairs, such as the roof. They will come before the CRC for future exterior architectural work. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP – 14:57] Commissioner Haumea left the meeting at this time. Quorum was confirmed with five remaining participating commissioners. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Keakealani and seconded by Vice Chair Kurashima. The meeting was adjourned at 10:21 a.m. with a unanimous aye vote. Respectfully Submitted, Ashley DeVera, Board Secretary ATTEST: Matthew Clark, Chairman Cultural Resources Commission