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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-23 Draft ArchMonitorPlan Archaeological Monitoring Plan for the Kawaihae Road Replacement of Waiaka Bridge and Realignment of Approaches Project Waimea, Lalamilo and Keanuiomano ahupuaa, South Kohala District, Hawaii Island TMKs: (3) 6-5-001:015 (por.); (3) 6-5-001:033 (por.), (3)6-6-001:011, (3) 6-6-004:099 (Kawaihae Road Right-of-Way), (3) 6-6-009:999 (Kohala Mountain Road Right-of-Way) Prepared by State of Hawaii Department of Transportation Honolulu, Hawaii May 23, 2025 Introduction Project Background This archaeological monitoring plan (AMP) was completed by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) in support of the Kawaihae Road Replacement of Wai'aka Bridge and Realignment of Approaches Project (Ref. No. HDA-HI, Federal Aid Project No. BR-NH-019- 1[045]), TMKs: (3)6-5-001:015 (por.) and 033 (por.), 6-6-001:011, 6-6-004:999 (Kawaihae Road Right-of-Way), 6-6-009:999 (Kohala Mountain Road Right-of-Way), and in accordance with Special Provision 212 Archaeological Monitoring of the 2005 Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction. On July 21, 2021, HDOT, on behalf of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), initiated consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act(NHPA) of 1966, as amended (2006), for the subject bridge rehabilitation project, and requested the State Historic Preservation Officer's (SHPO) concurrence on the proposed Area of Potential Effect (APE),pursuant to Section 106 of the NHPA and Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), § 800.4(a)(1). On August 18, 2021, the SHPO responded that they had no objections to the approximately 7.3-acre APE as defined in the request and they referred the HDOT to the Native Hawaiian Organization Notification List for consultation efforts (Project No.: 2021 PR00849, Doc No.: 2108 SH06). On February 3, 2022, HDOT, on behalf of the FHWA, continued consultation with the SHPO and requested concurrence and revised the APE for the proposed project from approximately 7.3 acres to approximately 6.6 acres pursuant to Section 106 of the NHPA and Title 36 of the CFR, § 800.4(a)(1). On March 7, 2022, the SHPO responded that they had no objections to the revised APE as defined in the request(Project No.: 2021PR00849, Doc No.: 2203SH05). On May 13, 2024, HDOT, on behalf of the FHWA, requested the SHPO's concurrence with a project effect determination of adverse effect pursuant to Section 106 of the NHPA and Title 36 of the CFR, § 800.5. On July 17, 2024,the SHPO responded that they had insufficient information to concur with FHWA's effect determination of adverse effect for the subject project and requested additional information (Project No.: 2021PR00849, Doc No.: 2407SL03). On January 29, 2025, HDOT, on behalf of the FHWA,provided the additional information requested by the SHPO, and once again requested the SHPO's concurrence with a project effect determination of adverse effect pursuant to Section 106 of the NHPA and Title 36 of the CFR, § 800.5. On February 19, 2025, the SHPO once again requested additional information to reach concurrence on the effect determination (Project No.: 2021PR00849, Doc No.: 2502SH08). Subsequently, on February 28, 2025, following a request for further clarity by HDOT, the SHPO concurred with FHWA's determination that the proposed undertaking would have an adverse effect on Wai`aka Bridge pursuant to 36 CFR § 800.5(a), and requested further consultation with FHWA on a Memorandum of Agreement(MOA)to identify appropriate mitigation for the effect(Project No.: 2021PR00849, Doc No.: 2502JLP01). In March of 2025, HDOT, on behalf of the FHWA and in consultation with the SHPO, prepared a draft MOA to mitigate the replacement of Waiaka Bridge. As recommended in a Historic Properties Report in Support ofNHPA Section 106 and Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 6E-8 Review of the Waiaka Bridge Replacement and Roadway Realignment Project (Barna, April 2023), due to the culturally sensitive nature of the project area and in anticipation of HRS Chapter 6E-8 review of the subject project by the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD), HDOT has prepared this archaeological monitoring plan in accordance with Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) § 13-277 for precautionary and identification purposes. Project Area The approximately 6.6-acre project area for the Kawaihae Road Replacement of Waiaka Bridge and Realignment of Approaches Project is located along Kawaihae Road and Kohala Mountain Road in the South Kohala District on the Island of Hawaii (Figures 1,2, and 3). Much of the project area is included in the rights-of-way for the Kawaihae and Kohala Mountain Roads (TMKs: [3] 6- 6-004:999 and 6-6-009:999), which have asphaltic concrete paved road surfaces and unpaved shoulders. Undeveloped portions of two privately-owned parcels located on the north side of Kawaihae Road (TMKs: [3] 6 5 001:015 and 033, belonging to Hawaii Preparatory Academy and the Steven Kittel Trust, respectively) where a temporary bypass bridge and road will be built are also included in the project area. Both parcels currently contain grassy vegetation with a thick stand of Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) growing along their shared boundary. Finally, a portion of a State-owned parcel (TMK: [3] 6-6-001:011) located along the southern edge of Kawaihae Road to the east of where the roadwork will occur may be used as a staging area. This parcel is currently covered with low grassy vegetation. Project Activities The proposed project includes replacing the existing Waiaka Bridge, located at mile marker 58.88 along Kawaihae Road(State Route 19), in accordance with the design guidelines of the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, as adopted by the HDOT for highway projects. The purpose of the proposed project is to bring Waiaka Bridge up to current standards for roadway width, load capacity, bridge railings, and bicycle and pedestrian access. It involves replacing the existing Waiaka Bridge, realigning the roadway approaches to create a smooth transition to the replacement bridge and reconfiguring the Kawaihae Road and Kohala Mountain Road intersection to a roundabout. The replacement bridge will accommodate two travel lanes, a shoulder/bike lane, and a raised sidewalk. The approaches will be realigned to facilitate a smooth transition to the replacement bridge as well as accommodate a roundabout at the Kawaihae Road and Kohala Mountain Road (State Route 250) intersection. The overall project will consist of the following activities: • Bridge Replacement: The existing 38-foot-long by 26-foot-wide with a 3-foot-wide pedestrian walkway bridge will be replaced with an approximately 80-foot-long by 53-foot-wide bridge. The replacement bridge will include two 12-foot-wide travel lanes and a raised concrete shared-use path. • Realignment of Approaches: The realignment of approaches will affect sections of Kawaihae Road and Kohala Mountain Road. The realignment will extend beyond the existing right-of-way and will require land acquisition from adjacent landowners. • Intersection Improvements: The intersection improvements will include a one-lane roundabout. • Temporary Bypass Bridge and Road: A temporary bypass bridge and road will be constructed to ensure continuous vehicular use during construction activities. , 21'7000 N N AGi.:11 Keoniki H AWAI I COUNTY l'-' , , Hawaii an i-r- - Area of detail Homeland . —.5, 0 100 200 V . CI Km f \\\\ ... - 9 AWAY COUNTY I 1.7.AA1 HAWAII COUNTY ,_..., TI'FI 1' .f w.;':II Fi r 'V 71 0 LANIKECo pi, 63... Halo Tha TT 7\7 T7 TIC °."1111111111111 ':5 ..-.-. . . . .,,I.. . .. Mama° Hawaiian Home Land ,s.,T),H/a Mmani .... HAWAII COUNTY ._ HAWAII COUNTY , .. Portion of USGS 7.5 Quadrangle Kamuela,1-11 2017 0 200 400 0 Project area Meters .1 I 1 I 217000 moon 219000 Figure 1. Project area location. 1 j 3 I a r I 4 i !1I y m � '�i 4 O � ii 3 I W m W 4 Y I w Lu W I a rroe ccI ,.,,,,"' i , l I t E ,,i m t i i 4 70 en CO /// , I m m , $ 3 76 3 o-s 'S ........,4,,,, w 4. r.„i,,,iiti. ....,, 4.1,„ / 3 N I\ •CAM p , 4 \ 3 �- `/" , \se ct ;." \ u U \ O C v, \ a \ N \ \ 0 bA w ", 4 •4 4 �., iltri ' rn „; ,.r ,...„,,, , ,if.t , . ti \". : :.4 .4 , !tin ill i +IIi• T 111.114—. � rmY I. r. • on r • Ct U i CD I ,1 .,i, ..1 I ja bq illir Vr 4, tOCD y r ilk ,,, 4: „':' S, 4* I . Archaeological Monitoring Provisions HAR § 13-279-4, requires that each monitoring plan discuss eight specific questions. The monitoring provisions below address these requirements for archaeological monitoring within the current project area. 1)Anticipated Properties: Prior archaeological studies (Barna 2023; Corbin 2007; Haun& Associates 2003; Haun et al. 2002a; Haun et al. 2002b; Sinoto 1998; Thompson and Rosendahl 1992) have resulted in the identification and documentation of two historic properties within the current project area(Sites 50-10-06-23313 and 50-10-06-29221) (Figure 4). Site 23313 is a concrete foundation located in Keanuiomano Stream. Haun et al. (2002) initially interpreted this site as the foundation of a water pump and assessed it as significant under Criterion d for the information it yielded relative to historic land use. Site 29221 is the Waiaka Bridge, which is assessed as significant under Criteria c and d as a good example of a modest reinforced concrete slab bridge that embodies "[t]he distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction" and as the first Federal Aid bridge constructed on Hawaii Island(Log No. 2011.2731, Doc. No. 1108MA05). It is also assessed to be significant under Criterion d for the information it has yielded relative to historic land use. A third site (Site 50-10-06-22632), located adjacent to the current project area, consists of a pre-contact to early historic period agricultural complex that was initially identified by (Haun et al. 2002a) and documented in more detail by Haun et al. (2002b). That site was previously assessed as significant under Criteria a, c, and d. All three of these sites are discussed in an archaeological survey report prepared for the current project by Barna(2023), along with the former location of the 1865 Waiaka Catholic Church. Site 50-10-06-22632, a pre-contact to early historic period agricultural complex, is located adjacent to the project area in an area where no development activities associated with the proposed project will occur(Barna 2023). Site 50-10-06-23313, which Haun et al. (2002) had documented as a concrete foundation for a pump, was reassessed by Barna(2023) and interpreted as the Keanuiomano Stream Gage (United States Geological Survey [USGS] 16756500), which was constructed in 1955 and remains in use today (Figures 1 and 2). A condition update for Site 50-10-06-29221, the Waiaka Bridge, which will be replaced as a result of the current project and mitigated through the implementation of an MOA is provided in the Barna(2023)report. Additionally, the former location of the 1865 Waiaka Catholic Church, which burned down in 1900 and was rebuilt in 1916 before being moved to a new site near the intersection of Kawaihae Road and Lindsey Road, was identified by Barna(2023) as possibly being within the project area, but could not be positively identified and therefore not assigned an SIHP designation. As a result of the Barna(2023) identification effort, Site 50-10-06-23313, the USGS Keanuiomano Stream gaging station, was assessed as not significant. Site 50-10-06- 29221, the Waiaka Bridge, was assessed as significant under Criterion c and d. 2) Locations of Historic Properties: The archaeological fieldwork, documentary research, and consultation conducted for the current proposed project by Barna (2023) resulted in the identification of four historic properties within and adjacent the current project area(Table 1 and Figure 4). The Waiaka Catholic Church is depicted on a map prepared in 1887 (Hawaii Registered Map No. 673) as being located in the vicinity of the project area on the north side of Kawaihae Road, perhaps within the Hawaii Preparatory Academy campus on TMK: (3) 6-5-001:033, however, the location of the original structure is currently unknown. The agricultural terrace complex (Site 50-10-06-22632) has features that were recorded immediately adjacent to the project area (see Figure 3), but not in an area where any construction activities are proposed. The Keanuiomano Stream gauging station (Site 50-10-06-23313) is located in Keanuiomano Stream (see Figure 1). The Waiaka Bridge is located at the intersection of Kawaihae Road (State Route 19) and Kohala Mountain Road (State Route 250) (see Figure 1). Table 1. Historic properties identified within and adjacent to the current project area. SIHP Site No. Property Temporal Affiliation N/A Waiaka Catholic Church 1865 50-10-06-22632 Agricultural Complex Precontact/early Historic Period 50-10-06-23313 Keanuiomano Stream Gauge 1955 50-10-06-29221 Waiaka Bridge 1932 �, }�y 1pplmim,Itc Ioc.iuou ,Il! "", s c ,y_\ of Nat,11,1(atholii(Bloch ^ ^ Pk Sit 37? ti Irv. • see 1 IL 2 221,...... "..mow.: a - _ h �. r.IliSw - — dy Ferl Ltlres of , __ _ i :M . —El SitcL'632 ... ,...✓^R,s ,k —..... +�ne'ay1+ s�E w -'' �J N I Er ... - Eil -, . .r . . .... At ❑Prol«t.ul.t - P 'y1F WVeb Map Service data provided by USDA-FPAC_ Images provided© 921 Nigh; Technologies Inc- _ `i Figure 4. Location of historic properties within and adjacent to the project area. 3) Fieldwork: On-site (full-time, 100%) archaeological monitoring will be conducted for all project-related ground disturbance, with one archaeological monitor present per machine. The archaeologist will monitor ground disturbing work from as close as safely possible to ensure sufficient visual inspection. Should potential historic properties be discovered during archaeological monitoring, the archaeologist shall temporarily halt project work in the area to assess the find and document it according to this plan. In the event of potentially significant findings, the SHPD will be consulted prior to work resuming in the area of the find. Trenches will also be recorded on a USGS map. Profiles will be photographed and noted on a construction map, if available. Photographs will include a professional-grade north arrow and photo scale to clearly illustrate orientation and dimensions of excavations. Sampling will include the collection of representative artifacts and bulk sediments samples, as determined appropriate. Sub-meter accurate Global Positioning System (GPS) data will be collected and reported for any significant findings, including site boundaries, features, and/or in situ artifacts, should any be encountered. GPS data will be recorded for each trench from a single central point. If human skeletal remains (HSR) are encountered during this project, work will immediately halt in the location of the find. If the find is encountered in situ, the archaeologist will secure the find from further disturbance. The archaeologist will report the find to the Principal Archaeologist, Steele Jaques at ASM Affiliates, and Andrew Hirano, HDOT Design Project Manager. HDOT Project Manager will report the find to SHPD, the Hawaii Police Department, and the medical examiner. Upon report of an inadvertent discovery of HSR, SHPD shall do the following: 1. Assure that all activity in the immediate area of the HSR ceases and that appropriate action to protect the integrity and character of the burial site from damage is undertaken; 2. Assure that a representative of the medical examiner or coroner's office and qualified archaeologist determines whether the human skeletal remains are over fifty years old; 3. Conduct a site inspection where necessary; 4. Gather sufficient information including oral tradition by seeking individuals who may have knowledge about the families possibly connected with the inadvertently discovered HSR; 5. Complete departmental inadvertent discovery forms and submit them to HDOT; 6. Notify the council member who represents the geographic region where ethe HSR were discovered and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; 7. Inform the landowner of the discovery if different from the person making report; and 8. And determine whether to preserve in place or relocate the HSR. In the event that a single burial occurs, SHPD has two (2) working days to complete items No. 1 to No. 8 above and (3) days if there are multiple burials. A statutory time period may be extended upon voluntary written consent of the landowner. Subsequent steps in the inadvertent process can be viewed at HAR § 13-13-300. Work in the immediate area of the find shall not resume until SHPD provides HDOT written approval. As requested by the SHPD (letter dated February 19, 2025; Project No. 2021PR00849, Doc No.: 2502SH08) orange construction fencing will be placed to mark the southern edge of the area proposed for road improvement prior to the start of ground disturbing activities for the project, to keep machinery from leaving the construction area and inadvertently impacting any features of Site 50-10-06-22632. The orange construction fencing will be placed at least 15 feet from the boundaries of Site 50-10-06-22632 and verified in writing to SHPD by the principal archaeologist prior to the start of work. 4)Archaeologist's Role: Field archaeologists have the authority to stop work immediately in the area of any findings so that documentation can proceed, and appropriate treatment can be determined. In addition, the archaeologist will have the authority to slow and/or suspend construction activities to ensure necessary archaeological documentation can be conducted. 5) Coordination Meeting: Prior to working on site, all on-site construction personnel shall receive sensitivity training and an orientation over the requirements of this plan, conducted by the archaeologist. The sensitivity training will include a brief discussion regarding the types of cultural deposits which may be encountered,where cultural deposits may be encountered,the steps to take if encountered, and will familiarize all personnel with the stipulations outlined herein. At this meeting the archaeological monitor will emphasize their authority to temporarily halt construction and state that all finds (including artifacts such as bottles) are the property of the landowner and may not be removed from the construction site. At this time, it will also be made clear that the archaeologist must be on-site during all subsurface excavation. The archaeologist will keep a log of the date and name of all persons who received the training and provide it to the Principal Archaeologist, Steele Jaques at ASM Affiliates,and Andrew Hirano, HDOT Design Project Manager following the completion of monitoring, to be included in the archaeological monitoring report as an appendix. 6) Laboratory Work: Laboratory work shall occur to further document any finds during the project and will be conducted in accordance with HAR § 13-13-279-5(6). Laboratory analysis of non-burial related finds will be tabulated, and standard artifact and midden recording will be conducted as follows. Artifacts will be documented as to provenience, measurements, weight, type of material, and presumed function. If specialists are required to satisfactorily identify, process, and/or document archaeological data, the Principal Investigator is responsible for ensuring this occurs. Scaled curation-quality photographs of all artifacts will be taken and included in the archaeological monitoring report. Faunal bone and shell midden materials will be sorted down to species, when possible, and then tabulated by provenience. As appropriate, collected charcoal material obtained within intact cultural deposits will be analyzed for species identification. Charcoal samples ideal for dating analyses will be subjected to wood identification prior to being sent to Beta Analytic,Inc. for radiocarbon dating.If appropriate, artifacts may be sent to the University of Hawaii-Hilo Geoarchaeology Lab for Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence analysis in order to identify and possibly geographically locate the source material. All analyzed samples, provenience information, and results will be presented in table form within the archaeological monitoring report. 7) Report Preparation: A brief end-of-fieldwork letter report will be submitted within 30 days of completion of fieldwork in accordance with HAR § 13-282-3(f)(1). This letter report is for the purpose of providing SHPD with a summary of monitoring findings. Within 60 days of the end of field work, an archaeological monitoring report meeting the requirements HAR § 13-13-279-5 will be prepared by an archaeologist that meets the minimum requirements under HAR §13-281 and will be submitted by HDOT to SHPD HICRIS for review and acceptance by the SHPD. Should burial treatment be completed as part of the monitoring effort, a summary of this treatment will be included in the monitoring report. Should burials and/or human remains be identified, the HDOT contracted construction company's subcontracted archaeologist(s) will provide all appropriate additional written documentation (e.g., letters, memos, reports) that may be requested by the SHPD. 8)Archiving Materials: All human burial materials will be addressed in accordance with SHPD directives. Materials not associated with burials will be temporarily stored at the HDOT contracted archaeologist's curation facilities until an appropriate curation facility is selected, in consultation with the landowner and the SHPD. All data generated will be stored at the HDOT contracted archaeologist's offices. Storing and maintaining the artifact collection, in both the temporary and long-term facility, will include the use of appropriate curation methods and archival containers, under appropriate environmental conditions and physically secure controls. The handling and cleaning of the artifact collection will be conducted in such a manner to preserve it, and the final repository will have the capability to provide adequate long-term curatorial services, as set forth in applicable law. References Cited Barna, B. 2023 DRAFT: Historic Properties Report in Support of NHPA Section 106 and FIRS Chapter 6E-8 Review of the Waiaka Bridge Replacement and Roadway Realignment Project, TMK: (3) 6-5-001:015 and 033 por.; 6-6-001:011; 6-6-004:999 (Kawaihae Road Right- of-Way); 6-6-009:999 (Kohala Mountain Road Right-of-Way), Kauniho, Lalamilo, and Waiaka 1st and 2nd ahupuaa, South Kohala District, Island of Hawai`i. ASM Affiliates. Prepared for WSP USA, Inc. Corbin,A. B. 2007 Archaeological Inventory Survey HPA Waiaka Site (Potential K-8 Campus), Land of Waiaka, South Kohala District, Island of Hawaii (TMK:3-6-5-001:Por. 8, 33, 51). Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc. 2664-010107. Prepared for Ken Melrose, Hilo, HI. Haun &Associates 2003 Interim Site Preservation Plan, DHHL Residential Development at Lalamilo, South Kohala District, Island of Hawaii (TMK: 6-6-01:P10, 54 & 77, and 6-6-04:12-17). Haun and Associates 267-010703. Prepared for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Haun,A. E., D. Henry, and K. McGuire 2002a Archaeological Inventory Survey DHHL Residential Development at Lalamilo South Kohala District, Island of Hawai (TMK: 6-6-01: 10, 54, & 77, and TMK: 6-6-04:12-17). Haun &Associates. 2002b Archaeological Inventory Survey, Waiaka Bridge Replacement and Realignment of Approaches, Lands of Lalamilo, Keoniki, Kauniho and Waiaka 1, South Kohala District, Island of Hawaii (TMK: [3] 6-5-01:Por. 033, 6-6-01:Por. 077, 6-6-04:Po. 001). Revised February 2012. Haun and Associates 030-022912. Final. Revised February 2012. Prepared for Wilson Okamoto Corp., Kailua-Kona, HI. Maxar-DigitalGlobe, I. 2020 SoH Imagery/Vivid 2020 (ImageServer). State of Hawaii MapServer. Electronic document, https://geodata.hawaii.gov/arcgis/rest/services/SoH Imagery/Vivid 2020 /ImageServer. Sinoto,A. 1998 Proposed Location of Kingdom Hall, Kamuela Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, TMK 6-6-1: 11 Aki Sinoto Consulting. Letter report. Revised 1998. Prepared for State Historic Preservation Division. Thompson, L. W. and P. H. Rosendahl 1992 Archaeological Inventory Survey, Potential Sites for North Hawaii Community Hospital, Lands of Waikoloa, Puukapu, and Lalamilo, South Kohala District, Island of Hawaii (TMK:6-7-02:13,17; 6-7-03:11; 6-8-01:1,2). Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc. 905-052893. Revised 1992. Prepared for Wilson, Okamoto and Associates, Hilo, HI. Wall, W. A. and C. J. Lyons 1887 Waimea Hawaii Preliminary Map. Hawaii Land Survey Division. Registered Map No. 673 Part 1. 1:12,000 scale. Electronic document, http://ags.hawaii.gov/survey/map- search, accessed Mar 8, 2020.