HomeMy WebLinkAboutPa'auilo Final Enviromental Assessment Pa`auilo Lands
Final Environmental Assessment
'1
TMKs: (3) 4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19, 4-3-09:24,
4-3-11:01 and 4-3-11:02
Pa `audo, Hdmdkua, Hawai`i
Prepared for:
County of Hawai`i
Department of Finance
Prepared by:
■
December 2006
Pa`auilo Lands
Final Environmental Assessment
TMKs: (3) 4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19, 4-3-09:24,
4-3-11:01 and 4-3-11:02
Pa `auilo, Hamakua, Hawai`i
Prepared for:
County of Hawai`i
Department of Finance
Prepared by:
December 2006
PA`AUILO LANDS
Final Environmental Assessment
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................1
1.1 PROJECT SUMMARY ..............................................................................................................1
1.2 PROPOSING AGENCY.............................................................................................................7
1.3 OWNERSHIP AND MAJOR APPROVALS REQUIRED..................................................................7
1.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY ...........................................................................................7
1.5 SURROUNDING LAND USES.................................................................................................10
1.6 BACKGROUND.....................................................................................................................10
2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION...........................................................................................•....11
2.1 PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................11
2.2 NEED FOR THE PROJECT......................................................................................................11
2.3 POTENTIAL USES.................................................................................................................1 1
2.4 PHASING AND TIMING OF ACTION.......................................................................................14
3.0 ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING NATURAL ENVIRONMENT,POTENTAL
IMPACTS,AND MITIGATION MEASURES.............................................................................15
3.1 CLIMATE.............................................................................................................................15
3.2 TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY..............................................................................................15
3.3 DRAINAGE...........................................................................................................................15
3.4 SOILS...................................................................................................................................16
3.4.l Soil Conservation Service Soil Survey...........................................................................16
3.4.2 Land Study Bureau Soil Rating......................................................................................20
3.4.3 Agricultural Lands of Importance..................................................................................20
3.5 GROUNDWATER RESOURCES AND HYDROLOGY.................................................................23
3.6 NATURAL HAZARDS............................................................................................................23
3.7 FLORA.................................................................................................................................24
3.8 FAUNA.................................................................................................................................25
4.0 ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING HUMAN ENVIRONMENT,POTENTIAL
IMPACTS,AND MITIGATION MEASURES.............................................................................27
4.1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES...................................................................27
4.2 CULTURAL RESOURCES.......................................................................................................28
4.3 NOISE..................................................................................................................................31
4.4 AIR QUALITY......................................................................................................................31
4.5 VISUAL RESOURCES AND OPEN SPACE................................................................................32
4.6 POPULATION........................................................................................................................32
4.7 HOUSING.............................................................................................................................34
4.8 LIFESTYLE AND CHARACTER OF THE COMMUNITY.............................................................34
4.9 THE ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT.....................................................................................35
5.0 ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC
SERVICES,AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES......................37
5.1 TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.............................................................................................37
5.2 WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES.................................................................................................38
5.3 WASTEWATER FACILITIES...................................................................................................39
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PA`AUILO LANDS
Final Environmental Assessment
5.4 DRAINAGE FACILITIES.........................................................................................................39
5.5 SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES...................................................................................39
5.6 ELECTRICAL FACILITIES......................................................................................................40
5.7 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES...................................................................................................40
5.8 POLICE PROTECTION...........................................................................................................41
5.9 FIRE PROTECTION................................................................................................................41
5.10 HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.........................................................................42
5.11 COMMUNITY SERVICES .......................................................................................................42
6.0 LAND USE CONFORMANCE..........................................................................................43
6.1 STATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT LAW,CHAPTER 343,HAWAII REVISED
STATUTES........................................................................................................................................43
6.1.1 Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes—State Land Use Law.......................................43
6.1.2 Chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes—Hawaii State Plan..........................................43
6.1.3 Chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes—State Functional Plans..................................46
6.1.4 Section.205A, Hawaii Revised Statutes—Coastal Zone Management Program...........47
6.2 COUNTY OF HAWAII'I..........................................................................................................48
6.2.1 General Plan..................................................................................................................48
6.2.2 Hawaii County Zoning..................................................................................................50
7.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTION........................................................51
7.1 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED..............................................................................................51
7.2 NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE..................................................................................................51
7.3 THE ALTERNATIVE OF EXECUTING A LAND EXCHANGE......................................................51
7.4 THE ALTERNATIVE OF LEASING THE LANDS .......................................................................51
7.5 ACTIONS OF A SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT NATURE WHICH WOULD PROVIDE SIMILAR
BENEFITS WITH DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.................................................................52
7.6 THE ALTERNATIVE OF POSTPONING ACTION PENDING FURTHER STUDY............................52
8.0 DETERMINATION,FINDINGS,AND REASONS FOR SUPPORTING
DETERMINATION.................................................................................................................••......53
8.1 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT(FONSI)DETERMINATION.......................................53
8.2 SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA......................................................................................................53
9.0 CONSULTED PARTIES AND PARTICIPANTS............................................................57
9.1 PRE-ASSESSMENT CONSULTATION PERIOD.........................................................................57
9.2 DRAFT EA PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD....................................................................................58
10.0 REFERENCES.....................................................................................................................61
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PA`AUILO LANDS
Final Environmental Assessment
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
Figure1 Location Map...................................................................................................................2
Figure2 Tax Map Key....................................................................................................................3
Figure 3 State Land Use District....................................................................................................4
Figure 4 County of Hawaii Zoning...............................................................................................5
Figure 5 County of Hawaii General Plan......................................................................................6
Figure6 Landownership Map.........................................................................................................8
Figure7 Roadway Network............................................................................................................9
Figure8 FIRM..............................................................................................................................17
Figure9 Soil .................................................................................................................................18
Figure 10 Detailed Land Classification..........................................................................................21
Figure1 1 ALISH............................................................................................................................22
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
Table 1: Number of Potential Lots Based on Existing Lots of Record and Existing Zoning............12
Table 2: Number of Potential Lots Based on Current Zoning...........................................................14
Table 3. Demographic Characteristics: 2000.....................................................................................33
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A Botanical Survey, Geometrician Associates,LLC,July 2006
Appendix B A Survey of Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian Species, Rana Productions, Ltd.,
July 2006
Appendix C Archaeological Inventory Survey,Haun&Associates,August 2006
Appendix D Pre-Assessment Consultation Comment and Response Letters
Appendix E Draft Environmental Assessment Public Review Comment and Response Letters
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PA`AUILO LANDS
Final Environmental Assessment
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PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PROJECT SUMMARY
The following summary describes the project location, existing entitlements, and proposed
actions:
Project Name: Pa`auilo Lands
Location: Pa`auilo, Hamakua District, Hawaii (Figure 1)
Landowner: County of Hawai`i
Applicant: County of Hawaii
Tax Map Key: (3)4-3-7:01,4-3-9:19 and 24 and 4-3-11:01 and 2(Figure 2)
Land Area: Approximately 740 acres
Existing Use: Open,vacant land
Proposed Use: No use proposed at this time
Land Use Designations:
State Land Use District: Agriculture(Figure 3)
Hawaii County Zoning: A-40a(641 acres) and
A-5a(92.5 acres) (Figure 4)
County General Plan: Important Agricultural Lands (706.4 acres)
Extensive Agriculture(32.3 acres) (Figure 5)
Action Requested: Sale of County lands
Accepting Authority: County of Hawaii,Department of Finance
Anticipated
Determination: Finding of No Significant Impact(FONSI)
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Legend Figure 1
Project Site Boundary Location Map
Pa`auilo Lands
Source: County of Howori TST.AND OF HAW APT
United States Geological Survey NORTH LINEAR SCALE(FEET)
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Disclaimer:
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Project Site Boundary Tax Map Key Map
Pa`auilo Lands
Source: County of Hawal'i ISLAND OF HAWAII
NORTH LINEAR SCALE(FEET)
County of Hawaii
0 1,500 3,000 6,000
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Land Use Districts State Land Use District Map
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Conservation
County of Howal'i TST.AND OF HAW APT
Urban Source: NORTH LINEAR SCALE(FEET)
State Land Use Commission(2006) 0 1,500 3,000 6,000
Project Site Boundary Disclaimer:
This map has been prepared for
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Zoning Districts Project Site Boundary Hawaii Count Zonin Ma
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Source: County of HowoPi iSi.AND OF HAWAPT
A-5a County of Hawaii(2005)
NORTH LINEAR SCALE(FEET)
Residential Forest Reserve 0 1500 3,000 6,000
0 RD-3.75 _
0 RS-10 Disclaimer:
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Figure 5
Land Uses Conservation Project Site Boundary Hawaii County General Plan LUPAG Map
0 Extensive Agriculture
0 Important Ag. Lands Pa`auilo Lands
0 High Density Urban County of Howa l rsi.AND OF AAwAPT
Medium Density Urban source: NORTH LINEAR SCALE(rEEn
0 Low Density Urban County of Hawaii(2005) 0 1,500 3,000 6,000
0 Rural
Disclaimer:
0 Open Area This map has been prepared for
0 Industrial general planning purposes only.
June 2006
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
1.2 PROPOSING AGENCY
In accordance with Section 343-5(b), Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), whenever an agency
proposes the use of county lands, that agency shall prepare an environmental assessment for the
action at the earliest practicable time to determine whether an environmental impact statement
shall be required.
In order to comply with Chapter 343, HRS, the County Department of Finance (DOF) has
contracted PBR HAWAII to prepare and process this environmental assessment. The County
DOF is the proposing agency for this project; the mailing address and primary contact person is
listed below:
Ms. Nancy Crawford, Deputy Director
County of Hawai`i
Department of Finance
25 Aupum Street,Room 118
Hilo,Hawai`i 96720
1.3 OWNERSHIP AND MAJOR APPROVALS REQUIRED
The County of Hawaii is the landowner of the subject property and is the agency preparing this
environmental assessment. As there is no development or construction proposed at this time, no
approvals other than the acceptance of this document as a FONSI are required.
1.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY
The Pa`auilo Lands lie in the Hamakua District, within the Pa`auilo Homesteads on the northeast
side of the Island of Hawaii and comprise five (5) tax map keys. Within those five (5) parcels
there are six (6) underlying grants on TMK 4-3-09:19 and four (4) underlying grants on TMK 4-
3-09:24, which are all "lots of record" (Subdivision No. SUB-05-000130, approved on August
10, 2005(please refer to Figure 2). There are also five (5) "lots of record" on TMK 4-3-11:02
(SUB-06-000427, approved on December 4, 2006).
The Pa`auilo Lands lie on the middle slopes of Mauna Kea, approximately 3.5 miles mauka
(roughly south), of Pa`auilo Town and Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19). The lands are fallow,
formerly cultivated in sugar cane, and are now vegetated primarily by introduced weedy grasses,
herbs, shrubs, and scattered trees. The climate in the Hamakua District is wet, and at the
elevation of the Pa`auilo Lands, the temperature is mainly cool.
7
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Legend Figure 6
Project Site Boundary Land Ownership Map a
0 County of Hawaii Source: Pa`auilo Lands
0 State of Hawaii County of Hawaii county of Howarl rsi.AND OF AAwAPT
0 Kamehameha Schools NORTH LINEAR SCALE(FEET)
Disclaimer: 0 1,500 3,000 6,000
0 Other-Private This map has been
prepared for general
planning purposes only,
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Legend
Project Site Boundary
Government Roads
County Maintained
Government Roads Private Roads Figure 7
(Including Homestead Impassable Roadway Network Map
Roads) Pa`auilo Lands
Government County of Hawaii ISLAND OF HAWAII
"Paper" Roads Source: NORTH UNLAR SCALE CEEET)
County of Hawal'i o i,eoo a,00a
6,
�00
Private Roads Disclaimer:
(Including Cane This map has been prepared for
Haul Roads) general planning purposes only.
October 2006
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
1.5 SURROUNDING LAND USES
Surrounding land uses include private homes, ranches, farms, a dairy, the University of Hawaii
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) Hamakua Research Station,
and open land. The project site is bounded on all sides, in part, by open land. To the north and
west it is bounded by land owned by Kamehameha Schools and a portion of Mameme Road. On
the south it is bounded by the CTAHR research station. On the southeast lies the John Paul
Mitchell Systems `Awapuhi Farm, a portion of Antone DeLuz Road, and a portion of the paved,
private,plantation road that accesses the lands (Figures 6 and 7).
1.6 BACKGROUND
The DOF acquired the subject property from the Hamakua Sugar Company in 1994 as a result of
a real property tax settlement. Prior to the DOF's acquisition, the property had been in active
sugar cane production for decades. DOF will be selling these lands in accordance with prior
County Council action in January and June of 2002, authorizing the sale of these lands.
The sale will allow these lands to be put back into productive agricultural use while the proceeds
from the sale will provide additional funding for County programs. The revenues from the sale
may also provide the County greater flexibility in budgeting additional funding for the
acquisition of lands identified by the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource
Preservation Commission.
10
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
2.1 PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Hawaii County Department of Finance proposes to sell the subject properties at public
auction. The goal and objective of the DOF will be to sell these lands in accordance with prior
County Council action in January and June of 2002, authorizing the sale of these lands. The sale
will allow these lands to be put back into productive agricultural use while the proceeds from the
sale will provide additional funding for County programs. The revenues from the sale may also
provide the County greater flexibility in budgeting additional funding for the acquisition of lands
identified by the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource Preservation Commission.
2.2 NEED FOR THE PROJECT
The County has owned the Pa`auilo Lands since 1994, when it was acquired from Hamakua
Sugar Company in lieu of real property taxes owed. The County views that the sale of these
lands will serve the greater public interest in that it will allow these lands to return to productive
agricultural use while allowing the County to recoup previously unpaid real property taxes that it
may use to fund existing or additional programs. The sale will also mean that these lands will
revert to private ownership and will be subject to real property taxes that are currently not being
paid under County ownership.
Additionally, the proceeds from the sale and added real property tax revenue may provide greater
flexibility for the County to allocate additional funding to the Public Access, Open Space and
Natural Resource Preservation Fund for the purposes of acquiring lands targeted for acquisition
by the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource Preservation Commission.
2.3 POTENTIAL USES
While the lands are expected to remain in agriculture, the exact use and any associated impacts
are unknown at this time. This EA, however, discusses potential impacts and mitigation
measures for the possibility that the maximum possible farm dwellings are built. There are two
(2) different scenarios from which to calculate the maximum possible farm dwellings:
Scenario 1: Existing Lots of Record Based on the Consolidation/Re-Subdivision (SUB-05-
000130) approved on August 10, 2005 and the Subdivision (Sub-06-000427) approved on
December 4, 2006:
The project site comprises five (5) tax map key parcels. Within those five (5) tax map key
parcels there will be a total of 17 saleable lots described as follows:
• TMK 4-3-09:19 - Six (6) lots based on the, Consolidation/Re-Subdivision (SUB-
05-000130) approved on August 10, 2005;
• TMK 4-3-09:24 - Four (4) lots based on the Consolidation/Re-Subdivision (SUB-
05-000130) approved on August 10, 2005);
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PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
• TMK 4-3-07:01 - One (1) lot based on the Subdivision (Sub-06-000427) approved
on December 4, 2006. The subdivision also included TMKs 4-3-11:01 and 02.
Although the subdivision resulted in ten (10) lots, three (3) of those lots are road
lots that will be retained by the County and absorbed into the existing homestead
road right-of-way to mitigate encroachments of the existing road outside or too
close to the actual boundaries of the homestead road right-of-way.
• TMK 4-3-11:01 - One (1) lot based on the Subdivision (Sub-06-000427) approved
on December 4, 2006. The subdivision also included TMKs 4-3-11:02 and 4-3-
07:01. Although the subdivision resulted in ten (10) lots, three (3) lots are road lots
that will be retained by the County and absorbed into the existing homestead road
right-of-way to mitigate encroachments of the existing road outside or too close to
the actual boundaries of the homestead road right-of-way.
• TMK 4-3-11:02-Five (5)lots based on the Subdivision (Sub-06-000427) approved
on December 4, 2006. The subdivision also included TMKs 4-3-11:01 and 4-3-
07:01. Although the subdivision resulted in ten (10) lots, three (3) lots are road lots
that will be retained by the County and absorbed into the existing homestead road
right-of-way to mitigate encroachments of the existing road outside or too close to
the actual boundaries of the homestead road right-of-way.
Counting the existing parcels, lots of record, and the lots that were recently created on TMK 4-3-
11:02, there is a potential for up to 17 separate parcels and/or lots within the project area (See
Table 1 below):
Table 1: Number of Potential Lots Based on Existing Lots of Record and Existing Zoning
TMK Number Potential Number of Lots
4-3-07:01 1
4-3-09:19 6
4-3-09:24 4
4-3-11:01 1
4-3-11:02 5
Total: 17
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PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Scenario 2: Potential Number of Lots Based on Existing Lots of Record and Further
Subdivision Based on Existing Zoning:
TMK 4-3-07:01 - The parcel currently A-40a zoning that could allow a subdivision into
two (2)lots.
TMK 4-3-09:19-There are currently three(3) "lots of record"that are zoned A-5a:
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 15-A is 18.551 acres. This could allow for a
subdivision of three(3)lots
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 16-A is 20.231 acres. This could allow for a
subdivision of four(4) lots.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 17-A is 19.353 acres. This could allow for a
subdivision of three(3)lots.
TMK 4-3-09:19 - There are currently three (3) "lots of record" that are zoned A-40a
zoning:
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 8-A is 16.224 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 9-A is 16.307 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 10-A is 15.334 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
TMK 4-3-09:24-There are currently four(4) "lots of record"that are zoned A-40a:
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:24,Lot 1-A is 23.337 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:24,Lot 2-A is 20.191 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:24,Lot 3-A is 20.699 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:24,Lot A is 84.454 acres. This could allow for a
subdivision of two(2)lots under its current A-40a zoning.
TMK 4-3-11:01 -No further subdivision is possible based on its current A-40a zoning.
TMK 4-3-11:02 is currently split-zoned with approximately 34.5 acres zoned A-5a and
approximately 271.775 acres zoned A-40a. Lot 19-A(103.977 acres) could be subdivided
into two (2) lots. No further subdivision is possible on Lots 20-A, 21-A, and Grant 4968.
The portion of Tract 1 that is zoned A-5a could be subdivided into six (6) lots on the A-
5a portion, creating a seventh lot on the remainder of Tract 1, for a total of 12 lots.
13
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Therefore, the potential number of lots and allowable farm dwellings based on current zoning
(assuming approval under the formal subdivision process)is 32 demonstrated in Table 2, below:
Table 2: Number of Potential Lots Based on Current Zoning
TMK Number Potential Number of Lots
4-3-07:01 1
4-3-09:19 13
4-3-09:24 5
4-3-11:01 1
4-3-11:02 12
Total: 32*
*Note: This scenario assumes that purchasers of these lots will be able to further subdivide
based on the existing zoning. It should be emphasized that this scenario assumes a "worst case"
and any further subdivision by purchasers will require compliance with current subdivision code.
Subdivision approval for the creation of the total number of lots described in Scenario 2 may
face significant challenges due to limited access, substandard roads, limited utilities and cost of
required onsite and offsite improvements.
Estimate of Maximum Possible Farm Dwellin&s:
According to the Hawaii County Planning Department, one (1) farm dwelling is permitted per
agricultural parcel without proof of any agricultural use or plan. Thus, using the highest yielding
scenario, the"worst case" is that 32 farm dwellings are built on the Pa`auilo Lands once they are
sold. However, it should be emphasized that sale of the Pa`auilo Lands is not proposing that 32
farm dwellings be constructed; it is simply a statement of the maximum number of farm
dwellings allowed based on current zoning. Therefore, the potential impacts and mitigation
measures in this EA will be based on the"worst case" calculation of 32 farm dwellings.
Additional farm dwellings may be permitted on the parcels and/or lots if a Farm Plan, which
demonstrates the number of agricultural labor hours per week, is submitted and approved by the
Hawaii County Planning Department. This requirement will help to ensure that any additional
farm dwellings constructed are related to agriculture and thus will perpetuate agriculture on the
Pa'auilo Lands.
2.4 PHASING AND TIMING OF ACTION
The proposed sale is tentatively planned for early 2007. Due to a survey discrepancy in
connection with Lot A, within TMK: 4-3-09:24 and an encroachment problem on Lot 17-A,
within TMK: 4-3-09:19, these two lots may be sold at a later date under a separate auction upon
the resolution of their respective situations.
14
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
3.0 ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT, POTENTAL IMPACTS, AND
MITIGATION MEASURES
This chapter describes the existing natural environment of the Pa`auilo Lands and potential
impacts that may result from the proposed sale of the lands. The chapter also describes
mitigation measures to address potential impacts.
3.1 CLIMATE
Because the project site lies between the 1,400 and 2,400-foot elevations on the northeast side of
Hawaii Island,it is affected by the prevailing northeast trade winds,making the climate there cool and
wet.Winds are generally northeast,with typical trade wind speeds of 10-15 miles per hour.
Average annual rainfall in the general vicinity of the project site is approximately 70 inches. The
average temperature ranges from approximately 57 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit
(Pecs. Comm., Kelvin Sewake, University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and
Human Resources, July 28, 2006).
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale and subsequent use of the Pa`auilo lands will not affect the regional climate.
3.2 TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY
The Pa`auilo lands are located approximately 3.5 miles mauka of Hawaii Belt Road, on the
middle slopes of Mauna Kea. The site slopes downward, generally from southwest to northeast,
at an average rate of 11 percent. Ground surface elevations range from approximately 1,400 feet
above mean sea level (amsl) to 2,400 feet above amsl. The Pa`auilo Lands are former sugarcane
land, but are fallow now, and vegetated primarily in Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and other
introduced weedy grasses,herbs, shrubs, and trees.
Soils within the project area derive from Mauna Kea Ash deposited between 65,000 and 250,000
years ago. In places, the Mauna Kea Ash is overlain by deposits laid down between 4,000 and
7,000 years ago (Wolfe and Morris 1996).
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts to the regional geology and topography are anticipated as a result of the
proposed sale or any subsequent use of the Pa`auilo Lands.
3.3 DRAINAGE
The Pa`auilo Lands are designated Zone X by the Flood Insurance Rate Map, indicating that the
lands lie outside the 500-year floodplain (Figure 8). The site contains four named gulches
(Opihilala, Waipunalau, Pa`auilo, and `A`amanu), and slopes downward from southwest to
15
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
northeast at an average rate of approximately 11 percent. The lands contain no known drainage
improvements.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The sale of the Pa`auilo Lands is not anticipated to affect drainage within the site. Potential
purchasers will be subject to the existing grubbing and grading ordinances through which the
impacts of their specific uses will have to be addressed and mitigated.
3.4 SOILS
Three soil suitability studies have been prepared for lands in Hawaii. These are the U.S.
Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service Soil Survey (USDA 1972), the University
of Hawaii Land Study Bureau Detailed Land Classification (Baker 1965), and the State of
Hawai`i Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawai`i
(ALISH) (State of Hawaii 1977). The principal focus of these studies has been to describe the
physical attributes of Hawai`i's lands and the relative productivity of different land types for
agricultural production purposes.
3.4.1 Soil Conservation Service Soil Survey
The Soil Survey of the Island of Hawaii, State of Hawaii (USDA 1972)identifies the following
six soil types at the Pa`auilo Lands (Figure 9).
• Honokaa Silty Clay Loam, HTD (10-20% slopes)
Honokaa Silty Clay Loam,Low Elevation, HsC (0-10% slopes)
• Honokaa Silty Clay Loam,Low Elevation, HsD (10-20% slopes)
Honokaa Silty Clay Loam,Low Elevation,HsE(20-35% slopes)
Maile Silt Loam,MLD (6-20% slopes)
Rough Broken Land, RB
Honokaa Silty Clay Loam, 10-20% slopes (HTD) constitutes approximately 17 percent of the
Pa`auilo Lands. This soil is low on the windward side of Mauna Kea. In a representative profile,
the surface layer is dark brown silty clay loam, approximately 6 inches thick. The subsoil is also
silty clay loam. It is dark brown, very dark brown, and very dark grayish brown and is
approximately 59 inches thick. This soil is medium acid to slightly acid throughout the profile. It
dehydrates irreversibly into fine gravel-size aggregates. Permeability is rapid, runoff is slow, and
the erosion hazard is slight. Roots can penetrate to a depth of 5 feet or more. This soil is used
mostly for pasture and woodland. At the time of the survey, a small acreage at the lowest
elevation was used for sugarcane. These soils are in capability Class IV.
Honokaa Silty Clay Loam, Low Elevation, 0-10% slopes (HsC) constitutes approximately 2
percent of the Pa`auilo Lands. This soil is similar to Honokaa silty clay loam 10 to 20 percent
slopes, except that it is gently sloping and occurs at a lower elevation where the soil temperature
is warmer. This soil is used mostly for sugarcane. Small areas are used for pasture and
macadamia nuts. These soils are in Capability Class ITI.
16
Pacific Ocean
�a�ahO
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Legend
Flood zones Figure 8
� Floodway Project Site Boundary
100-Year Floodplain Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
0 500-Year Floodplain Pa`auilo Lands
Outside Floodplain/Minimal Flooding Area County of Hawall ISLAND OF HAWAII
0 Undetermined Flood Hazards NORTH LINEAR SCALE(FEED
Source; 0 1,500 3,000 6,000
Flood Insurance Rate Map Disclaimer:
Map ID: 1551660225C& This map has been prepared for
1551660250C(1994) general planning purposes only.
June 2006
Pacific Ocean
ni
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Legend Figure 9
Project Area Soil Types Natural Resource Conservation Service
(HTD)Honokaa Silty Clay Loam, 10-20%Slopes Soil Survey Map
(HsC)Honokaa Silty Clay Loam, Low Elevation,0-10%Slopes
(HsD)Honokaa Silty Clay Loam, Low Elevation, 10-20%Slopes pa`auilo Lands
(HsE)Honokaa Silty Clay Loam, Low Elevation, 20-35%Slopes County of Hawal'i ISLANDOFHAWAI'I
(MILD)Maile Silt Loam,6-20%Slopes
NORTH uNEAR SCALE 1.500 n
(RB)Rough Broken Land
0 1,500 3,000 6,000
Project Site Boundary
Source: Disclaimer,
United States Natural Resource This map has been prepared for %rL=Alllllllllll�
Conservation Service(1997) planning June 2006
g eneral p g purposes only.
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Honokaa Silty Clay Loam, Low Elevation, 10-20% slopes (HsD) constitutes approximately
48 percent of the Pa`auilo Lands. This soil is similar to Honokaa silty clay loam 10 to 20 percent
slopes, except that it occurs at a lower elevation where the soil temperature is warmer. This soil
is used principally for sugarcane. Small areas are used for pasture and macadamia nuts. These
soils are in Capability Class IV.
Honokaa Silty Clay Loam, slopes Low Elevation, 20-35% (HsE) constitutes approximately
20 percent of the Pa`auilo Lands. This soil is similar to Honokaa silty clay loam 10 to 20 percent
slopes, except that it is steep and occurs at a lower elevation where the soil temperature is
warmer. Runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is moderate. This soil is used mostly for
sugarcane. Small areas are used for pasture and macadamia nuts. These soils are in Capability
Class VI.
Maile Silt Loam, 6-20% slopes (MLD) constitutes approximately 4 percent of the Pa`auilo
Lands. This soil is at intermediate elevations on the windward side of Mauna Kea. It has a
dominant slope of approximately 15 percent. A representative profile has a surface layer of dark
reddish-brown to very dark brown silt loam approximately 14 inches thick. The subsoil is
approximately 46 inches thick. It consists of dark yellowish-brown and very dark brown silty
clay loam. The subsoil dehydrates irreversibly into fine sand-size aggregates. The profile grades
from medium acid in the surface layer to slightly acid and neutral in the subsoil. Included in this
mapping are small, steep drainageways and gullies. Permeability is moderately rapid, runoff is
slow, and the erosion hazard is slight. Roots can penetrate to a depth of 5 feet or more. This soil
is used for pasture and woodland. These soils are in Capability Class IV.
Rough broken land, (RB) constitutes approximately 7 percent of the Pa`auilo Lands. Rough
broken land is a miscellaneous land type that consists of very steep, precipitous land broken by
many intermittent drainage channels. It occurs primarily in gulches, and the slope is dominantly
35 to 70 percent. The soil material ranges from very shallow to deep. Stones and rock outcrops
are common in some areas. Elevation ranges from near sea level to 3,000 feet, and the annual
rainfall ranges from 50 inches to more than 150 inches. Vegetation varies with rainfall. Kukui
trees are common in the gulches. There are a few, scattered waterfalls. Rough broken land is
used for pasture, woodland, wildlife habitat, and recreation areas. Adapted pasture plants and
yields are similar to those for soils associated with this land type. These soils are in Capability
Class Vii.
Soil capability grouping shows, in a general way, the suitability of soils for most kinds of field
crops. Soils are classed from I to VIII, with Capability Class I being the best suited for
agriculture and Class VIII being the least suited. The Pa`auilo Lands comprise soils in Classes
ITT, TV,VT, and Vii.
• Class III soils have severe limitations that reduce the choice of plants, require special
conservation practices, or both.
• Class IV soils have very severe limitations that reduce the choice of plants, require very
careful management, or both.
• Class VI soils have severe limitations that make them generally unsuited to cultivation
and limit their use largely to pasture or range, woodland, or wildlife.
19
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Class VII soils have very severe limitations that make them generally unsuited to
cultivation and restrict their use largely to pasture or range, woodland, or wildlife.
3.4.2 Land Study Bureau Soil Rating
The Detailed Land Classification, Island of Hawai`i (Baker et al. 1965) classifies non-urban
areas based on a five-class rating system for agricultural productivity using the letters A,B, C,D,
and E. Under this system, A represents the highest class of productivity and E the lowest. The
Pa`auilo Lands comprise lands rated B, C,D and E(Figure 10).
The Pa`auilo Lands contain approximately 205 acres (28%) classified as B (Good for
agriculture); 0.75 acres (0.1%) classified C (Fair); 466.2 acres (63%) classified D (Poor); and
66.7 acres (9%) classified E(very poor).
3.4.3 Agricultural Lands of Importance
The ALTSH system classifies four types of land: Prime Lands, Unique Lands, Unclassified, and
Other Lands (State of Hawaii 1977). The Pa`auilo Lands comprise approximately 740 acres. Of
these, approximately 407 acres (55%) are classified as Prime Agricultural Lands; 0.207 acres
(less than 1%) are classified as Other Lands; and the remaining lands are unclassified (Figure
11).
Prime Agricultural Land is land best suited for the production of food, feed, forage, and fiber
crops. When treated and managed, including water management, and according to modern
farming methods, the land has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to
economically produce sustained high yields of crops (State of Hawaii 1977).
Other Agriculture Land is land other than Prime or Unique Agricultural Land that is also of
statewide or local importance for the production of food, feed, fiber, and forage crops. The lands
in this classification are important to agriculture in Hawaii yet exhibit properties, such as
seasonal wetness, erosion, limited rooting zone, slope, flooding, or drought, which exclude the
lands from the Prime or Unique Agricultural Land classifications. By applying greater inputs of
fertilizer and other soil amendments, providing drainage improvements, implementing erosion
control practices, and providing flood protection, these lands can be farmed satisfactorily and
produce fair to good crop yields (State of Hawaii 1977).
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands is not expected to significantly affect soils or erosion
characteristics in the vicinity. Potential purchasers will be subject to the existing grubbing and
grading ordinances through which the impacts of their specific uses will have to be addressed
and mitigated.
20
Pacific Ocean
aho
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Legend Figure 10
Agricultural Soil Ratings Detailed Land Classification Map
A(Excellent)
B(Good) Pa`auilo Lands
0 C(Fair)
0 D(Poor) Source: County ofHawal'i ISLAND OFHAWAI'I
Land Study Bureau(1967) NORTH LINEAR SCALE(FEED
0 E(Very Poor) 0 1.500 3,000 6,000
0 Not Classified Disclaimer:
This map has been prepared for
Project Site Boundary general planning purposes only. %rLm�
June 2006
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PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
3.5 GROUNDWATER RESOURCES AND HYDROLOGY
Pa`auilo sits atop the Pa`auilo Aquifer, which is a component of the East Mauna Kea Aquifer
System. The Pa`auilo Aquifer has a sustainable yield of approximately 60 million gallons per
day (CWRM 1995).
According to the County of Hawai`i Department of Water Supply, the closest available
Department of Water Supply facility is a 6-inch waterline within Pohakea Mauka Road,
approximately 4,000 feet from the northwest corner of TMK 4-3-11:02. The Department is not
allowing any additional services from the existing 4-inch waterline within Pohakealani Road
near the southeast corner of TMK 4-3-11:02 until extensive water system improvements are
made.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will not directly introduce new residents to the project
area. Additionally, no direct utility upgrades are being provided to the parcels. Therefore, should
the"worst case" calculation of 32 farm dwellings be constructed,it would be expected that water
use would be limited until extensive water system improvements are made. Water supply for
future dwellings will possibly be limited to rain-water catch stored in tanks or reservoirs.
3.6 NATURAL HAZARDS
Natural hazards that could impact the property include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
hurricanes, and flooding. The island of Hawaii is associated with volcanic eruption and
earthquakes. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has developed lava-flow hazard zones with a
numerical rating of 1 to 9, with 1 having the greatest risk. The Pa`auilo Lands are in Lava-Flow
Hazard Zone 8, which indicates that only a few percent of this area has been covered by lava in
the past 10,000 years (USGS, 1992). Mauna Kea last erupted approximately 4,000 years ago.
The State of Hawaii has been affected twice in the past two decades by devastating hurricanes—
Hurricane `Twa, in 1982, and Hurricane `Iniki in 1992. The most recent series of earthquakes,
with magnitudes of 6.7 and 6.0, occurred at Kiholo Bay on October 15, 2006. While it is difficult
to predict these natural occurrences, it is reasonable to assume that future events could occur.
The project area, as the rest of the island and state, is vulnerable to the destructive winds and
torrential rains associated with hurricanes. Honoka`a High School, located approximately 6.8
miles west of the project site,is a designated Emergency Evacuation Center for the Pa`auilo area
(Personal Communication, Hawaii County Civil Defense).
According to the Flood insurance Rate Map (FIRM), the project site is designated as Zone X
meaning that it is located outside of the 500-year floodplain (Figure 8). The site is located
approximately 2.3 miles from the shoreline and is outside of the tsunami evacuation area.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The sale of the Pa`auilo Lands is not expected to exacerbate any hazardous conditions.
23
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
3.7 FLORA
Geometrician Associates conducted a botanical survey of the Pa`auilo Lands in June 2006
(Appendix A). The survey determined that the lands had been heavily modified by decades of
sugar cane cultivation that left most of them uniformly alien in vegetation. The property contains
several vegetation types but is dominated basically by alien assemblages that vary according to
slope and local disturbance history.
Most of the lands are vegetated in the secondary grassland most often associated with abandoned
sugar cane fields. It is dominated by guinea grass (Panicum maximum), interspersed with the
alien trees ironwood (Casuarina sp.) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.). Koa (Acacia koa) is also
fairly common in places, especially at higher elevations. Where there are water run-off channels
or slopes with exposed soil, ferns are predominate, including alien and indigenous sword ferns
(Nephrolepis spp.) and the alien golden fern (Pityrogramma austroamericana). Along the many
unpaved roads are weedy species such as Florida beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum) and
hyptis (Hyptis pectinate). The gulches have steep sides and are often dominated by coffee
(Coffea arabica), strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum), and kukui (Aleurites moluccana). A
few grasses (one a bamboo) and a member of the leguminous family could not be identified, but
are almost certainly alien.
The native plants that are found on the site are relatively common. Native species identified, in
addition to koa, were the trees `6hi`a, k6lea, and kopiko (Psychotria hawaiensis), and the tree
ferns hapu`u (Ciborium glaucum) and `ama`u (Sadleria cyatheoides). These native species are
restricted to the steeper gulches and hills. The most intact native vegetation was found in an
unquarried hilly feature near the top of the property, in the southeast corner of parcel 4-3-11:001.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
No plant species listed or proposed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service or the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources were found. One
species, Koai`a, is considered rare, but its presence here is probably a result of planting, and
would not indicate a natural occurrence necessitating special conservation measures. It is
assumed that the intensive sugar cane cultivation that took place on the project site had a great
impact on the vegetation that exists today.
The proposed sale and subsequent use poses little potential for secondary or cumulative impacts
to botanical resources, as a majority of the vegetation is alien and thus has low conservation
value. The cumulative loss of some of the common native plants found on the property that
might occur when considering this project in addition to other past, present, and foreseeable
future actions in Hamakua is small. This loss would detract only negligibly from the population
of these species and would not affect the general health or makeup of lowland areas in forest
areas on the Hamdkua coast with intact ecosystems (mostly found further south and mauka in
North and South Hilo). There would be little or no potential for adverse effects to accumulate
with others.
24
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
3.8 FAUNA
Rana Productions conducted an avifaunal and faunal survey of the project site in July 2006
(Appendix B). The survey was conducted to determine if the Pa`auilo Lands contain avian or
mammalian species currently listed as endangered or threatened, or that are proposed for listing,
under either federal or State of Hawai`i endangered species programs.
Avifauna. Birds were observed from 20 systematically placed count stations, between 7:00 a.m.
and 11:00 a.m., the peak of daily bird activity. Additional observation was conducted over two
evenings to detect nocturnally flying seabirds. During time not spent counting, observers
searched the remainder of the study site for species and habitats not detected during count
sessions.
Avian diversity and densities were typical of the habitat present within the study area. The
survey recorded 501 individuals comprising 24 avian species over two days. Four species,
Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus), Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata), House Finch
(Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis), and Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) accounted for 59
percent of the total number of birds recorded. The Japanese White-eye was the most common
avian species recorded, accounting for slightly less than 20 percent of the total individual birds
recorded.
One species recorded, the Hawaiian Hawk (Buteo solitarius) is an endemic, endangered species.
Two species detected, Hawaii `Amakihi (Hemingnathus virens) and `Apapane (Himatione
sanquinae) are relatively common endemic forest birds usually found in native vegetation. These
birds were all recorded at the upper reaches of the property in very small numbers. Two
indigenous, resident species were also recorded, the Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax
nycticorax hoactli) and Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus sanwichensis). The remaining 19
species detected were alien to the Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaiian Hawks are found in nearly all island habitats with large tree components. They are
regularly seen foraging in the Hamakua area. Hawk densities are highest in mature, native
species dominated forests, with grassy understories and extensive forest edges. This habitat
supports numerous prey species for the hawk and also provides numerous perches and nesting
sites. Although not detected during this survey, it is possible that small numbers of the
endangered endemic Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) and the threatened Newell's
Shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli) over-fly the project area between the months of May
and November.
Feral Mammals. A mammalian survey was conducted by means of visual and auditory
detection and the observation of scat, tracks, and other animal signs. A running tally was kept of
all vertebrate species observed and heard within the project area. A survey for bats was
conducted during the evenings of July 6 and 7, 2006. Bats were detected visually and by
electronic scans with specialized equipment.
Nine mammalian species were detected during the course of this survey, including Hawaiian
hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), known locally as `Ope`ape`a, which were seen on both
nights of the survey. Other mammalian species detected were European house mouse (Mus
domesticus), dog (Canis f.familiaris), small Indian mongoose (Herpestes a. auropunctatus), cat
25
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
(Felis catus), horse (Equus c. caballus), pig (Sus s. scrofa), and cattle (Bos Taurus). Several
species of rat may also utilize resources at the project properties.
The findings of the mammalian survey are consistent with the habitat present on the site. With
the exception of the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat, all mammals detected were alien, and most
are ubiquitous. The bat is relatively common in the Hamakua District, on a seasonal basis.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
As it relates to native avifauna and mammals, there is nothing unique about these lands. They are
highly degraded and are of minimal value to native avian and mammalian species in their current
condition. The riparian habitat within the various gulches on the properties likely supports
Hawaiian hoary bats. The upper, open slopes provide foraging and possibly some nesting
opportunities for Hawaiian Hawks. Both of these listed species are relatively common in the
Hamakua District, and can be expected to use resources on similar lands within the district. The
proposed sale and subsequent use of the Pa`auilo Lands is not expected to have any substantial
adverse impact on native avian and mammalian species present in the area.
26
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
4.0 ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING HUMAN
ENVIRONMENT, POTENTIAL IMPACTS, AND
MITIGATION MEASURES
This chapter provides background information on the existing human environment of the
proposed project area. Subject areas addressed include archaeology, historic resources, culture,
noise, air quality, visual environment, population and housing, community character, and
economic environment. This chapter also addresses the potential impacts of the proposed sale
and identifies appropriate mitigation measures to minimize the identified short-term and long-
term impacts.
4.1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES
An archaeological inventory survey was conducted during June 2006 by Haun & Associates
(Appendix Q. The survey identified two Historic-Period sites comprising four features.
Site 25536 consists of a terrace and retaining walls that may be associated with an early 20th
century homestead. The features may have been constructed to control erosion, since it is
situated on a steep slope that is unlikely to have been used for agriculture. The features may have
been constructed to stabilize the slope in conjunction with planting eucalyptus trees in response
to deforestation by sugar cane plantations as the land expanded its acreage in sugar. The
eucalyptus may also have been intended to provide timber and firewood.
Site 25537 is a concrete wall that retains a dirt road. The use of formed concrete at Site 25537
indicates a probable 20th century date for the site. The road is part of a network of roads
associated with sugar planting and harvesting, and it is likely that the site was constructed by the
Hamakua Sugar Company or its predecessor, the Hamakua Mill Company.
No traditional Hawaiian sites were identified. This was expected because according to the
archaeologist, the density of traditional sites in this area would have been low and because little
archaeological evidence for use and temporary habitation would remain. Habitation structures
would probably have been made entirely of perishable materials, wood and thatch, because
surface stones are rare in the area. Any archaeological evidence in the tillable portions of the
Pa'auilo Lands would have been destroyed by the extensive mechanized cultivation of sugar
cane. Although terraces for taro cultivation of wet taro are known for the Hamakua Coast, the
project area drainages (gulches) are narrow, steep-walled, and relatively straight, and have been
periodically scoured during heavy rains. The gulches are unlikely to contain cultural deposits.
The sites were assessed as significant for information value, Criterion "d," as described in the
DLNR Rules Governing Procedures for Historic Preservation Review. The mapping, written
descriptions, photography, and excavation done during the inventory survey have adequately
documented them, and no further work or preservation is recommended.
27
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The two sites identified during the inventory survey have been adequately documented, and no
further work, or preservation, is recommended for them. The sale of the Pa`auilo Lands is not
expected to affect archaeological resources.
Final approval of the archaeological inventory survey conducted for this property is pending
State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) approval. Because of the long history of ground
disturbance related to sugar cane cultivation, it is highly unlikely that any significant historic
sites would be found on the property. Should any historic remains such as artifacts, burials,
concentrations of shell or charcoal be encountered during construction activities, work shall
cease immediately in the vicinity of the find. The SHPD shall be contacted immediately and the
find shall be protected from damage. SHPD will assess the significance of the find and
recommend appropriate mitigation measures,if necessary.
4.2 CULTURAL RESOURCES
Pa'auilo is a large, rural community along the Hamakua Coast. The community lies on both sides
of Mamalahoa Highway. The subject property lies within the former Pa`auilo Homesteads. There
are several place names associated with the project site and the vicinity. They are listed below
and include a translation(if available) as found on the search engine Ulukau:
Pa`auilo—no translation
• Manienie-Bermuda grass
• Manienie Gulch: no translation; joins Opihilala Gulch at 820 ft. elev. to form
Waipunahina Gulch.
Opihilala—no translation
• Hauola — dew of life; there was a heiau said to be located "at place of same name, not
identified; said to have been an ancient puuhonua."
`A`amanu - birds panic stricken; `A`amanu gulch is the boundary between `A`amanu
and Pa`auilo.
Waipunalau Gulch—many water springs;boundary between Pa`auilo and Pouki`i.
Pohakea Homesteads: white stone
After thoroughly searching the old Hawaiian newspapers for all of the place names above, no
significant stories or legends associated with the area were found. In fact, most references to
these place names in the old newspapers were related to deaths.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Hilo Office was contacted in order to connect with any native
Hawaiians from the area who may be able to provide information on cultural resources,
practices, or history. Mr. Walter Victor, Jr., president of the Laupahoehoe Hawaiian Civic Club,
was contacted on more than one occasion both by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and by the
preparer of this Environmental Assessment,however, no response was ever received.
28
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Ms. Irene Angot, President of the Pa`auilo Senior Citizens Group was contacted and she
arranged interviews with Ms. Sandra Gomes and Ms. Nancy Kidani, both of Pa`auilo. Both Ms.
Gomes and Ms. Kidani were interviewed in November 2006. The following summaries are
provided:
Ms. Kidani was born on April 22, 1926 in Kapahu, Hawaii. Her parents were Hatsuyo
and Kichigo Yamamoto. Ms. Kidani was raised in Kapahu and has resided in Pa`auilo for
the last 56 years. She is one of 10 children, and is the third oldest. In referring to her large
family, Ms. Kidani stated that everyone had gardens, chickens, eggs, and ducks that they
survived on. During her working years, Ms. Kidani was a seamstress and also did
farming.
As a child, Ms. Kidani walked to Kapahu School, which took 20 minutes. Ms. Kidani
fondly recalled that they were often chased by cows on their walk to/from school. When
asked if they ever came across Hawaiian sites such as heiau when they would walk
to/from school, Ms. Kidani responded "never"because it was all ranch land. When asked
if the project site was ever frequented for the gathering of cultural resources, Ms. Kidani
explained that those areas were part of homesteads, so you did not go on other people's
property.
Ms. Kidani was raised on a 61-acre farm which was planted in coffee and had 16 cattle.
They would come home after school and work on the farm, sometimes picking coffee
until dark. Someone would come and pick up their coffee harvests and take it to Kona.
Kapahu School educated children up until the sixth grade and after that students went to
Honoka`a School by bus. Eventually, Pa`auilo School opened and students who attended
school beyond Grade 6 went there. Ms. Kidani said that most people only went to school
up until the sixth or ninth grade and then would drop out. She went to school until the
tenth grade and would have kept attending had the World War not broken out. In 1947,
the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) came to her home three times. Her father was
originally from Japan and was a soldier there before he migrated to Hawaii. She recalls
fearing for her life because of the way that she was looked at as a Japanese American
when she walked to school. She and her family were very afraid that her father would be
taken away (as one other man in town was). Due to the pressure of being a Japanese
American at that time, her father dug a cesspool type hole and buried all of his things
from Japan, including his sword and military uniform.
Ms. Sandra Gomes was born on February 18, 1936 in Honaunau, Kona, Hawaii. Her
parents were Saturino Bailado (Philippines) and Miriam Keomalu Bailado (Pa`auilo). Ms.
Gomes' mother gave birth to 24 children, of which 13 survived. Ms. Gomes grew up in
Pa`auilo and now resides on Hauola Lane in Pa`auilo.
Ms. Gomes stated that her mother knew of many Hawaiian stories from the area, but she
could not recall any of them during the interview. She does recall going to a Chinese
graveyard in `kamanu as a child. The graveyard was located makai of the present
highway and was known for its abundance of mango.
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Ms. Gomes recalled that her grandmother used to live where the Kamehameha Schools is
now located in Pa`auilo; she said there is a gulch there where they used to go down and
wash their clothes. There were also school cottages where the Pa`auilo School is now
located.
When Ms. Gomes was a child, Pa`auilo town had two theaters (one old and one new), the
Arita Hotel, two Japanese churches, five stores (one with a restaurant), one barber, one
jewelry store, and the Catholic Church was newly built. There was a school up mauka in
Kapahu that Ms. Gomes mother used to walk to from their property, which was located
makai of the present highway.
For work, Ms. Gomes used to pick coffee in Kona and macadamia nuts in Kea`au. She
also was a teacher's aide and worked in sales. Ms. Gomes opened Sandra's General Store
in Kukaiau and ran it from 1985-1994. Before her health began to decline, Ms. Gomes
aimed to start a museum for Pa`auilo that would contain memorabilia from the ranchers,
store owners, and plantation days.
Ranching was a big part of life in Pa`auilo; there was the DeLuz Ranch, the Ramos
Ranch and a slaughterhouse owned by DeLuz. There were also a lot of ranch workers.
Plantation History:
According to the University of Hawai`i's Plantation Archives, the Hamakua Mill Company
(HMC) was located in Pa`auilo from 1882-1959. The HMC was founded by Mr. Theophilus H.
Davies and Mr. Charles Notley, Sr. The plantation encompassed an area of approximately 6
miles, with one side of the plantation bordered by the ocean and the other side rising to an
elevation of approximately 2,000 feet.
By 1910, over 4,800 acres were cultivated in sugar and a railroad system was in use for
transporting sugar cane. As was typical of plantations along the Hamakua Coast, no irrigation
was necessary. During 1910, the HMC boasted over 600 employees (considerable when
compared to the 2000 Census population of 571) and had a company store. There was also a
school and several churches in Pa`auilo. In 1914, Kukaiau Plantation merged with the HMC. in
1974, the HMC became a part of the Laupahoehoe Sugar Company.
The Hawaii Consolidated Railway line ended at Pa`auilo,it did not continue on to Honoka`a due
to a shortage of funding. It was a Hilo-based railroad that served the plantation communities
during the early 20`, century. Before sugar, Pa`auilo's economy was driven by coffee and cattle.
It is clear from the interviews with Ms. Gomes and Ms. Kidani that although they themselves did
not work for the sugar plantations, the plantation did have a large influence on the way of life in
Pa`auilo.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
As no culturally significant resources are activities were found to occur in the project area, no
impacts to cultural resources are anticipated.
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4.3 NOISE
Currently, the project site is vacant, open land. No significant noise is generated on site, and
ambient noise in the area emanates from wind, wildlife, and the infrequent traffic along the
various access roads in the project vicinity. It is anticipated that land uses after the sale of the
Pa`auilo Lands will be consistent with current zoning and, therefore, consistent with current uses
on adjacent properties.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Before the sale of the lands, traffic on various access roads in the project vicinity will likely
increase slightly as potential lot buyers inspect the properties. This will cause minimal, short-
term, intermittent increases in noise levels. The sale itself will have no long-term noise impacts
on the project vicinity.
Future land uses and activities would have to comply with Chapter 11-46, HAR, regarding
Community Noise Control.
4.4 AIR QUALITY
Air quality in Hawaii is among the best in the nation, and criteria pollutant levels remain well
below state and federal ambient air quality standards. The State Department of Health, Clean Air
Branch (CAB) monitors the ambient air in Hawaii and has established a statewide system of
monitoring stations whose primary purpose is ensuring that air quality standards are met (CAB
2004).
Generally, air quality is affected by regional and local climate together with the amount and type
of human activity in any given location. Federal and state ambient air quality standards have
been established to regulate six parameters: particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide,
carbon monoxide, ozone, and lead. No state or county air-quality monitoring stations exist in the
vicinity of the Pa`auilo Lands.
Air quality in the vicinity of the Pa`auilo Lands may be affected by pollutants from widely
dispersed agricultural sources, such as concentrations of cattle and fugitive mists from infrequent
spraying for agricultural pests. Other sources are emissions from occasional vehicular traffic on
area roads and from farm machinery.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
There are no large, stationary sources of air pollutants and no major industries that would
contribute to air pollution within, or in the vicinity of, the project area. The sale of the Pa`auilo
Lands involves no development or land alteration, and thus, will not affect air quality in the
vicinity.
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Potential future land uses based on existing zoning of A-40a and A-5a, include agricultural uses
and the "worst case" calculation of 32 farm dwellings. Future uses would need to be undertaken
in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations. Other pollutants would be quickly
dispersed by the prevailing winds.
4.5 VISUAL RESOURCES AND OPEN SPACE
The natural beauty of Hawaii is a universally recognized and considered to be a significant and
valuable asset. Various portions of the Pa`auilo Lands offer spectacular views of the ocean, the
upper slopes and summit of Mauna Kea, and the richly vegetated,broad lower slopes descending
to the coast. In some mauka areas, near boundaries with private land and the Hamakua Forest
Reserve, there are views of native forest containing koa and `ohi`a trees.
The Pa`auilo Lands themselves are not listed in the General Plait as examples of natural beauty.
Current zoning would preserve the current open space character of the lands.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The sale of the Pa`auilo Lands involves no development or land alteration, and thus, will not
affect visual resources in the vicinity. Should future land owners choose to construct farm
dwellings or agricultural structures, the heights for a residential structure within the agricultural
district are limited to 35-feet and 45-feet for all other structures. The height limit ensures that
visual resources will not be greatly affected should future land owners decide to construct farm
dwellings and related agricultural structures.
4.6 POPULATION
At the time of the 2000 U.S. census, Hawaii County's population was 148,677, having grown
from 120,317 in 1990. At same time, 571 people lived in the Pa`auilo Census Designated Place
(CDP), down from 587 in 1990 (DBEDT 2005).
In general, the CDP is slightly younger than Hawai`i County as a whole, and has a racial mix that
is somewhat less Asian and significantly less Caucasian. The CDP also has more households
with children under 18 and significantly more single-parent households headed by females. In
the CDP, a significantly smaller percentage of people rent the homes they live in.
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Table 3.Demographic Characteristics: 2000
Subject Pa`auilo CDP Hawaii Count
Number Percent Number Percent
Total Population 571 - 148,677 100.0
AGE
Under 5 years 31 5.4 9,130 6.1
5- 19 years 148 25.9 33,690 22.7
20-64 years 298 52.1 85,738 57.6
65 years and over 94 16.4 20,119 13.5
Median Age(years) 37.4 - 38.6 -
RACE(alone or in combination with one or more)
White 86 15.1 77,477 52.1
Black or African American 1 0.2 1,789 1.2
American Indian and Alaska Native 4 0.7 4,847 3.3
Asian 238 41.7 70,921 47.7
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 32 5.6 46,111 31.0
Other 205 35.9 7,271 49
HOUSEHOLD(by type)
Total Households 191 100.0 52,985 100.0
Family Households(families) 142 743 36,903 69.6
With own children under 18 years 60 42.3 17,072 32.2
Married-couple family 102 53.4 26,828 50.6
With own children under 18 years 48 47.1 11,302 21.3
Female householder,no husband present 29 14.1 7,000 13.2
With own children under 18 years 7 25.9 4,095 7.7
Non-families 49 25.7 16,082 30.4
Living alone 40 20.9 12,240 23.1
65 years and over 20 10.5 4,214 8.0
Average persons per household 2.99 - 2.75 -
HOUSING OCCUPANCY AND TENURE
Total Housing Units 198 100.0 62,674 100.0
Occupied units 191 96.5 52,985 84.5
By owner 162 84.8 34,175 64.5
By renter 29 15.2 18,810 35.5
Vacant units 7 3.5 9,689 15.5
INCOME IN 1999
Median household income $35,659 - $39,805 -
Source:DBEDT 2005.
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Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will not directly introduce new residents to the project
area. Although the sale of the lands will not directly affect population, there are potential impacts
to population based on possible future uses of the lands, as allowed by existing zoning
designations for the lands. Based on the "worst case" calculation of 32 lots described earlier,
approximately 32 farm dwellings could potentially be built on the Pa`auilo Lands after the sale.
Using the average household size of 2.99 for the Pa`auilo CDP, approximately 96 persons could
potentially be added to the population of Pa`auilo after the Lands are sold if a dwelling is
constructed on each parcel. This would represent an increase of approximately 16.8 percent.
However, it is not expected that 32 dwellings would be constructed because there are no plans to
provide direct utility upgrades (water or electric) to the parcels.
4.7 HOUSING
There are currently no homes on the lands. The homes that exist near the project site are rather
spread out as they are situated on large agricultural lots. The clustering of homes in Pa`auilo is
denser as some of them were part of the old plantation camps.
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands itself will not directly affect the existing housing
inventory in the area. However, purchasers of the lands could construct farm dwellings on some
of the properties. Based on the "worst case" calculation of 32 lots described earlier, the number
of potential farm dwellings that could be built is 32.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will not directly affect the housing inventory in the Pa`auilo area.
Although an increase in agricultural activity would be beneficial, the lack of water and
infrastructure will probably limit the intensity of such agricultural uses and it is assumed that any
need for housing will be reasonably accommodated within the specific parcel or by existing
housing in the area. Based on the foregoing, no adverse impacts to housing are expected, and no
mitigation measures are planned.
4.8 LIFESTYLE AND CHARACTER OF THE COMMUNITY
The Pa`auilo area is largely a rural community, best known for its open spaces, ranching, and
country lifestyle.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Because the Pa`auilo Lands are expected to retain their current zoning, their sale and subsequent
use is not expected to significantly alter their rural character. Future potential use of the lands,
which may include a "worst case" scenario of 32 farm dwellings, could moderately increase the
number of homes in the area and lead to a moderate increase in the population as discussed in
Sections 4.6 and 4.7 above.
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4.9 THE ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT
Specific data for the economy of the Pa`auilo area is not available, but the Hawaii County
General Plan (County of Hawaii 2005a) discusses the economy of the Hamakua District, of
which Pa`auilo is a part. Despite the closing of Hamakua Sugar in 1994, the population of the
Hamakua region has grown moderately, primarily due to the development of major resorts in the
neighboring district of Kohala. The economy has come to depend on cattle, macadamia nuts, and
diversified agriculture. There are numerous cattle ranches in Hamakua and several varieties of
crops are grown in addition to macadamia nuts.
In mauka Pa`auilo, the Hawaiian Vanilla Company currently has one acre of vanilla in
production, and in the future may cultivate vanilla on as many as 25 acres. John Paul Mitchell
Systems' `Awapuhi Farm, which borders the Pa`auilo Lands, raises `awapuhi ginger for use in
personal care products. Other crops grown in the Hamakua area are taro, watermelon, tomatoes,
ginger, kava, coffee, and other vegetables. Manufacturing in the area is limited to processing
agricultural crops, although a 60-megawatt co-generation power plant at Haina is expected to
encourage other manufacturing activities (County of Hawaii 2005a).
Of the residents aged 16 years or older recorded for Pa`auilo the CDP in the 2000 census,
approximately 56 percent were in the labor force (DBEDT 2005). Of these, 28.7 percent worked
in service occupations and 26.5 percent in management and professional occupations. Smaller
numbers worked in production, transportation, and materials moving (12.6 percent); construction
(10.3 percent); and in farming, fishing and forestry (5.8 percent).
Median household income was $34,659 for the Pa`auilo CDP. This compares with a median
income of$39,805 for Hawai`i County and$49,820 for the state(DBEDT 2005).
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Sale of the Pa`auilo Lands itself will not significantly affect economic conditions in the
community. However, the future potential agricultural use of the lands can only enhance the
agricultural economic base of the Hamakua area. The potential increase in agricultural activity
would likely create long term agricultural related jobs together with short-term, construction-
related jobs resulting from the potential construction of farm dwellings. Should any of the
purchasers decide to construct farm dwellings, local businesses would also benefit from an
increase in the demand for goods and services due to a slight increase in population.
In light of the economic impact of the closing of Hamakua Sugar, returning these Pa`auilo Lands
to agricultural use consistent with its agricultural zoning would benefit the local economy. Also
important to the recovering economy of Hamakua is the work of the CTAHR Hamakua Research
Station located in the area of these Pa`auilo Lands that tests and develops crops and livestock to
succeed in the mauka Hamakua environment. CTHAR currently accesses its agricultural research
station through a road passing through parcels 4-3-07:1, 4-3-11:01 and 02. A County easement
will be retained on this road through the subject properties. This also will allow for the
possibility of public use if those road sections over private lands ever becomes publicly
accessible.
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5.0 ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND
PUBLIC SERVICES, AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND
MITIGATION MEASURES
This chapter discusses the existing infrastructure of the project area and the proposed
infrastructure improvements. Mitigation measures have also been identified to address potential
impacts.
On-site Improvements. Infrastructure on the Pa`auilo Lands consists of a network of roads in
good to poor condition. No on-site improvements are required or planned with regard to the
proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands. After the sale, the purchasers may be required to implement
improvements to on-site infrastructure consistent with the nature of the land use.
Off-site Improvements. No off-site improvements are required or planned with regard to the
proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands.
5.1 TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
Existing Roadways. TMK 4-3-11:02 is accessed from Hawaii Belt Road by means of Pohakea
Road, Manienic Road, and an unpaved extension of Manienie Road. Lots 4-3-7:01, and 4-3-
11:01, are currently accessed from Hawaii Belt Road, approximately 100 yards south of the
Pa'auilo Post Office, by means of an unpaved, gated extension off of a paved, privately owned,
one- and two-lane road known locally as "Water Tank Road." Although the road is open and is
utilized by many people including CTHAR staff to access its Experiment and Research Station,
it is a former plantation road on land now owned by Kamehameha Schools. Given private
ownership, should access to this road be lost in the future, access to lots within TMKS 4-3-7:01,
and 4-3-11:01 will have to be through TMK 4-3-11:02 utilizing easements created by the County
of Hawaii prior to its sale. TMKs 4-3-09:19 and 24 are accessed via Antone De Luz Road and a
narrow private road that connects to the top of"Water Tank Road" (See Figures 6 and 7) . These
and other roads in the project vicinity are described below:
• Hawaii Belt Road is a two-way, two-lane arterial highway located makai of the
project site.
• Antone De Luz Road is a narrow, curving paved county road that connects with
Hawaii Belt Road, east of Water Tank Road. For a short distance, this road runs
adjacent to the northeast boundary of TMK 4-3-9:19.
• "Water Tank Road" is a paved, privately owned, one- and two-lane road on land
now owned by Kamehameha Schools. It runs mauka—makai and intersects Hawaii
Belt Road approximately 0.8 miles northwest of Antone DeLuz Road, near the
Pa`auilo Post Office. Unpaved extensions off of this road extend through TMKs 4-3-
7:01,4-3-11:01 and 02, to the CTAHR research station.
• Pohakea Mauka Road is curving, paved two-lane County-maintained road
northwest of the project area. It extends from Hawaii Belt Road to an intersection
with Manienie Road at approximately the 2,000 foot elevation.
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Manienie Road is an unpaved, one-lane road, in good condition, portions of which is
maintained by the County. It extends roughly east from the intersection with Pohakea
Road, to the northern edge of TMK 4-3-11:02. Manienie Road extends past TMK 4-
3-11:02 and becomes impassable when it intersects a gulch.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The Pa`auilo Lands are currently vacant. The proposed sale of the lands may cause traffic to
increase slightly on roads that access the properties due to potential buyers visiting the site. After
the land sale, traffic on these roads may increase somewhat, depending on future land uses such
as agricultural uses and construction of new farm dwellings. Impacts are not, however, expected
to be significant.
Practical and legal access to the various lots proposed for sale, as well as to the CTHAR
Experiment and Research Station will be preserved by way of various easements that have been
created by the County of Hawaii prior to sale. However, it must be stressed that the maintenance
of these easements will be the responsibility of the purchasers and will not be County maintained
roads.
In response to concerns over preserving access to the forest reserve, the County of Hawaii will
reserve rights to establish public access over these easements to the forest reserve areas mauka of
these Pa`auilo lands to be sold by the County of Hawai`i. Although the County of Hawai`i will
maintain rights to establish public access rights over these easements, there is no intent on the
part of the County of Hawaii to exercise those rights unless there is clear agreement on its
maintenance as the County of Hawaii will not maintain roads for the sole purpose of access to
forest reserve.
In response to those same concerns, the County of Hawaii will not be selling any existing
homestead roads as part of these sales of its Pa`auilo lands. These existing homestead road right-
of-ways will be retained for now regardless of whether there is a physical road or not. Although
no homestead road right-of-ways will be sold in connection with this sale of the subject County
owned Pa`auilo lands, this does not preclude the County of Hawaii from considering future
sales of abandoned roads in the area. Such future sales, if any, will be considered under a
separate action and will be subject to the normal approval process for the sale of abandoned
roads or remnants.
The County will retain all government roads as depicted in Figure 7.
$.2 WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES
The nearest County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply facility is approximately 4,000 feet
from the northwest corner of TMK 4-3-11:02. The DWS has stated that they will not allow
additional services from its existing 4-inch water line within Pohakealani Road, near the
southeast corner of TMK 4-3-11:02 until extensive water system improvements are made.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The Pa`auilo Lands are currently vacant. Their proposed sale may lead to an increase in the
demand for water in the project vicinity as the purchasers may initiate agricultural uses or
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establish dwellings on the properties. The DWS is not, however, allowing new hookups from its
existing 4-inch water line until extensive water improvements are made. There are no plans for
any water improvements; therefore, any increased demand for water would need to be met
through the use of rainwater-catch stored in tanks or reservoirs.
5.3 WASTEWATER FACILITIES
There are no wastewater treatment facilities in the vicinity of the project site.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
While the proposed sale itself will not cause an increase in the demand for wastewater treatment,
future land use of the Pa`auilo Lands, such as farm dwellings, could require wastewater
treatment. After the sale, should the purchasers decide to construct dwellings, the subject
properties will be served by individual septic tanks, as regulated by the State Department of
Health.
5.4 DRAINAGE FACILITIES
The project area contains Opihilala Gulch,Waipunalau Gulch, `A`amanu Gulch, and Pa`auilo Gulch
(Figure 1), but it does not contain, or lie within, a flood zone. Slopes within the Pa`auilo Lands
average 1 l percent and trend downward from southwest to northeast. Ground surface elevations
range from approximately 1,400 feet above amsl to 2,400 feet above amsl.
The permeability of the natural ground surface within the Pa`auilo Lands is moderately rapid to
rapid, and runoff is slow to moderate, and generally flowing toward the gulches.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands is not expected to affect area drainage. It is possible that
berms dating to the plantation period may remain within the Pa`auilo Lands and may influence
drainage.
Depending on future land use after the sale, the purchasers may be required to implement
drainage improvements in compliance with the Hawaii County Code, Chapter 10, Sections 25
and 26.
5.5 SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
According to the Update to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan for the County Of
Hawaii, in 2002, the total amount of solid waste managed by the county system was
approximately 160,000 tons (Harding ESE, 2002). The two landfills on the island are the South
Hilo Landfill and the Pu`uanahulu Landfill. The South Hilo Landfill is rapidly filling up and will
have to close within the next two to five years (Geometrician Associates, 2006). The estimated
lifespan of the Pu`uanahulu Landfill, with a 15 percent diversion rate and receiving only West
Hawaii waste, is until the year 2049. If the Pu`uanahulu Landfill receives all of the county's
waste, and if planned recycling and resource recovery efforts progress (potentially increasing the
diversion rate to 45 percent), then the Pu`uanahulu Landfill has capacity until the year 2045.
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Additionally, the proposed waste reduction technology in East Hawaii could potentially expand
the Pu`uanahulu Landfill beyond the year 2049 (County of Hawaii, 2004).
The Pa`auilo transfer station serves Pa`auilo and is located mauka of the 37-mile marker. From
this transfer station, solid waste is hauled to the county landfill at Pu`uanahulu.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will have no direct affect on county solid waste disposal
facilities.
Future use of the lands could add slightly (less than 1 percent) to the county's solid-waste
stream. The overall daily per capita municipal solid waste generation for Hawaii County is 6.2
pounds (Harding ESE, 2002). Using the average household size of 2.99 for the Pa`auilo CDP,
approximately 96 persons could potentially be added to the population after the lands are sold,
should each new land owner choose to construct a farm dwelling. If the average amount of solid
waste generated per person, per day is 6.2 pounds, then one can assume that approximately 98.5
tons of solid waste will be generated per year from this project site, should each new land owner
choose to construct a farm dwelling in the future and each home is occupied by approximately 3
persons. Demand on the Pa`auilo transfer station could increase somewhat, but demand on the
Pu`uanahulu Landfill would not significantly increase. However, it should be noted that the
waste generation could be substantially less if future purchasers decide not to establish dwellings
on their agricultural properties.
5.6 ELECTRICAL FACILITIES
Currently, HELCO has 4160Volt Distribution Overhead lines running from the Pa`auilo
Substation along Hawaii Belt Road, up Pohakea Road, through Pohakea Mauka Road and along
Pohakea Lam Road. The Pa`auilo substation contains a 1,275 KW transformer. Of that capacity,
960 KW is used during peak periods of the year, which yields a 25 percent available overhead.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will have no direct affect on the demand for electrical
services. The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will not directly introduce new residents to the
project area. Future land uses may require electricity service. Options would be the use of off-
the-grid alternatives such as generators and photovoltaic devices.
5.7 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
Public Schools. One public school is located near the project site, Pa`auilo Elementary and
Intermediate School, which serves grades K-9. During the 2005-2006 school year, the school
had an enrollment of 241, well below its present capacity of 336. Current projections have
enrollment virtually unchanged through 2011. Pa`auilo students in grades 10 through 12 attend
Honoka`a High School, which operated at slightly over its 818-student capacity in 2005, with
835 students. By 2011, enrollment at the school is projected to increase to 885 (Pers. Comm. Ken
Kajihara, Department of Education,Facilities Division July 5, 2006).
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Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands itself will not directly affect the existing population or
introduce school-aged children to the area.
Utilizing the "worst case" calculation of 32 dwellings, school-aged children may be introduced
to the area and affect area schools. However, this fact is not known at this time and therefore
cannot be discussed in this EA.
5.8 POLICE PROTECTION
The Pa`auilo area is served by the Honoka`a police station, which is located approximately seven
miles from the Pa`auilo Lands at 45-3400 Mamane Street, in Honoka`a. The Honoka`a police
station has a staff of 18, including administration. It is manned 24 hours per day in three shifts,
with five officers normally on duty per shift.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will not directly introduce new residents to the project
area and is not anticipated to increase demand for police services.
If purchasers of the lands construct homes there, a "worst case" scenario of 32 farm dwellings
could yield approximately 96 persons. Relative to the total population served by the Honoka`a
police station, the potential increase that would be attributable to the sale of the Pa`auilo Lands is
small and not expected to significantly increase the demand for police services.
5.9 FIRE PROTECTION
Fire protective service and rescue services for the Hawaii County are provided by the Hawaii
County Fire Department, which operates 14 regular fire stations and 18 volunteer fire stations.
One fire station (at Pohakuloa) is federally operated. The 14 regular fire stations and three of the
volunteer stations (Laupahoehoe, Pahala, and Na`alehu) provide 24-hour fire protection and
emergency medical services. All fire personnel who provide advanced and basic life support
possess appropriate certification and licenses (Hawai`i County 2005a). The nearest station for the
Pa`auilo Lands is located at 45-3388 Mamane Street, in Honoka`a, approximately 6.5 miles from
the project lands.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will not directly increase the need for fire and
emergency services in the vicinity.
If purchasers of the lands construct homes there, a"worst case" calculation of 32 farm dwellings
could yield approximately 96 persons. Relative to the total population served by the Honoka`a
fire station, the potential increase that would be attributable to the sale of the Pa`auilo Lands is
small and not expected to significantly increase the demand for fire and emergency services.
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5.10 HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Hale Ho`ola Hamakua long-term care facility (formerly Honoka`a Hospital), in Honoka`a is the
primary healthcare facility serving the Hamakua District Located approximately 10 miles from
the Pa`auilo Lands, Hale Ho`ola Hamakua is an acute and long-term care hospital with 50 beds
(4 acute and long-term care and 46 skilled nursing and intermediate care), and 24-hour
emergency room services.
North Hawaii Community Hospital also serves the Pa`auilo area. Located in Waimea, at 67-
1125 Mamalahoa Highway, approximately 21 miles from the project area, North Hawaii
Community Hospital has 40 acute-care beds and offers 24-hour emergency service (NHCW
2006). Non-emergency medical facilities for the Pa`auilo area are located at the Hamakua Health
Center, adjacent to Hale Ho`ola Hamakua.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will not directly increase the need for healthcare in the
vicinity.
If purchasers of the lands construct homes there, a"worst case" calculation of 32 farm dwellings
could yield approximately 96 persons. Relative to the total population served by the Hale Ho'61a
Hamakua long-term care facility, the potential increase that would be attributable to the sale of
the Pa`auilo Lands is small and not expected to significantly increase the demand for healthcare
facilities in the area.
$.11 COMMUNITY SERVICES
The following community services and public facilities are located in the vicinity of the Pa`auilo
Lands:
• Pa`auilo Park, which contains a community center and a gym
• St. Joseph Church
• St. Columbia Episcopal Church
• Pa`auilo Hongwangi Mission
• Pa`auilo Kongoji Mission
• Pa`auilo Post Office
• Various shops and businesses in Pa`auilo.
Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures
The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands itself will not directly affect the population in the
project vicinity and will not dramatically affect the demand for community services or public
facilities. However, based on the "worst case" scenario for 32 additional farm dwellings, the
resulting population increase in the area of up to 96 people is not expected to overburden existing
community services and public facilities.
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6.0 LAND USE CONFORMANCE
This section describes the State of Hawaii and County of Hawaii land use plans, policies, and
ordinances relevant to the proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands.
6.1 STATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT LAW, CHAPTER 343,
HAWAII REVISED STATUTES
This Environmental Assessment is prepared pursuant to Chapter 343, HRS and Section 11-200-
4, HAR, which states that, "the governor, or an authorized representative, whenever an action
proposes the use of state/county lands or the use of state/county funds, or, whenever a state
agency proposes an action within section 11-200-6(b) shall be the final authority to accept an
environmental impact statement."
Since the proposed project requires the use of county lands and funds, it will comply with
applicable provisions of Chapter 343, HRS and Section 11-200-4, HAR. Therefore, the Governor
or designated representative, the County of Hawaii, Department of Finance, will act as the
Accepting Authority for the Sale of Pa`auilo Lands environmental assessment.
Upon publication of the draft environmental assessment (DEA) in the Office of Environmental
Quality Control's (OEQC) August 23, 2006 edition of The Environmental Notice, a 30-day
review period commenced. All comments and applicable responses are provided in Appendix E
of this document.
6.1.1 Chapter 205,Hawaii Revised Statutes—State Land Use Law
The State Land Use Law establishes the Land Use Commission (LUC) and gives this body the
authority to designate all lands in the state into one of four districts: Urban, Rural, Agricultural,
or Conservation. The Pa`auilo Lands are within the Agriculture District(Figure 3).
6.1.2 Chapter 226,Hawaii Revised Statutes—Hawaii State Plan
The Hawaii State Plan serves as a guide for the future long-range development within the state;
it identifies goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the state and provides a basis for
determining priorities and allocating limited resources, such as public funds, services, human
resources, land, energy, water, and other resources. The Hawaii State Plan also improves the
coordination of federal, state, and county plans, policies, programs, projects, and regulatory
activities, and establishes a system for formulating plans and coordinating programs to integrate
all major state and county activities. Sections of the Hawaii State Plan applicable to the Pa`auilo
Lands are discussed in the following pages.
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Section 226-4 State goals:
In order to guarantee,for present and future generations, those elements of choice and mobility
that insure that individuals and groups may approach their desired levels of self-reliance and
self-determination, it shall be the goal of'the State to achieve:
(1) A strong, viable economy, characterized by stability, diversity, and growth, that enables
the fulfillment of the needs and expectations of Hawaii's present and future generations.
Discussion: The sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will support the local economy by opening up
approximately 740 currently fallow acres for agricultural use in an area in which agriculture has
long been the economic mainstay. Agricultural use of the lands could also provide jobs in the
Pa'auilo area and opportunities for small farmers and ranchers. Should any of the purchasers
decide to construct dwellings, local businesses would also benefit from an increase in the
demand for goods and services due to a slight increase in population.
Section 226-5 Objective and policies for population:
(a) It shall be the objective in planning for the State's population to guide population growth
to be consistent with the achievement of physical, economic, and social objectives
contained in this chapter.
(b) To achieve the population objective, it shall be the policy of this State to:
(2) Encourage an increase in economic activities and employment opportunities on the
neighbor islands consistent with community needs and desires.
(3) Promote increased opportunities for Hawaii's people to pursue their socio-economic
aspirations throughout the Islands.
(7) Plan the development and availability of land and water resources in a coordinated
manner so as to provide for the desired levels of growth in each geographic area.
Discussion: Since the demise of Hamakua Sugar in 1994, the economy in Hamakua has
struggled. The proposed project complies with these objectives and policies by allowing people
to pursue their socio-economic aspirations by opening up approximately 740 acres to farming
and ranching in an area where these pursuits have been economic mainstays. This will provide
opportunities for small farmers and ranchers in the area. in addition, local businesses could see
an increase in the demand for goods and services as a result of use of the lands.
Section 226-7 Objectives and policies for the economy--agriculture
(a) Planning for the State's economy with regard to agriculture shall be directed towards
achievement of the following objectives:
(2) Growth and development of diversified agriculture throughout the State.
(3) An agriculture industry that continues to constitute a dynamic and essential
component of Hawaii's strategic, economic, and social well-being.
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(b) To achieve the agriculture objectives, it shall be the policy of this State to:
(2) Encourage agriculture by making best use of natural resources.
Discussion: Since the demise of Hamakua Sugar in 1994, the Hamakua District has looked more
and more to diversified agriculture to fill the economic void left by the sugar industry. Hawai`i's
land is a valuable natural resource. The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will transfer
approximately 740 acres of government lands to private hands, with the expectation that the
lands will be used for agriculture.
Section 226-11 Objectives and policies for the physical environment— land-based, shoreline,
and marine resources:
(a) Planning for the State's physical environment with regard to land-based, shoreline, and
marine resources shall be directed towards achievement of the following objectives.
(2) Effective protection of Hawaii's unique and fragile environmental resources.
(b) To achieve the land-based, shoreline, and marine resources objectives, it shall be the
policy of this State to:
(1) Exercise an overall conservation ethic in the use of Hawaii's natural resources.
(3) Take into account the physical attributes of areas when planning and designing
activities and facilities.
(4) Manage natural resources and environs to encourage their beneficial and multiple use
without generating costly or irreparable environmental damage.
(6) Encourage the protection of rare or endangered plant and animal species and habitats
native to Hawaii.
(8) Pursue compatible relationships among activities,facilities, and natural resources.
Discussion: This EA identifies and discusses environmental resources occurring on the project
site. Several surveys of the site have been conducted, and features such as slope, soil, drainage,
flora, fauna, and archaeology have been identified. Potential impacts resulting from the project
have been discussed in this EA, which also reports on proposed mitigation measures.
Botanical survey of the Pa`auilo Lands revealed that the site contains no plant species listed or
proposed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Hawaii State
Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The Faunal survey observed the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat foraging over portions of the
project area. It is speculated that the project area's gulches may support this endangered
mammal. The survey also recorded the endangered Hawaiian Hawk within the project area.
Despite the observation of these two endangered animals, the faunal survey report concludes
that, "The proposed sale and subsequent use of the Pa`auilo Lands is not expected to have any
substantial deleterious impact on native avian and mammalian species present in the area."
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Section 226-12 Objective and policies for the physical environment — scenic, natural beauty,
and historic resources:
(a) Planning for the State's physical environment shall be directed towards achievement of
the objective of enhancement of Hawaii's scenic assets, natural beauty, and multi-
cultural/historical resources.
(b) To achieve the scenic, natural beauty, and historic resources objective, it shall be the
policy of this State to:
(1) Promote the preservation and restorationn of significant natural and historic resources.
(3) Promote the preservation of views and vistas to enhance the visual and aesthetic
enjoyment of mountains, ocean, scenic landscapes, and other natural features.
(4) Protect those special areas, structures, and elements that are an integral and
functional part of Hawaii's ethnic and cultural heritage.
(5) Encourage the design of developments and activities that complement the natural
beauty of the islands.
Discussion: The sale of the Pa`auilo Lands itself will not alter existing land use, which is
primarily open, fallow former sugar cane land. No significant archaeological or historical
resources are present on the lands. The lands are expected to retain their current zoning after the
sale and be put to agricultural use; thus, views and vistas will largely be maintained. Bringing the
lands into agricultural use is consistent with the cultural heritage of the Pa`auilo area, which has
a tradition of ranching and farming. Use of the Lands for agriculture will complement the natural
beauty of the area.
6.1.3 Chapter 226,Hawaii Revised Statutes—State Functional Plans
The Hawaii State Plan is primarily guided by the State Functional Plans (Chapter 226, HRS)
and implemented by the State Department of Budget and Finance and the LUC. State Functional
Plans, prepared by various state agencies with citizen input, provide specific recommendations
for action. The areas addressed by the plans are: agriculture, conservation lands, education,
employment, energy, health, higher education, historic preservation, housing, human services,
recreation, tourism, and transportation. The current use of the Pa`auilo Lands as open space
complies with applicable State Functional Plans. Future lands uses may include agricultural uses
and possible farm dwellings.
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State Agriculture Functional Plan
The State Agriculture Functional Plan (prepared by the State Department of Agriculture)
identifies two fundamental objectives to be achieved: (1) continued viability in Hawaii's sugar
and pineapple industries, and (2) continued growth and development of diversified agriculture
throughout the state. The Pa`auilo Lands were taken out of sugar production in 1994 and have
since been fallow. The lands are zoned agricultural and it is desired that the lands be put back
into agricultural productivity after the sale.
6.1.4 Section 205A,Hawaii Revised Statutes—Coastal Zone Management Program
The Coastal Zone Management Area as defined in Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised Statutes
(HRS), includes all the lands of the state. The objectives of the Hawaii Coastal Zone
Management(CZM) Program, as set forth in Chapter 205A, include the protection and maintenance
of the State's coastal resources. As the Coastal Zone is defined in Chapter 205A, the Pa`auilo Lands
are within the Coastal Zone Management Area; however, the lands are located approximately 2.3
miles from the shoreline, at a minimum elevation of approximately 1,400 feet amsl. The following
paragraphs discuss the project's relationship to the objectives and policies of the Coastal Zone
Management Program.
The proposed project site is approximately 2.3 miles from the shore and is not expected to have any
adverse impacts on Coastal Recreational Resources, Coastal Ecosystems, or Beach Protection. For
the same reason,the site will not be subject to potential impacts from Coastal Hazards.
The proposed sale of the lands will not adversely impact the area's Historic Resources. Hann &
Associates (2006) conducted an archaeological inventory survey of the project area. The survey
documented two Historic-Period sites. The sites were fully documented during the inventory
survey and no mitigation is necessary for them. No prehistoric archaeological resources were
identified during the survey.
The proposed action will not significantly affect the Scenic and Open Space quality of the
project area. The Pa`auilo Lands are currently uncultivated open space. After the sale, the lands
are expected to return to agricultural use, and some farm dwellings or farm structures may be
built on them.
Sale of the Pa`auilo Lands is expected to have a beneficial effect on Economic Use. The
Pa'auilo area has long been an agricultural community. The sale will make it possible to put the
lands back into agricultural use after having been fallow for more than a decade. The land sale
will provide opportunities for residents who wish to be in agriculture to obtain land for that
purpose and enable the production of valuable agricultural commodities.
Regarding the CZM's goals to promote Public Participation, this EA reports and publishes the
potential short- and long-term impacts of the proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands. Prior to, and
throughout the development of this EA, various agencies (or agency documents) were consulted
(see consultation list in Section 9.0). The Draft EA was distributed to various agencies and
submitted to the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC), which commenced a 30-day
public review period. Additionally, the public review phase of the Draft EA allowed for public
comments on the subject project and several members of the Pa`auilo community were
interviewed for the Cultural Resources section.
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Managing Development is appropriately the role of those State and County agencies assigned
the responsibility of implementing the provisions of Chapter 205A, HRS, and the Coastal Zone
Management Program.
Based on the above,the proposed project complies with the policies and objectives of the Coastal
Zone Management Program, as delineated within Chapter 205A-2, HRS, and Section 9-6 of the
Hawaii County Planning Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure.
Chapter 205A also provides for a Special Management Area (SMA), an area extending inland
from the shoreline, and seaward as well, that receives special protection. The Counties determine
the extents of the Special Management Areas within their jurisdictions and must approve and
issue a permit for any development within the SMA. The Pa`auilo Lands are located outside the
SMA, and no permit will be required.
6.2 COUNTY OF HAWAII
County-specific land use plans and ordinances pertaining to the Pa`auilo Lands include the
County of Hawaii General Plan and the Hawaii County Code. The following subsections
present relevant elements of these land use plans and ordinances, accompanied with a description
of how each will be addressed during the course of the proposed project.
6.2.1 General Plan
The County of Hawaii General Plan (General Plan) was adopted in February 2005 and is a
policy document for the long-range comprehensive development of the Island of Hawai'i. The
plan provides direction for the future growth of the County and offers policy statements that
embody the expressed goals for present and future generations. The General Plan provides the
legal basis for all subdivision, zoning, and related ordinances and for the initiation and
authorization of all public improvements and projects.
Specific goals and policies applicable to the proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands are discussed
below.
Natural Beauty
Goals:
(a) Maximize opportunities for present and future generations to appreciate and enjoy
natural and scenic beauty.
(b) Protect scenic vistas and view planes from becoming obstructed.
Discussion: The Pa`auilo Lands offer views of Mauna Kea, the coastline, and ocean. As
previously discussed in Section 4.5, the sale and subsequent use of the lands (assumed to be
agricultural)is expected to preserve scenic places and vistas in the area.
Environmental Quality
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Goals
(b) Maintain and, if feasible, improve the existing environmental quality of the island.
Policies
(a) Take positive action to further maintain the quality of the environment.
Discussion: Sale of the Pa`auilo Lands will maintain, and not negatively impact the
environment. The sale itself involves no construction or development. The lands are expected to
retain their current Agriculture zoning after the sale, and no significant environmental impacts
are expected.
Natural Resources
Goals
(a) Protect and conserve the natural resources from undue exploitation, encroachment and
damage.
(c) Protect and promote the prudent use of Hawaii's unique, fragile, and significant
environmental and natural resources.
Policies
(g) Promote sound management and development of Hawaii's land and marine resources for
potential economic benefit.
Discussion: Among the natural resources of Hawaii are its soil, water, and air. The Pa`auilo
Lands are in the state land use Agricultural District, are zoned by the County for Agriculture, and
contain land rated as Prime Agricultural Lands. The sale of the lands itself will not negatively
impact these natural resources. Sale and subsequent use of the Lands of is expected to maintain
low population densities and put the land in agricultural use. Negative impacts to air and water
quality and to soils are not expected.
Economic
Goals
(a) Provide residents with opportunities to improve their quality of life through economic
development that enhances the County's natural and social environments.
(b) Economic development and improvement shall be in balance with the physical, social,
and cultural environments of the island of Hawaii.
(d) Provide an economic environment that allows new, expanded, or improved economic
opportunities that are compatible with the County's cultural, natural and social
environment.
Policies
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(a) Assist in the expansion of the agricultural industry through the protection of important
agricultural lands, development of marketing plans and programs, capital improvements
and continued cooperation with appropriate State and Federal agencies.
Discussion: The Pa`auilo area has long been an agricultural community. Sale of the Pa`auilo
Lands will make it possible to put the lands back into agricultural use after having been fallow
for more than a decade. It will provide an opportunity for residents who wish to be in agriculture
to obtain land for that purpose. Putting the lands back into agriculture is consistent with the
physical, social, and cultural environment of Hawaii. More than half of the acreage comprising
the Pa`auilo Lands is classified as Prime Agricultural Land. Sale of this important agricultural
land will help keep it in agriculture.
Land Use—Agriculture
Goals
(a) Identify,protect and maintain important agriculture lands on the island of Hawai`i.
Policies
(j) Ensure that development of important agricultural land be primarily for agricultural use.
Discussion: The Pa`auilo Lands are former sugar cane land that has lain fallow since 1994. It is
expected that after their sale, the Lands will remain in agriculture.
On the county's Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG)map, found in the Hawaii County
General Plan (Hawaii County 2005), the Pa`auilo Lands are designated Extensive Agriculture.
Lands with this designation are "Lands not classified as Important Agricultural Land. Includes
lands that are not capable of producing sustained, high agricultural yields without the intensive
application of modern farming methods and technologies due to certain physical constraints such
as soil composition, slope, machine tillability and climate. Other less intensive agricultural uses
such as grazing and pasture may be included in the Extensive Agriculture category."Because the
Lands are expected to remain in Agriculture after their sale, the proposed sale of the Lands is
consistent with the Extensive Agriculture designation.
6.2.2 Hawaii County Zoning
Most of the Pa`auilo Lands (641 acres) are zoned A-40a by the County of Hawaii, and a portion
(92.5 acres) of the southwest corner of TMK 4-3-11:02 is zoned A-5a (Figure 2). Section 25-4-
11 of the Hawaii County Code states that the purpose of the Agricultural district is to provide
for agriculture and very low density agriculturally-based residential use, encompassing rural
areas of good to marginal agricultural and grazing land, forest land, game habitats, and areas
where urbanization is not found to be appropriate. Being that the lands are expected to be put to
agricultural use by the future purchasers of the property, the proposed sale of the Pa`auilo Lands
is consistent with the current zoning.
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7.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTION
7.1 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Under Section 11-200-10(6), HAR, Environmental Impact Statement Rules, the alternatives to
the proposed action considered are limited to those that would allow the objectives of the project
to be met, while minimizing potential adverse environmental impacts. The feasible alternatives
must also address the project's economic characteristics while responding to the surrounding land
uses that will be impacted by the project. In conformance with applicable regulations, the
following alternatives, including alternative sites and uses of the property, have been identified
and investigated.
7.2 NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Under the no-action alternative the County would retain ownership of the Pa`auilo Lands. The
County would continue to pay expenses associated with owning the lands and not realize the
benefits of selling the lands. In addition, the lands would not pass to new owners and would not
be put to their best use. Thus, the no-action alternative has been rejected from further
consideration.
7.3 THE ALTERNATIVE OF EXECUTING A LAND EXCHANGE
Over the last few years, the County has explored land exchange options with large landowners in
the vicinity. None of the parties involved could come to a mutually agreeable decision, therefore,
this alternative is not provided a viable option at this time.
7.4 THE ALTERNATIVE OF LEASING THE LANDS
The County explored the option of leasing the land to individuals or businesses that would put
the land to productive use. Under the leasing alternative, the County would bear the costs
associated with owning the land and administering the leases and forego the immediate larger
financial benefits of selling the lands.
The larger revenue from the sales and increase in real property tax revenue not currently being
collected on the subject lands would provide the County of Hawaii greater flexibility in
allocating additional funding for the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource
Preservation Fund for the purposes of acquiring lands targeted for acquisition by the Public
Access, Open Space and Natural Resource Preservation Commission.
For the foregoing reasons, the sales alternative is viewed as preferred to the leasing alternative.
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7.5 ACTIONS OF A SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT NATURE WHICH WOULD
PROVIDE SIMILAR BENEFITS WITH DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
There are no known actions significantly different than the proposed sale of the lands that would
free the County from paying the expenses associated with owning and administering the lands.
Neither are there any known actions that would bring to the County the immediate financial
benefits of selling the lands.
7.6 THE ALTERNATIVE OF POSTPONING ACTION PENDING FURTHER STUDY
The County has evaluated the Pa`auilo Lands in the context of its short-term and long-term plans
and goals and has determined that owning the lands does not further those plans and goals. The
County believes that it has evaluated all reasonable alternatives.
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8.0 DETERMINATION, FINDINGS, AND REASONS FOR
SUPPORTING DETERMINATION
This EA has evaluated the potential primary, secondary, and cumulative environmental impacts,
both short-term and long-term, that could result from the sale of the Pa`auilo Lands. Mitigation
measures have also been proposed to address potential impacts resulting from the project. Based
on an assessment of existing research, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been
issued.
8.1 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT(FONSI)DETERMINATION
Based on the significance criteria established by the Hawaii Administrative Rules and the
assessment of potential environmental impacts, a FONSI has been issued by the County of
Hawaii, Department of Finance(the Accepting Authority),pursuant to Chapter 343,HRS.
8.2 SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA
According to the Significance Criteria contained in Section 11-200-12, HAR, an applicant or
agency must determine whether an action may have a significant impact on the environment,
including all phases of the project, its expected consequences both primary and secondary, its
cumulative impact with other projects and its short-term and long-term effects. The HAR
establish "significance criteria" to determine whether significant environmental impact will
occur as a result of a proposed action. An action shall be determined to have a significant impact
on the environment if it meets any one of the following criteria:
(1) Involves an irrevocable commitment to loss or destruction of any natural or
cultural resources
Neither the sale of the Pa`auilo Lands nor its subsequent use is expected to negatively
impact natural resources in the lands or in the vicinity. While the lands are expected to
remain in agriculture, the exact use and any associated impacts are unknown at this time.
Purchasers of the Lands would have to comply with County, State, and federal
regulations with regard to the protection of natural resources.
An archaeological inventory survey has been conducted for the project area and has been
coordinated with the SHPD (Haun and Henry 2006). The survey documented two
Historic-Period sites within the project area. The sites were fully documented during the
inventory survey and no mitigation is necessary. No prehistoric archaeological resources
were identified during the survey. Section 4.1 discusses the inventory survey in more
detail.
No plant species listed or proposed as threatened or endangered were identified within
the project area. Faunal survey recorded the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat and the
endangered Hawaiian Hawk within the project area. The faunal survey report concluded
that the proposed sale and subsequent use of the Pa`auilo Lands was not expected to have
any significant adverse impact on these species.
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(2) Curtails the range of beneficial uses of the environment
The Pa`auilo Lands are currently undeveloped and unused. The proposed sale will be a
beneficial use for Hawaii County residents: By selling the lands, the County will free
itself from ongoing expenses associated with owning the lands and will benefit from the
proceeds of the sale. Currently the lands are zoned A-40a and A-5a. By lying fallow
under county ownership, the lands are not meeting its agricultural potential or benefiting
the County and the taxpayers. The sale is expected to put the lands back into productive
agricultural use.
(3) Conflicts with the State's long-term environmental policies or goals and
guidelines as expressed in Chapter 344, HRS; and any revisions thereof and
amendments thereto,court decisions,or executive orders
The proposed sale is consistent with the environmental policies, goals, and guidelines
established in Chapter 344, HRS. This EA has addressed such issues as natural resources
conservation, soils, drainage, visual environment, flora and fauna, open space, air and
water quality, wastewater, and energy.
(4) Substantially affects the economic welfare,social welfare,or cultural practices of
the community or state
This EA has addressed questions of population, housing, educational facilities, economic
development, quality of life, noise, and transportation. The proposed sale of the Pa`auilo
Lands will positively affect the economic and social welfare of the Hamakua community
by placing the lands in the hands of owners who are likely to put the lands back into
productive agricultural use. Agriculture has long been the economic mainstay in the
Pa`auilo area and a strong cultural influence.
(5) Substantially affects public health
The sale and potential use of the Pa`auilo Lands will not substantially affect public health
in the area or island wide. The lands are expected to retain their current zoning after the
sale. Utilizing the "worst case" calculation of farm dwellings (32), approximately 96
persons could potentially be added to the current population of Pa`auilo. This represents
an approximately 16.8 percent increase to the population of Pa`auilo, and represents a
much smaller percentage of the population served by the nearest healthcare facilities, in
Honoka`a and Waimea.
(6) Involves substantial secondary impacts, such as population changes or effects on
public facilities
Based on the "worst case" scenario calculation of farm dwellings (32) discussed earlier,
the demand for energy and water, as well as the generation solid waste and wastewater,
will not increase significantly, either regionally or island wide.
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(7) Involves a substantial degradation of environmental quality
The sale of the Pa`auilo Lands itself does not entail development or construction of any
kind and will not degrade environmental quality. After the sale, it is expected that zoning
of the lands will remain the same and that the lands will be likely be used for agricultural
purposes. Potential impacts to the environment resulting from the sale and from use and
potential occupation of the lands, and appropriate mitigation measures, have been
identified in this EA.
(8) Is individually limited but, cumulatively, has considerable effect on the
environment,or involves a commitment for larger actions
Because the sale of the Pa`auilo Lands does not entail development of any kind, and the
land will remain in its existing condition as open space, it will not affect the environment
or involve a commitment for larger actions. Subsequent use of the lands is not expected
to result in cumulative effects on the environment or involve a commitment for larger
actions as the"worst case" calculation of farm dwellings allowed is 32.
(9) Substantially affects a rare,threatened,or endangered species or its habitat
The endangered Hawaiian hoary bat and the Hawaiian Hawk were recorded within the
project area during faunal survey. Because these species are common in the Hamakua
region, and their habitat abundant,the sale of the Pa`auilo Lands and their subsequent use
are not expected to result in adverse impacts to them.
(10) Detrimentally affects air or water quality or ambient noise levels
The sale of the lands will not significantly affect noise and air quality levels. During the
period preceding the sale, traffic and associated noise and pollution levels will increase
slightly as potential buyers examine the properties. After the sale, although traffic on area
roads is expected to increase somewhat as they will be used by the purchasers of the
property, substantial detrimental impacts to air quality are not expected, as any air
pollutants would be rapidly dispersed by the prevailing winds. Periodic vehicular traffic
associated with use of the lands may periodically contribute to ambient noise levels in the
immediate vicinity of area roads.
(11) Affects or is likely to suffer damage by being located in an environmentally
sensitive area, such as a flood plain, tsunami zone, beach, erosion-prone area,
geologically hazardous land,estuary,freshwater,or coastal waters
The Pa`auilo Lands are not located in an environmentally sensitive area, such as a flood
plain, tsunami zone, beach, erosion-prone area, geologically hazardous land, estuary,
fresh water, or coastal waters; as such, the sale and subsequent use of the lands would
have no adverse impacts upon such areas, and the lands and any improvements to them
would not be likely to suffer damage from hazards associated with such areas.
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(12) Substantially affects scenic vistas and view planes identified in county or state
plans or studies
The project vicinity includes a diverse range of scenic vistas and open expanses that
typify the upper Hamakua coast. The Pa`auilo Lands are located at higher elevations and
offer views of the coastline. Existing views of the coastline from within the lands would
be unaffected by the land sale.
In lands zoned for agriculture, any agricultural and residential structures built after the
sale would be limited by zoning to 45 and 35 feet, respectively and are not expected to
significantly affect views of the coast or to degrade views of the slopes of Mauna Kea
from makai areas.
(13) Requires substantial energy consumption.
The proposed sale will not directly introduce new residents to the project area, and will
not substantially increase energy consumption. After their sale, the lands are expected to
be put to agricultural use, with the possibility that farm dwellings may be constructed.
Because no utility upgrades are planned, purchasers constructing dwellings or
undertaking agricultural uses that require electric power will need to explore off-the-grid
alternatives such as generators and photovoltaic devices.
56
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
9.0 CONSULTED PARTIES AND PARTICIPANTS
9.1 PRE-ASSESSMENT CONSULTATION PERIOD
Pre-consultation letters, along with a location map, were distributed to the agencies and
organizations listed in the following table. Agency comment letters and appropriate responses for
the Pre-Assessment Consultation Period are included in Appendix D.
AGENCY Letter Date of
Date Comments
County
1 Department of Environmental Management 6-16-06 6-23-06
2 Planning Department 6-16-06 7-12-06
3 Department of Public Works 6-16-06 None Received
4 Department of Research and Development 6-16-06 7-14-06
5 Department of Water Supply 6-16-06 7-11-06
6 Fire Department 6-16-06 7-07-06
7 Hawaii County Council 6-16-06 None Received
8 Police Department 6-16-06 7-06-06
9 Office of the Mayor None Received
State
10 Department of Business,Economic Development and Tourism(DBEDT) 6-16-06 None Received
1 1 DBEDT Land Use Commission 6-16-06 7-07-06
12 DBEDT Office of Planning 6-16-06 None Received
13 DBEDT Strategic Industries Division 6-16-06 None Received
14 Department of Health—Environmental Planning Office 6-16-06 None Received
15 Department of Land and Natural Resources(DLNR) 6-16-06 None Received
16 DLNR State Historic Preservation Division 6-16-06 None Received
17 Office of Environmental Quality Control 6-16-06 None Received
18 Office of Hawaiian Affairs 6-16-06 None Received
19 U.H.Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources 6-16-06 7-07-06
Other Organizations
20 Kamehameha Schools—Land Assets Division 6-16-06 None Received
21 Forest Solutions,Inc. 6-16-06 None Received
57
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
9.2 DRAFT EA PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD
The Draft EA was published in the August 23, 2006 issue of the OEQC's The Environmental
Notice, commencing a 30-day public review period which ended on September 22, 2006. Copies
of the Draft EA were distributed to the agencies and organizations listed in the following table.
Additionally, a copy of the Draft EA was provided during the public review period at the
Honoka`a Public Library. All written agency comment letters and appropriate responses are
included in Appendix E
AGENCY Letter Date of
Date Comments
County
1 Department of Environmental Management 8-18-06 8-28-06
2 Planning Department 8-18-06 10-02-06
3 Department of Parks and Recreation 8-18-06 None Received
4 Department of Public Works 8-18-06 None Received
5 Department of Research and Development 8-18-06 None Received
6 Department of Water Supply 8-18-06 9-18-06
7 Fire Department 8-18-06 8-31-06
8 Hawaii County Council 8-18-06 None Received
9 Police Department 8-18-06 9-08-06
10 Office of the Mayor None Received
State
11 Department of Business,Economic Development and Tourism(DBEDT) 8-18-06 None Received
12 DBEDT Land Use Commission 8-18-06 9-11-06
13 DBEDT Office of Planning 8-18-06 None Received
15 Department of Health—Environmental Planning Office 8-18-06 None Received
16 Department of Land and Natural Resources(DLNR) 8-18-06 None Received
17 DLNR State Historic Preservation Division 8-18-06 None Received
18 Office of Environmental Quality Control 8-18-06 None Received
19 Office of Hawaiian Affairs 8-18-06 9-26-06
20 Office of Hawaiian Affairs—Community Resource Coordinator 8-18-06 None Received
21 U.H.Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources 8-18-06 None Received
Other Organizations
22 Kamehameha Schools—Land Assets Division 8-18-06 None Received
23 Forest Solutions,Inc. 8-18-06 None Received
24 Big Island Farm Bureau 8-18-06 None Received
25 Mauka-Makai Access Committee for the Hamakua Agricultural Plan 8-28-06 9-15-06
58
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Other agencies (or agency documents) consulted in the preparation of this EA are listed below.
State of Hawaii
University of Hawaii,Land Study Bureau
Federal
Department of Agriculture—Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Fish&Wildlife Service—Pacific Islands Office
U.S. Geological Survey
Individuals or Organizations
Various members of the Mauka and Makai Access Committee of the Hamakua
Agricultural Plan
59
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
(This page intentionally left blank.)
60
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
10.0 REFERENCES
Baker, H.L. et al. (1965) Detailed Land Classification, Island of Hawaii. L.S. Land Study
Bureau, University of Hawaii. Honolulu,Hawaii.
CAB (State of Hawai`i,Department of Health, Clean Air Branch. (2004). 2004 Annual Summary
Hawaii Air Quality Data. Honolulu.
David,R.E. (2006).A Survey of Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian Species on TMK 4-3-07: 01;
4-3-9:19 & 24; and 4-3-11:01 and 02, Hdmdkua District, Island of Hawaii. Rana Productions,
Ltd., Kailua-Kona. Prepared for Geometrician Associates.
DLNR(State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources). Available at
htip://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/CHRules/bigislandch fs.pdf.
Geometrician Associates. (2006)Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice East
Hawai`i Waste Reduction Technology Facility, Waiakea, South Hilo District, Island of Hawaii,
State of Hawai`i, TMK(3rd) 2-1-013: various. Prepared for Hawai`i County Department of
Environmental Management.
Harding ESE. (2002) Update to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan for the County of
Hawaii. Available at: http://www.hawaii-county.com/env mn /ig swmp final update.htm(July
2005). Aiea, Hawai`i. Prepared for the County of Hawai`i.
Hann, A.E., and Dave Henry. (2006). Archaeological Inventory Survey County of Hawaii
Pa`auilo Lands; Lands of Kamoauau, Manienie, Opihilala, Hauola, Pa`auilo, and A`amanu;
Hamakua District, Island of Hawaii (TMK[3] 4-3-007:001; 4-3-009:019, 024; 4-3-011:001, 002).
Haun&Associates,Kea-au.Prepared for PBR Hawaii.
Hawai`i, County of. 2004 County of Hawaii Data Book. Available at: http://www.hawaii-
county.com/databook current/dbooktoc.htm(2004).
Hawaii, County of. Department of Environmental Management. (2004).Final EIS, Construction
and Operation of'East Hawai'i Regional Sort Station. Hilo.
Hawaii, County of. (2005) County of Hawaii General Plan.
Hawaii, County of. Police Department. Available at: http://www.hawaiil2o]ice.com/index.htmi
(July 2005).
Hawaii, State of. Department of Agriculture. (1977) Agricultural Lands of Importance to the
State of'Hawaii. Honolulu, Hawaii.
Hawaii, State of. Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism. Census
and Population. Available at:
htip://www3.hawaii.lzov/DBEDT/index.cfm?section=READ Census449 (August 2005).
61
PA`AUILO LANDS
FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Hawaii,State of.Department of Land and Natural Resources,Commission on Water Resources
Management.Available at http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/cwrm/data/gwhawaii.pdf
NHCH (North Hawaii Community Hospital) (2006). Website available at
ht!V://www.northhawailcommuni!yhosl)ital.oriz/index.html.
Terry, R., L. Yoshida, and G.P. Knopp. (2006). Botanical Survey County Lauds at Pa`auilo.
Geometrician Associates, Kea`au. Prepared for PBR Hawaii, Hilo.
United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service. (1973) Soil Survey of'Island
of Hawaii, State of Hawaii. Available at:
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/soilsurvey/Hawaii/hawaii.htm(April 2006).
United States Geological Survey. (1992)Miscellaneous Field Studies.Map Showing Lava-Flow
Hazard Zones, Island of Hawaii.
Western Regional Climate Center(WRRC). (2006). Historical Climate Information. Available
at: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/CLIMATEDATA.html.
Wolfe, E.W., and J. Morris. (1996). Geological Map of the Island of Hawaii. U.S. Department of
the Interior,U.S. Geological Survey.
S:\Active Jobs-Cu rent\Job 25\255701 PAAUILO EAs\EA\Final EA\FEA-01 0.doc
62
Appendix A
Botanical Survey
Geometrician Associates, LLC
July 2006
Botanical Survey
County Lands at Pa`auilo
By Ron Terry,Ph.D.,Layne Yoshida,B.A., and Graham P. Knopp,Ph.D.
Geometrician Associates,LLC
Prepared for PBR Hawaii
July 2006
Introduction
This report describes the results of a botanical survey of 5 properties totaling about 740 acres in
the Pa`auilo area of the Hamakua District, identified by TMKs 4-3-07: 01; 4-3-9:19 &24; and 4-
3-11:01 and 02. The County of Hawaii plans to dispose of these properties at public auction,
and given the context of the area,they are expected to remain in agricultural zoning and perhaps
undergo farming or grazing. The properties vary in elevation from about 1,400 to 2,520 feet
above sea level. Other than gulches and a few isolated areas,most of the land was cultivated for
many decades in sugar cane. The properties are currently open with no active land uses. The
properties are mapped in detail in the Environmental Assessment to which this report is an
appendix; Figure 1 of this report illustrates their boundaries superimposed on recent IKONOS
imagery of the area in order to illustrate gross vegetation features.
Purpose and Methodologv
The objectives of the botanical survey were to 1)describe the vegetation; 2)list all species
encountered; and 3) identify threatened or endangered plant species. The area was surveyed on
foot by botanist Layne Yoshida,with assistance from Graham Knopp and Ron Terry, in June
2006.
The landscape has been heavily modified by decades of sugar cane cultivation that left much of
the properties uniformly alien in vegetation. During the survey, areas of secondary alien
vegetation were assessed by walking transects through representative sections. Small areas of
semi-natural vegetation were carefully walked, and near-100 percent survey was obtained there.
Species were identified in the field and, as necessary, collected and keyed out in the laboratory.
Special attention was given to the possible presence of any federally(USFWS 2000) listed
endangered plant or animal species.
Vegetational Influences
The geologic substrate in this area is weathered Mauna Kea ash dating from 4,000 to 14,000
years BP (Wolfe and Morris 1996). The original vegetation of the general area was lowland
rainforest,per Gagne and Cuddihy(1990), consisting of a closed canopy forest of`ohi`a
(Metrosideros polymorpha),koa(Acacia koa), and a diverse array of canopy and understory
trees, shrubs,herbs,vines and ferns,including kolea, (Myrsine lessertiana)hapu'u(Cibotium
sp.) and uluhe(Dicranopteris linearis). These resources, along with the birds they supported,
were harvested during traditional times by native Hawaiians,whose settlements and farms were
mostly restricted to within 1.3 miles of the coast in Hamakua(Cordy 2000:44). No major
disturbance of the area's vegetation likely occurred until the advent of sugar cane cultivation in
the late 19`,century, after which a century of clearing, application of fertilizers and pesticides,
soil erosion, irrigation, and introduction of alien organisms utterly transformed the landscape.
Even within protected gulches, the joint effects of all these forces has left only a little natural
vegetation intact. As sugar cane declined,the old caneficlds have been left fallow or grazed by
cattle. Weeds predominate but in certain areas a secondary forest with some native elements has
begun to emerge.
Current Vegetation
The property contains several vegetation types but is dominated by basically alien assemblages
that vary according to slope and local disturbance history. They are subject to substantial change
through time in a process similar to natural succession, as grasses give way to shrubs, and shrubs
to trees. Factors both natural and human-disturbance related(e.g.,periodic grazing) often
restrict the development of these assemblages.
The two most basic vegetation types are areas that lie between gulches and have a regular,
moderate slope—the type that takes up most of the property—and areas with gulches or steep
hills,which occupy perhaps a tenth of the area(see Fig. 1).
The former type is vegetated in the secondary grassland most often associated with abandoned
sugar cane fields. It is dominated by guinea grass (Panicum maximum), interspersed with the
alien trees ironwood(Casuarina sp.)and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.). interestingly,the native
tree dominant in the natural vegetation,koa(Acacia koa), is also fairly common in places,
especially at higher elevations. An area of about 40 acres below the UH research station has
particularly vigorous growth(see Fig. 1). The guinea grass grows as high as seven feet and may
form almost impenetrable stands. Where there are water run-off channels or slopes with exposed
soil, ferns predominate, including alien and indigenous sword ferns(Nephrolepis spp.) and the
alien golden fern (Pitvrogramma austroamericana). Along the many unpaved roads are weedy
species such as Florida beggarweed(Desmodium tortuosum) and hyptis (Hyptis pectinata). The
gulches have steep sides and are often dominated by coffee(Coffea arabica), strawberry guava
(Psidium cattleianum) and kukui(Aleurites moluccana).
As discussed above,koa readily grows on the open grassland in places, but other natives, such as
the trees `ohi`a,kolea, and kopiko (Psychotria hawaiensis), and the tree ferns hapu`u(Cihotium
glaucum)and ama`u(Sadleria cyatheoides), are restricted to the steeper gulches and hills. They
are mainly found within several of the gulches or around pu `u(cinder hills), some of which
were formerly quarries (see Fig. 1 for location). The best native vegetation is found in an
unquarried hilly feature near the top elevations of the property that contains thick, clayey soil,
perhaps derived from cinder. This area,which may represent original forest spared from
clearing because of its steep slopes, contains a number of native trees including the relatively
uncommon hame
Botanical Survey, Pa`auilo County Lands Page 2
(Antidesma plathyphylum). One of the quarries contains many`ohi`a seedlings up to seven feet
tall, indicating active recruitment of this keystone plant species.
Flora
A full list of plant species found on the site is contained in the table in Appendix 1,below. As
described above,the majority(85%) of species are alien, and most of the native plants found on
the site are relatively common, especially the ferns, grasses and herbs. Notwithstanding,there
are a number of native trees of interest such as kolea,kopiko,Name, and koaia(Acacia koaia).
Koai`a was noted at the edge of one of the subject properties,near an adjacent home(see Fig. 1).
These koaia were probably planted, as they were growing alongside similarly sized(and
probably aged) ornamental flowering cherries,parallel to an existing road.
A few grasses (one a bamboo)and a member of the leguminous family were not able to be
identified. These species are almost certainly alien.
Threatened and Endangered or Rare Species
No plant species listed or proposed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service or the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources were found.' Koai`a is
considered rare,but its presence here is probably a result of planting, and probably does not
indicate a natural occurrence necessitating special conservation measures.
Impacts and Mitigation Measures
In general,the proposed sale and subsequent use of the Pa`auilo County lands is not expected to
have any substantial adverse impact on the botanical resources or vegetation, as the property is
overwhelmingly dominated by alien species. With the exception of koaia(probably planted),
all of the native plants which are found on the site can also be found in similar wet lowland
environments in East Hawaii and on most of the main Hawaiian Islands.
The concentration of native species around the hill feature identified on Figure 1 is an area that
the County may wish to consider recommending for preservation by the purchaser. The fact that
slopes there are steep likely prevented sugar cane plantations from using the area. This indicates
that even now,mechanized land clearing and agricultural uses may be difficult. It is likely that
many purchasers would consider this small concentration of semi-intact native forest an asset of
the property that would not affect economic uses in other areas.
1 Koai'a is considered by many authors to be a legitimate species,called Acacia koaia. The Manual of the
Flowering Plants of Hawaii(Wagner and Herbst 1990)classified it as a form of Acacia koa but recognized the need
for more research. Acacia koaia was at one time listed by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service as a candidate
endangered species,a status which required its consideration in federal projects but did not confer wider protection.
When the system of classifying threatened and endangered species was revised in 1996,candidate species lost
official recognition on the list of threatened and endangered species. Many,such as koaia,became Species of
Concern,a term that indicates that the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service is closely monitoring their status. The State of
Hawaii,Division of Forestry and Wildlife also considers koaia a Species of Concern.
Botanical Survey, Pa`auilo County Lands Page 3
The proposed sale and subsequent use poses little potential for secondary or cumulative impacts
to botanical resources, as nearly all vegetation is alien and thus has low conservation value. The
cumulative loss of some of the common native plants found on the property that might occur
when considering this project in addition to other past, present and foreseeable future actions in
Hamakua is small. This loss would detract only negligibly from the population of these species
and would not affect the general health or makeup of lowland areas in forest areas on the
Hamakua coast with intact ecosystems (mostly found further south and mauka in North and
South Hilo). There would thus be little or no potential for adverse effects to accumulate with
others.
Literature Cited
Cordy,R. 2000. Exalted Sites the Chief.- The Ancient History of Hawai`i Island. Honolulu:
Mutual Publishing.
Gagne,W., and L. Cuddihy. 1990. "Vegetation,"pp. 45-114 in W.L. Wagner, D.R. Herbst, and
S.H. Sohmcr, cds.,Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai`i.2 vols. Honolulu:
University of Hawaii Press.
Neal,M.C. 1965.In Gardens ofHawaii. B.P. Bishop Museum Special Publication 50.
Honolulu: Bishop Museum.
U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS). 2000. Threatened and endangered plants in Hawai'i.
Washington: GPO.
Wolfe, E.W., and J. Morris. 1996. Geologic Map of the Island of Hawai'i. USGS Misc
Tnvestigations Series Map i-2524-A. Washington,D.C.: U.S. Geological Survey.
Botanical Survey, Pa`auilo County Lands Page 4
Appendix I
Plant Species Identified on the Pa`auilo County Lands
Scientific Name Family Common Name LifeForm Status*
Abutilon picturn Malvaceae Bell Hibiscus Shrub A
Acacia koa Fabaceae Koa Tree I
Acacia koaia Fabaceae Koaia Shrub I
Acacia meamsii Fabaceae Black Wattle Shrub A
Adiantum hispidulum Pteridaceae Five-fingered maidenhair Fern A
Adiantum raddianum Pteridaceae Maidenhair Fern A
Ageratina riparia Asteraceae Pamakani Herb A
Ageratum con zoides Asteraceae Ageratum Herb A
Aleurites molucana Euphorbiaceae Kukui Herb A
Amaranthus s inosus Amaranthaceae Spiny Amaranth Herb A
Antidesma platyphyllum Eu horbiaceae Mehame Tree I
Arundina graminifolia Orchidaceae Bamboo Orchid Herb A
Ascle ias sp. Ascle iadaceae Milkweed Herb A
Asplenium lobulatum Aspleniaceae Analii Fern I
As lenium polyodon As leniaceae As lenium Fern I
Bidens pilosa Asteraceae Beggar's Tick Herb A
Blechnum appendiculatum Blechnaceae Blechnum Fern A
Brachiaria mutica Poaceae California Grass Herb A
Brassica sp. Brassicaceae Mustard Herb A
Buddleia asiatica Buddleiaceae Buddleia Shrub A
Castilleja arvensis Scrophulariaceae Indian Paintbrush Herb A
Casuarina e uisetifolia Casuarinaceae Ironwood Tree A
Casuarina sp. Casuarinaceae Ironwood Tree A
Chamaecrista nictitans Fabaceae Partridge Pea Herb A
Chamaes ce hirta Eu horbiaceae Hairy Sure Herb A
Chamaesyce hypericifolia Euphorbiaceae Graceful Spurge Herb A
Chamaes ce prostrata Eu horbiaceae Spurge Herb A
Chloris sp. Poaceae Chloris Herb A
Christella dentata Thetypteridaccae C closorus Fern A
Cibotium glaucum Dicksoniaceae Ha u'u Pulu Fern I
Cocculus trilobus Menispermaceae Huehue Vine I
Coffea arabica Rubiaceae Coffee Shrub A
Commelina diffusa Commelinaceae Honohono Herb A
Con za bonariensis Asteraceae Horseweed Herb A
Conyza canadensis Asteraceae Horseweed Herb A
Cord line fruticosa Agavaceae Ki Shrub A
Cre is ca illaris Asteraceae Hawk's Beard Herb A
Crotalaria micans Fabaceae Crotalaria Herb A
Crotalaria sp. Fabaceae Crotalaria Herb A
Cuphea carthagenensis Lythyraceae Tarweed Herb A
C cas revoluta C cadaceae C cad Shrub A
Cynodon dactylon Poaceae Bermuda Grass Herb A
Cyperus s . Cyperaceae Sedge Herb A
Desmodium sandwicense Fabaceae Desmodium Herb A
Desmodium tortuosum Fabaceae Beggarweed Vine A
Botanical Survey, Pa`auilo County Lands Page 5
Appendix 1,continued
Scientific Name Family Common Name LifeForm Status*
Desmodium triflorum Fabaceae Desmodium Herb A
Dicranopteris linearis Gleicheniaceae Uluhe Fern I
Di itaria seti era Poaceae Itchy Crabgrass Herb I
Digitaria violascens Poaceae Violet Crabgrass Herb A
Drymaria cordata Caryophyllaceac Pi ili Herb A
Eleusine indica Poaceae Wiregrass Herb A
Era rrostis sp. Poaceae Lovegrass Herb A
Erechtites hieracifolia Asteraceae Fireweed Herb A
Erechtites valerianifolia Asteraceae Fireweed Herb A
E oboti a a onica Rosaceae Lo uat Tree A
Erythrina sp. Fabaceae Erythrina Tree A
Eucalyptus robusta M rtaceae Swamp Mahogany Tree A
Eucalyptus sp. Myrtaceae Eucalyptus Tree A
Eucalyuptus sali na M rtaceae Sydney Blue Gum Tree A
Geraniums . Geraniaceae Cranesbill Herb A
Gnaphaliumjaponicum Asteraceae Gnaphalium Herb A
Gravillea robusta Proteaceae Silver Oak Tree A
Hedychium coronarium Zingiberaceae White Ginger Herb A
Hed chium flavescens Zin iberaceae Yellow Ginger Herb A
Hypochocris radicata Asteraceae Cat's Ear Herb A
Hyptis pectinata Lamiaceae Hyptis Vine A
Indi ofera suffuticosa Fabaceae Indio Shrub A
Ipomoea indica Convolvulaceae Morning Glory Vine I
Jacaranda mimosifolia Bi noniaceae Jacaranda Tree A
Kyllinga brevifolia Cyperaceae Green Kyllinga Herb A
Le isorus thunber rianus Polypodiaceae Pleo eltis Fern I
Leucaena leucocephala Fabaceae Haole Koa Tree A
Linum trigynum Linaceae Linum Herb A
L co odium venustulum L co odiaceae L co odium Fern Ally I
Macadamia integrifolia Proteaceae Macadamia Tree A
Macro Cilium atro ur ureum Fabaceae Phaeseolus Vine A
Malvastrum coromandelianum Malvaceae Malvastrum Herb A
Medica=o sp. Fabaceae Clover Herb A
Melaleuca quinquenervia Myrtaceac Paperbark Tree A
Melia azedarach Meliaceae Chinaberry Tree A
Melinus minutiflora Poaceae Molasses Grass Herb A
Metrosideros polymorpha Myrtaceae Ohia Tree I
Microle is stri osa Dennstaedtiaceae Pala alai Fern I
Mimosa pudica Fabaceae Sleeping Grass Herb A
Morus alba Moraccae Mulberry Shrub A
M rica fa a Myricaceac Fa a Bush Tree A
Myrsine lessertiana Myrsinaceae Kolea Tree I
Ne hrole is exaltata Ne hrole idaceae Sword Fern Fern I
Nephrolepis mutiflora Nephrolepidaceae Sword Fern Fern A
Odontosoria chinensis Dennstaedtiaceae Lace Fern Fern I
Oxalis comiculata Oxalidaceae Wood Sorrel Herb A
Panicum maximum Poaceae Guinea Grass Herb A
Pas alum con u atum Poaceae Hilo Grass Herb A
Botanical Survey, Pa`auilo County Lands Page 6
Appendix 1,continued
Scientific Name Family Common Name LifeForm Status*
Paspalum fimbriatum Poaceae Fimbriate Paspalum Herb A
Paspalum sp. Poaceae Paspalum Herb A
Passilora edulis Passifloraceae Lilikoi Vine A
Passiflora ligularis Passifloraceae Sweet Granadilla Vine A
Pennisetum clandestinum Poaceae Kikuyu Grass Herb A
Pennisetum purpureum Poaceae Napier Grass Herb A
Persea americans Lauraceae Avacado Tree A
Phlebodium aureum Polypodiaceae Golden Polypody Fern A
Physalis peruviana Solanaceae Poha Herb A
Ph tollaca octandra Ph tollacaceae Southern Pokeberry Herb A
Pinus sp. Pinaceae Pine Tree A
Pityrogramma austroamericana Pteridaceae Gold Fern Fern A
Plantago lanceolata Plantaginaceae Plantago Herb A
Plantago major Plants inaceae Common Plantain Herb A
Pluchea s m th tifolia Asteraceae Sourbush Shrub A
Polygala paniculata Polygalaceae Pink Herb A
Prunus serrulata Rosaceae Flowering Cherry Shrub A
Psidium cattleianum Myrtaceae Strawberry Guava Tree A
Psidium guajava M rtaceae Guava Tree A
Psilotum nudum Psilotaceae Moa Fern Allie I
Ps chotria hawaiiensis Rubiaceae Ko iko Ula Tree I
Pteridium a uilinum Hypolepidaceae Bracken Fern Fern I
Pycreus polystachyos Cyperaceae Sedge Herb I
Ra hanus sp. Brassicaceae Radish Herb A
Rhynchelytrum repens Poaceae Natal Grass Herb A
Rh nchos ora caduca Cyperaceae Beak-rush Herb A
Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae Castor Bean Shrub A
Rosa sp. Roasaceae Rose Vine A
Rubus rosifolius Rosaceae Thimbleberry Herb A
Rubus sp. Rosaceae Blackberry Vine A
Saccharum officinarum Poaceae Ko Tree A
Sacciolepis indica Poaceae Glenwood Grass Herb A
Sadleria c atheoides Blechnaceae Amau Fern I
Schefflera actinoph lla Araliaceae Octopus Tree Tree A
Schizachyrium condensatum Poaceae Beardgrass Herb A
Senecio mada ascariensis Asteraceae Senecio Herb A
Senecio mikanioides Asteraceae German Ivy Herb A
Setaria gracilis Poaceae Yellow Foxtail Herb A
Setaria palmifolia Poaceae Palmgrass Herb A
Sida rhombifolia Malvaceae Sida Herb A
Solarium americanum Solanaceae Po polo Herb I
Sonchus oleraceus Asteraceae Pualele Herb A
S ermacoce assur ens Rubiaceae Buttonweed Herb A
Sphenomeris chinensis Lindsaeaceae Palaa Fern I
S orobolus indicus Poaceae Smut Grass Herb A
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis Verbenaceae Jamaican Vervain Shrub A
S zi*ium'ambos M rtaceae Rose Apple Tree A
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Iridaceae Tritonia Herb A
Verbena litoralis Verbenaceae Owi Herb A
A=alien,E=endemic,I=indigenous,End=Federal and State listed Endangered Species
Botanical Survey, Pa`auilo County Lands Page 7
Appendix B
Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian Survey
Rana Productions, Ltd.
July 2006
A Survey of Avian and Terrestrial Mammalian
Species on TMK 4-3-07: 01 ; 4-3-9: 19 & 24; and
4-3-11 :01 and 02, Hamakua District,
Island of Hawaii.
Prepared by:
Reginald E. David
Rana Productions, Ltd.
P.O. Box 1371
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745
Prepared for:
Geometrician Associates, LLC
HC 2, Box 9575
Kea'au Hawaii 96749
July 25,2006
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 1
Table of Contents
Tableoj'Contents..........................................................................................................2
Introduction...................................................................................................................3
General Site and Project Description.........................................................................3
Mammalian Survey Methods........................................................................................4
Mammalian Survey Results..........................................................................................5
AvianSurvey Methods .................................................................................................6
AvianSurvey Results....................................................................................................6
Discussion.....................................................................................................................8
Mammalian Resources......................................................................................8
AvianResources................................................................................................9
Conclusions................................................................................................................ 10
Glossary...................................................................................................................... 11
LiteratureCited.......................................................................................................... 12
Tables
Figure 1 —Typical Vegetation on mauka Portions of the Pa`auilo Property ...........4
Figure 2—Typical Vegetation on Southern makai Pa`auilo Lands ..........................5
Table 1. Avian Species Detected,Pa`uilo Lands Survey...........................................7
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 2
Introduction
The County of Hawaii, Department of Finance is planning on divesting itself of five
parcels of land totaling approximately 740-acres, located mauka of the town of Pa`auilo,
Hamakua District, Hawaii. The properties are identified as, TMKs 4-3-07: 01; 4-3-9:19&
24; and 4-3-11:01 and 02. Given the lands in the context of the area, it is expected that
they will remain in agricultural zoning and perhaps be sold or farming or grazing. The
properties are currently open with no active land uses. The properties are mapped in
detail in the Environmental Assessment to which this report is an appendix. This report
describes the results of avian and mammalian surveys conducted on the parcels.
Fieldwork was conducted between July 6 and 8, 2006.
The primary purpose of the survey was to determine if there were any avian or
mammalian species currently listed as endangered, threatened, or proposed for listing
under either the federal or the State of Hawai`i's endangered species programs on, or
within the immediate vicinity of any of the five parcels of land. Federal and State of
Hawaii listed species status follows species identified in the following referenced
documents (Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) 1998, Federal Register
1999, 2005).
Avian phylogenetic order and nomenclature follows The American Ornithologists' Union
Check-list of North American Birds 7th Edition (American Ornithologists' Union 1998),
and the 42'd through the 47th supplements to Check-list of North American Birds
(American Ornithologists' Union 2000; Banks et al. 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005). Mammal
scientific names follow Mammals in Hawaii (Tomich 1986). Plant names follow Manual
of'the Flowering Plants of'Hawai`i (Wagner et al. 1990, 1999). Place names follow
Place Names of Hawaii(Pukui et al. 1976).
Hawaiian and scientific names arc italicized in the text. A glossary of technical terms and
acronyms used in the document, which may be unfamiliar to the reader, are included at
the end of the narrative text on page 11.
General Site Description
The lands slope from west to east, from a maximum elevation of approximately 2700-feet
above sea level, down to approximately 1,400-feet above sea level. The lands are
transected by Opihilala, Waipunalau, Pa`auilo, and `A`amanu Gulches. The geologic
substrate present in the area is weathered Mauna Kea ash disgorged from Mauna Kea
between 65,000 and 250,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Age, portions of these
deposits are covered by newer material deposited between 4,000 and 7,000-years ago
during the early Holocene Age(Wolfe and Morris 1996).
The bulk of the lands were intensively farmed for sugar cane since the late 19th century.
As with most of the former sugar cane lands in the Hamakua District these lands have
lain fallow or been used for cattle pasturage since the decline and finally cessation of
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 3
sugar cultivation in the 1990's. The vegetation on the bulk of the property is dominated
by alien species typical of former sugar cane lands in the Hamakua District(Figure 1). Tn
some of the higher areas a secondary forest containing some native components has
begun to emerge on portions of the abandoned sugar cane fields. The bulk of the site is
covered with extremely dense grass, much of which is over six foot tall, making transit
through the area difficult(Figure 2).
•..r
� M
l'
Figure 1 —Typical Vegetation on mauka Portions of the Pa`auilo Property
Mammalian Survey Methods
With the exception of the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat(Lasiurus cinereus semotus), or
`ope`ape`a as it is known locally, all terrestrial mammals currently found on the Island of
Hawaii are alien species. Most are ubiquitous. The survey of mammals was limited to
visual and auditory detection, coupled with visual observation of scat, tracks, and other
animal sign. A running tally was kept of all vertebrate species observed and heard within
the project area. Visual and electronic scans,using a Broadband AnaBat ITS'ultrasonic bat
detector, were made for bats during crepuscular periods on the evenings of July 6, and 7,
2006.
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 4
�I
1 M ,
AWN,
f
S
FAIN.Al
Figure 2—Typical Vegetation on Southern makai Pa`auilo Lands
Mammalian Survey Results
A total of nine mammalian species were detected during the course of this survey.
Hawaiian hoary bats were seen on both nights that we searched for them. On July 6, 2006
I saw individual bats flying above Opihilala Gulch, no more than one animal was seen at
a tune, though I had six separate sightings that evening, whether those sightings represent
one bat or more than one is not known. On the evening of July 7, 2006 1 recorded one bat
flying over an area just south of Waipunalau Gulch. One unidentified rat(Rattus sp.) was
seen along the unpaved section of Maniene Road. Several European house mice (Mus
donnesticus) were seen in various locations within the study area. Several dogs (Canis f-
fa(niliaris) were seen on the site, as were five small Indian mongooses (Herpestes a.
auropunctatus). Two cats(Fells catus)were seen close to roadways within the site. Horse
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 5
(Equus c. cahallus), pig (Sus s. scrofa), and cattle (Bos Taurus) were seen in several
locations on the property. Tracks, scat and sign of dog, mongoose, cat, horse, pig and
cattle were seen at numerous locations within the site.
Avian Survey Methods
Twenty avian count stations were sited along four linear transects running from mauka to
makai across the properties. Count stations were placed at approximately 300-meter
intervals equally spaced along these transects. Six-minute point counts were made at each
of the 20-count stations. Each station was counted once. Field observations were made
with the aid of Leitz 10 X 42 binoculars and by listening for vocalizations. Counts were
concentrated between 07:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., the peak of daily bird activity. An
additional two hours were spent within the area on the evenings of July 6 and 7, 2006,
and on the mornings of July 7 and 8, 2006, in an attempt to detect nocturnally flying
seabirds over-flying the project area. Time not spent counting was used to search the
remainder of the study site for species and habitats that were not detected during count
sessions.
Avian Survey Results
A total of 501 individual birds of 24 different species, representing 15 separate families,
and one sub-family were recorded during station counts (Table 1). One species recorded,
the Hawaiian Hawk (Buteo solitarius) is an endemic endangered species. Two species,
Hawaii Amakihi (Heni ftnathus vixens), and Apapane (Himatione sanquinae) are
endemic forest birds and two; Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nvcticorax nyeticorax
hoactli), and Short-cared Owl (Asio flammeus sanwichensis) are indigenous resident
species. The remaining 19-species detected are alien to the Hawaiian islands.
Avian diversity and densities were in keeping with the habitat present within the study
area. Four species, Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus), Zebra Dove (Geopelia
striata), House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis), and Common Myna
(Acridotheres tristis) accounted for 59% of the total number of birds recorded during
station counts. The most common avian species recorded was Japanese White-eye, which
accounted for slightly less than 20% of the total number of individual birds recorded. An
average of 25 individual birds were recorded per station count.
Discussion
Mammalian Resources
The findings of the mammalian survey are consistent with the habitat present on the site.
The endangered Hawaiian hoary bats was recorded on both nights that they were
surveyed for. This is not surprising, as this species is relatively common in the Hamakua
District on a seasonal basis. (Jacobs 1994, David 2006). Unlike nocturnally flying
seabirds, which often collide with man-made structures, bats are uniquely adapted to
avoid collision with most obstacles, man-made or natural. They navigate and locate their
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 6
prey primarily by using ultrasonic echolocation, which is sensitive enough to allow them
to locate and capture small volant insects at night.
Table 1
Avian Species Detected, Pa`uilo Lands Survey
Common Name Scientific Name ST RA
GALLTFORMES
PHASIANIDAE-Pheasants&Partridges
Phasianinae-Pheasants&Allies
Black Francolin Francolinus franeolinus A 0.55
Erckel's Francolin Francolinus erckelii A 0.15
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus D 0.65
Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus A 0.40
ODONTOPHORIDAE-New World Quail
California Quail Callipepla califbrnica A 0.35
CTCONTTFORMES
ARDEIDAE-Herons,Bitterns &Allies
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis A 0.15
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nyeticorax nyeticorax hoactli IB 0.10
FALCONTFORMES
ACCIPITRIDAE-Hawks,Kites,Eagles&Allies
Hawaiian Hawk Buteo solitarius EE 0.10
COLUMBTFORMES
COLUMBIDAE-Pigeons&Doves
Rock Pigeon Columba livia A 0.25
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis A 1.55
Zebra Dove Geopelia striata A 3.60
STRTGTFORMES
TYTONIDAE-Barn Owls
Barn Owl Two alba A 0.50
STRIGIDAE-Typical Owls
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus sandwichensis IB 0.50
TIMALIIDAE-Babblers
Hwamei Garrulax canorus A 0.90
ZOSTEROPIDAE-White-eyes
Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus A 4.95
MTMTDAE-Mockingbirds&Thrashers
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos A 0.20
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 7
Common Name Scientific Name ST RA
STURNIDAE-Starlings
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis A 3.00
CARDINALIDAE-Cardinals Saltators&Allies
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis A 1.70
FRINGILLIDAE-Fringilline and Carduleline
Finches &Allies
Carduelinae-Carduline Finches
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus A 3.15
Drepanidinae-Hawaiian Honeycreepers
Hawaii Amakihi Hemignathus vixens EB 0.25
Apapane Himatione sane inea EB 0.20
PASSERIDAE-Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow Passer domesticus A 0.80
ESTRILDIDAE-Estrildid Finches
Estrildinae-Estrildine Finches
African Silverbill Lonchura cantans A 0.50
Nutmeg Mannikin Lonchura punctulata A 1.45
KEY TO TABLE I
ST Status
A Alien Species
D Domestic—Not known to be established in the wild on the Island of Hawaii
TB Indigenous Breeding—An indigenous resident breeding species
EE Endangered Endemic—An endemic species listed as Endangered by both Federal and State statutes
EB Endemic Breeding—An endemic resident breeding species
RA Relative Abundance:Number of birds detected divided by the number of count stations(20)
The Hawaiian hoary bat is a typical lasurine bat, and as such they primarily lead a
solitary existence, described as "over-dispersed". They generally roost cryptically in
foliage, which makes them difficult to study (Findley and Tomich 1983, Jacobs 1993,
Carter et al. 2000). Very little research into the life cycle, distribution, or population
estimates of this species, has been conducted; and much of what has been studied, were
small, disconnected, or anecdotal studies as opposed to coherent controlled experiments.
Fundamental research into this species distribution and life cycle has just begun
(Bonaccorso et al. 2005).
One rat of indeterminate species and numerous mice were seen during this survey, as
were several European house mice. Tt is likely that roof rats (Rattus r. rattus), Norway
rats (Rattus norvegicus), and possibly Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans hawaiiensis)utilize
resources on the property in addition to mice. Without conducting a trapping program, it
is difficult to assess the population densities of these often hard-to-see alien mammals.
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 8
Avian Resources
Avian diversity and densities were in keeping with the habitat present within the Study
area. A total of 24 avian species were detected during the course of this survey(Table 1).
One species recorded, the Hawaiian Hawk (Buteo solitarius) is an endemic endangered
species.
Hawaiian Hawks are currently found in nearly all habitats that still have some large tree
components on the island. They are regularly seen foraging in the Hamakua area. Hawk
densities are highest in mature, native species dominated forests, with grassy under-
stories. This habitat, with high amounts of forest edge, supports large populations of
game birds and the four species of introduced rodents known from the island, all of which
are prey items for the hawk. Additionally, this type of habitat also provides numerous
perches and nesting sites suitable for this species (Klavitter 2000).
The Hawaiian Hawk, or 'io, is the only extant falconiforme in Hawaii. It is currently
endemic to the Island of Hawaii. Sub-fossil remains indicate that it was also formerly
found on Molokai and Kauai (Olson & James 1997). Several incidental unconfirmed
sightings of this species exist from Kauai (Dole 1879, Beaglehole, 1967) and Maui
(Banko 1980c). This species was first mentioned in the western literature by Cook and
King in (1784) and was scientifically described by Peale in 1848 from a specimen
collected in "Kealakekua" (Medway 1981,Peale 1848).
Current population estimates based on John Klavitter's research extrapolates that there
are currently 1,457 Hawaiian Hawks that, in his estimation, is equal to or higher than
what was present in pre-contact times (Klavitter 2000).
Hawaiian Hawks, like many other Hawaiian endemic avian species, have low mortality
<9%, and reproductive rates, lay only one egg per season, fledge one chick, and live —20
years (Klavitter 2000). The Hawaiian Hawk breeding season starts in late March, chicks
hatch in May, and begin fledge in July (Griffin et al. 1998). Although hawks use
resources in most forest habitats they usually pick `ohi'a trees in which to nest. Of 112
nests found during the 1998 and 1999 nesting seasons, 82% of the nests were located in
`ohi`a trees (Klavitter 2000).
Two species detected, Hawaii Amakihi(Heni ftnathus virens), and Apapane (Himatione
sanquinae) are relatively common endemic forest birds usually found in native
vegetation. These birds were all recorded at the upper reaches of the property in very
small numbers. Two other species recorded, Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax
nycticorax hoactli), and Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus sanwichensis) are indigenous
resident species. The remaining 19-species detected are alien to the Hawaiian Islands.
Although not detected during this survey, it is possible that small numbers of the
endangered endemic Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandivichensis), and the threatened
Newell's Shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli), over-fly the study area between the
months of May and November(Banko 1980a, 1980b, Hanison 1990,Day et al. 2003a).
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 9
Hawaiian Petrels were formerly common on the Island of Hawaii (Wilson and 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 at the mid-to-high elevations of Mount Hualalai. It has, within recent historic
times, been reduced to relict breeding colonies located at high elevations on Mauna Loa
and,possibly, Mount Hualalai(Banko 1980a, Banko et al. 2001, Cooper and David 1995,
Cooper et al. 1995, Day et al. 2003a, Harrison 1990, Simons and Hodges 1998). The
United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed Hawaiian Petrels as an
endangered species in 1967 and by the State of Hawaii in 1973 (Federal Register 1967,
DLNR 1998)
Newell's Shearwaters were formerly common on the Island of Hawaii (Wilson and
Evans 1890-1899). This species breeds on Kauai, Hawaii, and Molokai. Newell's
Shearwater populations have dropped precipitously since the 1880s (Banko 1980b, Day
et al., 2003b). This pelagic species nests high in the mountains in burrows excavated
under thick vegetation, especially uluhe (Dicranopteris linearis) fern. Newell's
Shearwater was listed as a threatened species by the USFWS in 1975 and by the State of
Hawaii in 1973 (Federal Register 1975,DLNR 1998).
The primary cause of mortality in both Hawaiian Petrels and Newell's Shearwaters is
thought to be predation by alien mammalian species at the nesting colonies (USFWS
1983, Simons and Hodges 1998, Ainley et al. 2001). Collision with man-made structures
is considered to be the second most significant cause of mortality of these seabird species
in Hawaii. Nocturnally flying seabirds, especially fledglings on their way to sea in the
summer and fall, can become disoriented by exterior lighting. When disoriented, seabirds
often collide with manmade structures, and if they are not killed outright, the dazed or
injured birds are easy targets of opportunity for feral mammals (Hadley 1961, Telfer
1979, Sincock 1981, Reed et al. 1985, Telfer et al. 1987, Cooper and Day 1998, Podol sky
et al. 1998, Ainley et al. 2001). There is no suitable nesting habitat within the study area
for either of these pelagic seabird species.
Conclusions
From a native avian and mammalian perspective there is nothing unique about these
lands. By in large these lands are highly degraded, and are of minimal value to native
avian and mammalian species in their current condition. The riparian habitat within the
various gulches on the properties likely supports Hawaiian hoary bats. The upper, open
slopes provide foraging and possibly some nesting opportunities for Hawaiian Hawks.
Both of these listed species are relatively common in the Hamakua District, and can be
expected to use resources on similar lands within the District.
The proposed sale and subsequent use of the Pa`auilo County lands is not expected to
have any substantial deleterious impact on native avian and mammalian species present in
the area.
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 10
Glossary:
Alien—Introduced to Hawaii by humans.
Commensal—Animals that share humans' food and shelter,such as rats and mice.
Crepuscular—Twilight hours.
Domesticated—Feral species,not considered established in the wild on the Island of Hawaii.
Endangered—Listed and protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973,as amended as an
endangered species.
Endemic—Native and unique to the Hawaiian Islands.
Indigenous—Native to the Hawaiian Islands,but also found elsewhere naturally.
Mauka—Upslope,towards the mountains.
Makai—Down-slope,towards the ocean.
Nocturnal—Night-time,after dark.
Pelagic—An animal that spends its life at sea—in this case seabirds that only return to land to
nest and rear their young.
Threatened—Listed and protected under the ESA as a threatened species.
Volant—Flying,capable of flight, as in flying insect.
DLNR—Hawaii State Department of Land&Natural Resources.
ESA—Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973,as amended.
TMK—Tax Map Key.
USFWS—U.S.Fish&Wildlife Service.
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 11
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CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 14
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Resources, State of Hawaii,Honolulu.
Telfer, T. C. 1979. Successful Newell's Shearwater Salvage on Kauai. 'Elepaio 39:71
Telfer, T. C. ,J. L. Sincock,G.V. Byrd,and J.R.Reed. 1987.Attraction of Hawaiian seabirds
to lights: Conservation efforts and effects of moon phase.Wildlife Society Bulletin
15:406-413.
Tomich,P.Q. 1986. Mammals in Hawaii.Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu,Hawaii.37 pp.
U.S.Fish&Wildlife Service(USFWS) 1983. Hawaiian Dark-Rumped Petrel&Newell's Manx
Shearwater Recovery Plan. USFWS,Portland, Oregon.February 1983.
Wagner,W.L.,D.R Herbst, and S.H. Sohmer. 1990.Manual of the Flowering Plants of
Hawai`i.University of Hawaii Press,Honolulu,Hawaii 1854 pp.
Wagner,W.L. and D.R.Herbst. 1999. Supplement to the Manual of'the flowering plants of
Hawai`i, 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 Hawaii Press and Bishop
Museum Press, Honolulu.
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.
CH Pa'auilo Lands-Faunal Survey—2006- 15
Appendix C
Archaeological Inventory Survey
Haun & Associates
August 2006
Report 462-072606
ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVENTORY SURVEY
COUNTY OF HAWAII PA'AUILO LANDS
LANDS OF KAMOAUAU, MANIENIE, OPIHILALA,
HAUOLA, PA'AUILO AND A'AMANU
HAMAKUA DISTRICT, ISLAND OF HAWAII
(TM K: [3] 4-3-007:001 , 4-3-009:0195 024;
4-3-011 :0013 002)
Haun & Associates
Archaeological,Cultural,and Historical Resource Management Services
HCR 1 Box 4730,Keaau,Hawaii 96749 Phone:982-7755 Fax:982-6343
ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVENTORY SURVEY
COUNTY OF HAWAII PA'AUILO LANDS
LANDS OF KAMOAUAU, MANIENIE, OPIHILALA,
HAUOLA, PA'AUILO AND A'AMANU
HAMAKUA DISTRICT, ISLAND OF HAWAII
(TMK: [3] 4-3-007:001, 4-3-009:019, 024;
4-3-011:001, 002)
By:
Alan E. Haun, Ph.D.
and
Dave Henry, B.S.
Prepared for:
PBR Hawaii
101 Aupuni Street
Hilo Lagoon Center, Suite 310
Hilo,Hawaii 96720
August 2006
Haun & Associates
Archaeological,Cultural,and Historical Resource Management Services
HCR 1 Box 4730,Keaau,Hawaii 96749 Phone:982-7755 Fax:982-6343
SUMMARY
At the request of PBR Hawaii Haim & Associates conducted an archaeological inventory survey
of a c. 740 acre parcel located in the Lands of Kamoauau, Manienie, Opihilala, Hauola, Pa'auilo and
A'amanu, Hamakua District, Island of Hawai'i (TMK: [3] 4-3-007:001. 4-3-009:019, 024, 4-3-011:001,
002). The objective of the survey was to satisfy current historic preservation regulatory review inventory
requirements of the Department of Land and Natural Resources-State Historic Preservation Division.
The archaeological survey identified of two sites with four features. The identified sites conform
to expected historic remains within the project area.One site consists of a terrace and retaining walls poten-
tially associated with early 1900s homestead use of the parcel. These features potentially served to control
erosion because the features are situated on a steep slope that is unlikely to have been used for agriculture.
It is possible that the features were constructed to stabilize the slope in conjunction with planting eucalyp-
tus trees.
The other site is a concrete wall that retains a dirt road. The use of formed concrete indicates a
probable 1900s age for the site. The road is part of a network of roads that provided access to sugar cane
fields and it is likely that the site was constructed by the Hamakua Sugar Company or is predecessor the
Hamakua Mill Company.
No traditional Hawaiian sites were identified, but this is not unexpected because the area would
have had a very low site density. Furthermore,archaeological evidence for such sites,primarily temporary
camps and trails, would be minimal consisting of food remains and artifacts. Habitation structures were
probably made entirely of perishable materials including wood and thatch because surface stones are rare.
The extensive mechanized cultivation of sugar cane undoubtedly would have destroyed any evidence of
traditional use in the areas occupied by fields. The drainages in the project area are narrow, steep-walled
and relatively straight channels that are scoured during periodic floods and are very unlikely to contain cul-
tural deposits.
Both sites are assessed as solely significant for their information content. The sites have yielded
information important for understanding late prehistoric to historic land use. The mapping,written descrip-
tion, excavation, and photography at the sites adequately documents the sites and no further work or pres-
ervation is recommended.
11
CONTENTS
Introduction • 1
Scope of Work • 1
Project Area Description • 1
Field Methods • 4
Archaeological and Historical Background 7
Historical Documentary Research • 7
Previous Archaeological Work • 13
Project Expectations • 16
Findings • 17
Conclusion • 25
Discussion • 25
Significance Assessments 25
Recommended Treatments 25
References • 26
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure 1. Portion of USGS 1995 Honokaa Quadrangle Showing Project Area 2
Figure 2. Tax Map Key 3-4-3 showing Project Area • 3
Figure 3. Project Area Overview 5
Figure 4. Project Area Overview 5
Figure 5. Satellite Image showing Project Area • 6
Figure 6. Ahupua'a Boundaries, Land Commission Awards and Previous
Archaeological Work • 8
Figure 7. Portion of Wall's 1915 Map of Hamakua Homesteads • 14
Figure 8. Portion of 1915 Territory of Hawaii Hamakua Quadrangle • 15
Figure 9. Site Location Map • 18
Figure 10. Site 25536 Plan Map • 19
Figure 11. Site 25536, Feature A Plan Map and TU-1 Southwest face Profile 20
Figure 12. Site 25536, Feature B and C Plan Map • 21
Figure 13. Photo of Site 25536, Feature C Retaining Wall • 22
Figure 14. Photo of Site 25537 Retaining Wall • 22
iii
TABLES
Table 1. Land Commission Award Claims • 10
Table 2. Project Area Land Grants • 12
iv
INTRODUCTION
At the request of PBR Hawaii, Haun&Associates conducted an archaeological inventory survey
of a c. 740 acre parcel located in the Lands of Kamoauau, Manienie, Opihilala, Hauola, Pa'auilo and
A'amanu, Hamakua District, Island of Hawai'i (TMK: [3] 4-3-007:001. 4-3-009:019, 024, 4-3-011:001,
002; Figures 1 and 2). The objective of the survey was to satisfy current historic preservation regulatory
review inventory requirements of the Department of Land and Natural Resources-State Historic Preserva-
tion Division(DLNR-SHPD), as contained within Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 13,DLNR, Subtitle
13,State Historic Preservation Rules(DLNR 2003).
The survey fieldwork was conducted between June 27 and 30, 2006 under the direction of Dr.
Alan Hann. Twelve person days were required to complete the fieldwork portion of the project. Described
in this final report are the project scope of work,field methods,background research, survey findings, and
significance assessments of the sites with recommended treatments.
Scope of Work
Based on DLNR-SHPD rules for inventory surveys the following specific tasks were determined
to constitute an appropriate scope of work for the project:
I. Conduct background review and research of existing archaeological and historical docu-
mentary literature relating to the project area and its immediate vicinity--including ex-
amination of Land Commission Awards,ahupua'a records,historic maps,archival mate-
rials,archaeological reports,and other historical sources;
2. Conduct a variable intensity,pedestrian survey coverage of the project area;
3. Conduct detailed recording of all potentially significant sites including scale plan draw-
ings,written descriptions,and photographs,as appropriate;
4. Conduct limited subsurface testing (manual excavation) at selected sites to determine
function;
5. Analyze background research and field data;and
6. Prepare and submit Final Report.
Project Area Description
The project area consists of a c. 740-acre parcel that ranges in elevation from c. 1,590 to 2,520 ft.
The parcel is comprised of abandoned sugar cane fields that are bisected by three stream gulches (Opi-
hilala,Waipunalau and Pa'auilo Gulches),with a fourth gulch forming a portion of the eastern project area
boundary (A'amanu Gulch). A series of dirt access roads extend throughout the project area, created to
allow access to the cane fields.Several of the roads are no longer used and overgrown with grass.
The soil within the majority of the project area is comprised of Honokaa silty clay loam on 10-
20%slopes.This soil is situated on the windward side of Mauna Kea and is characterized by a surface layer
of dark brown silty clay loam,with a subsoil comprised of dark colored silty clay loam(Sato et al. 1973:18-
19). This soil evidences a rapid permeability,a slow runoff and a slight erosional bazard and is suitable for
pasture and woodland(1973:19).An area of Honokaa silty clay loam on 20 to 35%slopes is present in the
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southwestern portion of the parcel. This soil is similar to the 10-20% slope portion of the Honokaa soil,
though it is steeper with medium runoff potential and a moderate erosional hazard (1973:19). Both soil
types are listed as suitable for pasture and woodlands,with lower elevation areas suitable for sugar cane.
The soil throughout the remainder of the project area consists of Rough Broken Land situated within the
various stream gulches. Sato et al. describes this as a"....miscellaneous land broken by intermittent drain-
age channels...primarily in gulches" (1973:51). This land unit evidences a slope of from 35 to 70%with
soils ranging from shallow to deep and intermixed with outcrops. It is classified as suitable for pasture,
woodland,wildlife habitat and recreation. The underlying substrate in this area is comprised of Pleistocene
Era lavas that originated from Mauna Kea(Wolfe and Morris 2000).
Rainfall in the project area vicinity ranges from 80 to 100 inches per year (Juvik and Juvik
(1998:57). Vegetation throughout most of the parcel consists of feral sugar cane and other grasses. The
stream drainages were mostly forested variably characterized by ironwood (Casuarina equisetifolia L.),
eucalytus (Eucalvptus spp.), kukui (Aleurites mnluccana), bamboo (Bambusa spp.), strawberry guava
(Psidium cattleianum Sabine), Coffee (Coffea Arahica), orchids, passion fruit (Passifloraeduhs), ginger
(Hedychium gardnerianum)and numerous ferns.Examples of the project area vegetation are shown in Fig-
ures 3 and 4.
Field Methods
As discussed above,the parcel is comprised of abandoned sugar cane lands bisected by a series of
dirt roads and by four stream gulches.The areas of sugar cane fields were subjected to a vehicular examina-
tion with surveyors slowly driving all roads. In addition, sample pedestrian transects were walked through
the central portions of TMK 4-3-11:002 and TMK 4-3-7:001 to confirm the disturbed nature of the former
sugar cane fields.
The stream drainages were carefully examined with surveyors spaced at 10 in intervals. Transects
were oriented in inland-seaward directions,following the stream courses.Four forested areas not in drain-
ages also were systematically surveyed with 10 in interval transects. These areas consist of: (a) a ridge in
the central seaward half of TMK:4-3-009:024,(b)the central portion of TMK 4-3-009:019,(c)the south-
east corner of TMK 4-3-11:002, and(d)the northeast corner of TMK 4-3-011:001 and the western edge
of TMK 4-3-011:002(Figure 4).
The identified sites and features were flagged with pink and blue flagging tape and their locations
plotted on a scaled project area map.The sites were subjected to detailed recording consisting of the prepa-
ration of scaled plan maps,the completion of standardized site/feature forms,and photographic documenta-
tion. A metal site tag was placed at each site and the tag's location was plotted on the scaled plan maps.
The identified sites/features were located with the aid of Gal-min Global Positioning System (GPS) III+
using the World Geodetic Survey(WGS) 1984 datum.The accuracy of the GPS device for a single point is
+/- 15 m.This accuracy is increased to less than c. 3-5 meters by taking multiple points including property
corners and overlying the plotted points on a scaled map using AutoCAD software.
Subsurface testing during the survey consisted of the excavation of one test unit. The excavation
was dug in arbitrary levels within stratigraphic layers and was terminated in culturally sterile soil. Stan-
dardized excavation records were prepared after the completion of each stratigraphic layer. The soil re-
moved during the excavation was screened through '/4" mesh. Portable remains collected were placed in
paper bags labeled with the appropriate provenience information. Recovered charcoal samples were col-
lected during the screening process.These samples were deposited in aluminum foil pouches and placed in
properly labeled paper bags. Following the excavation a section drawing depicting the stratigraphy was
prepared,and post-excavation photographs were taken.
4
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Figure 4.Project Area Overview,view to east
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ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Historical Documentary Research
The project area is situated in Hamakua District in the ahupua'a of Kamoauau, Manienie, Opi-
hilala, Hauola, Pa'auilo and A'amanu, which are situated in the sub-districts of Ka'ohe (Pa'auilo and
A'amanu)and Hanakamali'i(Cordy 1994). The area was arduous to traverse because of the steeply walled
valleys and stream crossings. These ahupua'a extend from the coast approximately three miles inland to
between 2,400 and 2,500 ft elevation(Figure 6).
Originally,ahupua'a in the region were probably centered on the main drainages and the bounda-
ries typically followed readily identified natural features such as ridges and drainages (Cordy 1994). The
presence of numerous other small ahupua'a along the coast undoubtedly is a result of fissioning of land
units in the lower elevation areas where traditional agriculture and settlement were concentrated. Such fis-
sioning would likely have occurred with the separation of the smaller di-level subdivisions of an ahupua'a,
which originally were parallel strips of land perpendicular to the shoreline with access to the full range of
natural resources.The ili was an important late prehistoric-early historic land unit because of its association
with the `ohana as the family land holding unit, an important social element in the traditional Hawaiian
land use system.
No specific legendary or traditional Hawaiian references to the project area ahupua'a were found.
King Kalakaua(1972)described the region between Hilo and Waipio as follows:
In the time of Liloa[c. 1400s],and later,this plateau was thickly populated,and requiring
no irrigation,was cultivated from the sea to the line of frost. A few kalo patches are still
seen, and bananas grow, as of old, in secluded spots and along the banks of the ravines;
but the broad acres are green with cane, and the whistle of the sugar cane-mill is heard
above the roar of the surf...(1972:284).
One of the first western descriptions of the windward cost of Hawai'i Island comes from the natu-
ralist Menzies,who was a member of Vancouver's expedition in 1793.
The land we passed in the forenoon rose in a steep bank from the water side and from
thence the country stretched back with an easy acclivity for about four or five miles,and
was laid out into little fields,apparently well cultivated and interspersed with habitations
of the natives. Beyond this the country became steeply rugged and woody, forming the
mountains of great elevation(1920:51-52).
The Reverend William Ellis sailed up the coast between Hilo and Hawi in 1823 and provides the
following description:
The country by which we sailed,was fertile,beautiful,and apparently populous. The nu-
merous plantations on the eminence's and sides of the steep ravines or valleys, by which
it was intersected,with the stream meandering through them into the sea,presented alto-
gether a most agreeable prospect(1963:244).
This part of the island,from the district of Waiakea to the northern point,appears to have
remained many years undisturbed by volcanic eruptions. The habitations of the natives
generally appear in clusters at the openings of the valleys, or scattered over the face of
the high land.The soil is fertile,and herbage abundant(1963:251).
Cordy(1994)estimated the population of Hanakamali'i District to be 1,152 at contact.Missionary
census figures cited by Cordy show a steady post-contact decline from 530 in 1831-2,to 424 in 1842,280
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in 1845,and 233 in 1849. The population of Ka'ohe was estimated to be 598 at contact with a post-contact
decline fi-om 275 in 1831-2,to 220 in 1842, 170 in 1845,and 139 in 1849.Cordy estimates that the average
ahupua'a population in Hanakamali'i was 72 at contact and it declined to 27 by 1842. The contact period
average was 60 for Ka'hoe declining to 22.
Cordy (1994) used missionary records, Boundary Commission (BC) records, Land Commission
Award(LCA)testimony, early historic accounts, and other sources to develop a model for early historic
settlement patterns in the windward,East Hamakua region. The model consists of four zones: the seashore,
seaward upland slopes, 'Ohi'a-Koa forest,and gulches.The shoreline,which primarily consists of a narrow
marine bench, was almost solely used for marine exploitation. Ahupua'a boundary markers, consisting of
stone cairns,were present on the shore.
According to Cordy(1994), the seaward upland slopes were the primary focus of habitation and
agriculture.The were numerous houses and fields clustered along the Alanui Aupuni,or Government Road,
that was the main trail paralleling the coast between 0.3 and 1.3 miles inland and generally following the
route of today's Hawaii Belt Road. Houses and fields were also found seaward of the trail above the high
sea cliffs. The residential structures were large, housing 3-4 families. Agriculture consisted of dryland
fields predominantly planted in taro. Bananas and sweet potatoes were also cultivated. Hedges of sugar
cane frequently surrounded cultivated plots. Livestock consisted of pigs, dogs, and chickens. Ahupua'a
boundaries were marked by low stone walls and cairns. At least ten heiau were present along the coast be-
tween Kukuihaele and Koholalele and a holua was reportedly situated at Keahua.
The 'Ohi'a-Koa forest zone was connected to the lower elevation habitation areas by trails. The
zone was a source for bark for fish nets,bird feathers,and logs for canoes. Scattered plots of bananas and
taro probably were present near the seaward edge of the forest. Stone cairns marking ahupua'a boundaries
were present in gulches.
Cordy (1994) summaries LCA data for two nearby ahupua'a, Pa'auhau to the north and Koho-
lalele to the south. Most of the houses were clustered along the Government Road. House lots contained
from one to four houses and a few were enclosed by walls. Traditional crops mentioned include mamaki,
wauke, bananas, taro, sweet potatoes, and Historically-introduced crops mentioned consist of coffee, to-
bacco,and orange. Other plants mentioned include bamboo,hau,and unspecified vegetables.
During the Mahele Hauola and Opihilala became government lands. The Waihona'Aina database
(2000); which is a compilation of data from the Indices of Awards (Indices 1929), Native Register (NR
n.d.),Native Testimony(NT n.d.), and Foreign Testimony(FT n.d.); lists nine awarded claims for project
area ahupua'a (Tahle 1). Six of the awarded parcels appear on current tax maps (see Figure 6). The
awarded parcels range from 3.96 to 14.5 acres in area with an average of 9.04 acres
All except one of the awarded parcels on tax maps are concentrated between 200 and 800 ft eleva-
tion within one half mile from the shoreline. The claim testimonies mention seven house lots with thirteen
houses. Four house lots were enclosed with walls. The LCA testimonies refer to 100 cultivated patches or
kihapai. References to specific crops include 38 taro kihapai/patches, 10 potato kihapai/patches, 5 coffee
kihapai, four banana kihapai, 3 wauke kihapai, a sugar cane kihapai, a tobacco kihapai, and a lauhala ki-
hapai.
Subsequent historic use of the project area was dominated by sugar cane plantation agriculture
beginning in the late 1870s and continuing in some areas until the 1990s. The following summary of plan-
tation development is derived from Kalima(1992,Appendix B in Head and Rosendahl 1992) and Wilcox
(1996). Plantation worker camps were scattered over the countryside connected by roads to the plantation
villages at the sugar mills at Honokaa,Pa'auhau, and Pa'auilo. The Hamaku Mill Company was incorpo-
rated in 1883 and began operating a mill at Pa'auilo in 1885. The plantations fields extended for six miles
along the coast and up to three miles inland to 2,000 ft elevation. in 1890 the mill employed 29 workers.
The Hamakua Mill Company merged with the Honaka'a Mill Company in 1899. By 1910 the company
employed over 600 workers and a school,company store,and several churches were established at
9
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Pa'auilo. At this time, the company cultivated 4,800 acres and nine miles of railroad track was used for
hauling sugar cane.In the 1920s the work force doubled to over 1,200.
In 1972,Hamakua Mill Company became part of the Laupahoehoe Sugar Company and the mill-
ing operation was moved to Laupahoehoe.The Pa'auahu Sugar Company Plantation was purchased in 1972
by Theo Davies,which already controlled the Laupahoehoe and Honoka`a plantations.The merged compa-
nies subsequently formed the Hamakua Sugar Company,the largest plantation in the state with over 35,000
acres in cultivation. In 1984,Francis Morgan purchased the Hamakua Sugar Company. The company de-
clared bankruptcy in 1993.The project area subsequently was conveyed to the County of Hawaii for unpaid
taxes.
Following the Homestead Act of 1884 the Hawaiian government began surveying and selling
homestead lots. Hamakua homesteads included lots in Ahualoa, Kaao, Kalopa, Ka'apahu, Pa'auilo, Po-
hakea, and Kainehe. Figure 7 is a portion of Wall's 1915 map of Hamakua homesteads in Pa'auilo and
Pohakea. The homesteads in Pa'auilo and Pohakea extended from approximately 1,000 to 2,950 ft eleva-
tion. Table 2 lists the twenty-three land grants that comprise the project area. Three grants are not part of
the homestead blocks and based on the 2000 series numbers are early grants probably dating to the 1850s
or 1860s. The remaining grants include nine Pa'auilo Homesteads First Series grants, six Second Series
grants, and portions of five Pohakea Homesteads grants. These grants were consolidated into five large
parcels by the plantation as indicated on county tax maps(TMK:4-3:Plats 007,009,and 01 1).
Table 2. Project Area Land Grants
Grant Owner Acreage Lot
No.
Early Grants
2048 Pakaula 57
2441 Kekalua 50.5
2442 Kamaihiai 55
Pa'auilo Homesteads-First Series Grants
3950 J.De.Castecazinha 20 17
3951 J.Des.Ramos 18 15
3951 M.D.Canto 20 16
3962 F.O.Martes 17.3 9
3963 G.Leitz 19.1 10
3964 M.Dos.Santos 19.6 3
4063 M.M.Gosmos 15.6 8
4156 A.F.Gil 24.5 1
4216 M.Piemental 19.2 2
Pa'auilo Homesteads-Second Series Grants
4229 A.De.Giar 9.1 4
4597 G.Seitz 74 20
4934 J.Waiohinu 33 21
5057 Mrs.Annie H.Taylor 77.4 18
5077 S.Friedenburg 56.5 22
5245 Emma Notley 76.9 19
Pohakea Homesteads Grants(Portions)
5175 F.Furtado 72 30
5176 E.B.Kalua 68.9 32
5177 A.Fernandez 81.3 34
5284 G.Kretzschmar 89.2 36
5321 M.Aguiar 47 28
12
Figure 7 also shows a network of four roads serving the homestead lots.The first road extends in
and inland-seaward orientation through the eastern half of the Pa'auilo Homesteads- First Series lots. A
second,similarly oriented road services the western half of the First Series Lots.The latter road connects to
two other roads: a third road that extends through the center of the Pa'auilo Second Series lots and a fourth
road that extends through the center of the Pohakea Homesteads lots.
Figure 8 is a portion of the 1915 USGS Hamakua Quadrangle. The map shows the Pa'auilo and
Pohakea Homesteads.A series of railroad grades and spurs extend from the Pa'auilo Mill at the coast.Two
clusters of structures are present at the mill and in Pa'auilo town. The map shows the roads depicted on
Figure 7 in the project area and several structures are depicted along the roads in the project area: two
along the first road noted above, four on the second road,three along the third and one on the fourth road.
These structures probably are houses associated with the land grants and indicate that the area probably was
used for ranching, agriculture and/or residence by some of the grantees. These grant lands were subse-
quently acquired by the plantation and put into sugar cane cultivation that continued until the early 1990s.
Black and white aerial photographs that show the project area from the early 1960s in Baker et al.
(1965:Maps 438,459,and 460)and early 1970s in Sato et al.(1972:Map 21)show the entire project area,
except the gulches covered in sugar cane fields that extend to the coast.
Previous Archaeological Research
A search of the DLNR-SHPD archaeological report database and other sources identified five ar-
chaeological projects in Hamakua District between Ka'ohc and Honokaa.Figure 6 shows the project loca-
tion.Not included in the figure are the studies by Stokes(Stokes and Dye 1991)and Thrum(1908),which
focused on major sites,primarily heiau throughout Hawaii Island, and a survey of east Hawaii by Hudson
(1932).None of the previous studies included the current project area. Cordy(1994)reviewed the studies
by Thrum, Stokes,and Hudson and found references to ten heiau in eastern Hamakua,east of Waipio Val-
ley. Only one,Ka Loa Heiau at Ahualoa,was seen by Stokes and Thrum.Hudson was unable to relocate it
in 1931,and presumed it was destroyed.No heiau were reported for the project area ahupua'a.
Head and Goodfellow(1992)conducted an archaeological inventory of 186 acres between 1,150 ft
and 1,690 ft elevation in the ahupua'a of Papaanui,Paalaea,Haina,Namoku,Papuaa,and Nienie.Only two
sites were identified during the survey of former sugar cane lands. The sites consist of two portions of the
same lava tube system. The sites were interpreted to be temporary habitations. Two charcoal samples re-
covered by excavations at one site produced age ranges of 1634-1955,and 1680-1744 or 1802-1938. Two
volcanic glass flakes were also recovered from the site. The dates and volcanic glass support an interpreta-
tion of the site as being occupied between the 1600s and the early historic period.
Head and Rosendahl (1992)conducted an archaeological inventory survey of 174 acres in the ah-
upua'a of Hauola, Opihilala, and Manieme. The survey area ranged from 700 to 1,000 ft elevation. Three
historic sites were identified consisting of a road and three bridges. Two of the bridges were constructed in
the 1910s by the Hamakua Mill Company,which was based in Pa'auilo.
Rosendahl (1991) and Thompson and Rosendahl (1994) conducted an archaeological survey and
subsurface testing of a 15 acre parcel situated at 1,200 ft elevation in Haina and Namoku.Rechtman(2001)
conducted an archaeological survey of two water tank sites in Ahualoa.No sites were identified by the pro-
jects.
Hann and Henry (2002) conducted an archaeological survey of 36.5 acres in the ahupua'a of
Ka'apahu.The survey area ranged from 1,875 ft to 2,000 ft elevation and included two homestead lots.The
survey identified five historic sites with six features including an oven,hearth,water troughs,terrace, and
excavated pits.
13
J
Q Paauilo Homesteads Q
s First Senes 4 ""
�i � EO.?DS.a. 'v An• �jry.+ro.....
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M
Second Series
66 rlc. - Ac• e� /s r
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��' Pohakea Homesteads
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Figure 7.Portion of Wall's 1915 Map of Hamakua Homesteads
14
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1, r '`'� ! mil, �'•_, r, ;1 `;'1.
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15
The surveys above cover over 400 acres between 700 and 2,200 ft elevation. The surveys identi-
fied ten sites with fourteen features. The only traditional Hawaiian sites are two chambers of a lava tube
system. The near absence of traditional sites is attributed to the massive ground disturbance of sugar cane
cultivation and pasture development. Historic remains identified by the surveys consist of eight sites with
ten features. The historic features consist of sugar plantation-related infrastructure, and habitation and ran-
ch-related associated with homestead lots.
Cordy(1994)summarizes expected traditional Hawaiian site patterns for the East Hamakua Lower
Windward Slopes Sub-region of Hamakua District. Ahupua'a boundary cairns are expected for the shore-
line. Site types for the upland slopes include residences,burials,a few heiau,dryland field, trails,and ahu-
pua'a and `ili boundary marking cairns.Ahupua'a boundary cairns are also expected in the gulches in east-
ern portion of the sub-region. Sites in the upland forest include camps and work stations associated with
forest resource exploitation, water sources, ahupua'a border cairns, trails, a supplementary agricultural
plots.
PROJECT EXPECTATIONS
The project area is situated between c. 1,590 to 2,520 ft elevation,which is at the lower portion of
Cordy's(1994)Ohi'a-Koa Forest Zone based upon cartographic data for nearby Pa'auhau.Based on previ-
ous archaeological work and historical documentary research, traditional Hawaiian site types potentially
include temporary habitations, trails, ahupua'a border cairns, and scattered agricultural plots for bananas
and taro. Expected historic features include agricultural fields,residences,and roads or trails.
16
FINDINGS
The archaeological survey identified two sites with four features. The sites consist of a complex
two retaining walls and a terrace that are probably historic features and potentially functioned to control
erosion (Site 25536), and an historic retaining wall used to support a sugar cane plantation road (Site
25537).The sites are described below and their locations are illustrated in Figure 9. Subsurface testing was
undertaken in one location during the study.The excavation consisted of a 1.0 by 1.0 m test unit dug at Site
25536,Feature A. The results of the excavation are incorporated into the following description for this fea-
ture.
Site 25536
Site 25536 is a complex of a terrace and two retaining walls located on the side of a steep rocky
slope that angles down to the east-southeast. The site is situated in the northeastern portion of the project
area in the Land of Pa'auilo to the west of Pa'auilo Gulch. The site encompasses an area 98.5 m long
(north-northeast by south-southwest) and 12 m wide, at elevations ranging from c. 1,790 to 1,805 ft. The
features are illustrated in Figure 10. The steep slope is forested with strawberry guava in the vicinity of
Features A and B and large eucalyptus trees up to c. 1.0 m in diameter around Feature C. The features are
centrally located on the steep slope at about the same contour.
The Feature A terrace(UTM-E-251047,N-2215348)is situated at the northern end of the site.
The ten-ace is roughly triangular in shape and is 2.92 m long(northeast by southwest)and from 0.35 to 1.95
in wide(Figure 11). It is bordered along the northeast and southeast sides by roughly stacked cobbles and
small boulders, ranging in height from 0.17 to 0.4 in above the surrounding ground surface. The upslope
side of the feature is flush with the slope. The surface of the terrace is comprised of level but unpaved cob-
bles with no cultural remains present.
A 1.0 by 1.0 in test unit(TU-1)was excavated into the surface of the terraced revealing three de-
posits(see Figure 11).Layer I consisted a single course thick(5-10 cm)layer of loose cobbles and pebbles
with a decayed organic matrix. The stones probably were colluvially deposited on the surface of the fea-
ture. Layer II consisted of 0.32 to 0.41 m of a very dark brown (7.5YR 2.5/2) silt with c. 70 %pebbles,
cobbles,and small boulders.Small quantities of charcoal(3.85 g)were scattered throughout this layer.Lin-
ear,ovoid lenses of a dark red(2.5YR 4/6) silt extended into the Layer ITT soil at the base of Layer IT and
into the southwest face of the unit in the base of Layer II.These lenses contained large amounts of charcoal
fragments (114.5 g) and probably are the remains of burned tree roots based on cross-section shape and
linear form.The Layer III deposit consists of a dark yellowish brown(IOYR 3/4)silt B-horizon.The exca-
vation of TU-1 was terminated 0.2 to 0.32 in into this in situ natural deposit. The charcoal in the deposit
apparently is derived from a forest fire.The plantation burned sugar cane fields after harvesting and prior to
replanting.It is likely that the burned tree in the terrace resulted from this activity.
The Feature B retaining wall is situated 34.5 in south of Feature A on the side of a rocky slope
that angles down to the east (Figure 12) This feature is 2.4 m in length (north-northeast by south-
southwest)and 0.9 m wide.A roughly piled cobble and small boulder retaining wall extends along the east-
ern downslope side,ranging in height from 0.4 to 0.43 m.The upslope side of the wall abuts the side of the
slope.The surface is irregular and uneven and slopes down to the east.No cultural remains were present at
the feature.
The Feature C is a linear retaining wall located 31.5 in to the south-southwest of Feature B (see
Figure 12 and Figure 13). The retaining wall evidences an overall length of 31.8 in (north-northeast by
south-southwest). The retaining wall is discontinuous and incorporates several large basalt boulders. It is
constructed of stacked and piled cobbles and small boulders,ranging in height from 0.4 to 1.1 m in height
on the eastern downslope side and is level with surface of the sloping soil on the western upslope side.The
retaining wall varies in width from 0.5 to 1.45 m.Two fallen eucalyptus trees have obscured portions of the
feature, one at the north-northeast end and one in the south-southwest portion. No cultural remains were
found in association with the feature.
17
t / OGulcb\; /
4v 0
4
c / o
O /
/ Gulch
1 / /
/ / J
/ 2
2000 / r
536 `
o �
2200
Q.
25537 /
,Aamanu
Oulch
2400 / J`V
/
KAIIOF2
2600
KAHOE2 /
————— Projcct Area Boundary
— Ahupui a Boundary
Stream Gulch 0 600 1200 1 900f
Road 0 200 400 600m
Contour Intwal=200 ft
Figure 9.Site Location Map
18
Slope direction
Feah=A
—Sloping rocky soil—
Fembim B
—Sloping rocky soil—
—Sloping rocky soil—
/Fe—aum
0
Z
r 4 0 120 24.0 36.Oft
4.0 S.0 12.Om
Figure 10. Site 25536 Plan Map
19
Slope direction
(0.3)=Height in meters Feature A
p IS 3.0 45ft
03) 05 t.o 5.
(0.0
(0.4)
z
—sloping rocky soil— 3 TUA
(0.0
038)
—Sloping rocky soil—
(0.17)
Southwest faze
0 1 a O
QO°o O p II 0
O oil Q
a Q o
00 o
Dark red(2 5YR 41 r)silt-
possible remnant
Uncxcavatcd of burnt tree
70cm
0 so IOOcm
Layer I-Loosely packed cobbles and pebbles
in humus layer,No cultural remains
Layer 11-Very dark brown(7.5YR 2.513)sill with 70%
cobble,pebble and small boulder inclusions;
Charcoal present
Layer III-Dark yellowish brown(IOYR 314)silt;No
Cultural remains
Figure 11. Site 25536,Feature A Plan Map and TU-1 Southwest face Profile
?O
0 0.4)
Slope direction (0.
(0.43)=Height in mcters I 0.43)
—Sloping rocky soil— Feature 8
—Sloping mcky soil—
Fallen tree
(0.0
Boulder
(0.4)
1.6)
(0.0
(0.8)
Bout
' 0.'n
ralyptus tree
(0.0
Fallen tree 1.1) Feature C
z
(0.0)
(0-7) 0 6.0 12.0 18.0ft
0 2.0 4.0 6 Om
Figure 12. Site 25536,Feature B and C Plan Map
-)I
all
' R . It
.t► r;,Y l�iij�:i,[_ .fir
Figure 13. Photo of Site 25536, Feature C Retaining Wall,view to west-southwest
y ,
'Y
4,
tt . ..
Figure 14. Site 25537 Retaining Wall,view to southwest
Site 25536 is interpreted as a complex of probable historic features because it is unlikely that tradi-
tional Hawaiian use of the `Ohi'a-Koa forest zone(Gordy 1994),which largely was limited to exploitation
of natural resources,would have included construction such features.The terrace and retaining walls poten-
tially were used to retain the slope for erosion control because the slope probably is too steep for cultiva-
tion. The features may date to the late 1800s to early 1900s homestead use of the area.The features proba-
bly escaped destruction by mechanized cultivation of sugar cane because the site is situated on a relative
steep and rocky slope.The site is unaltered and in fair condition.
Site 25537
Site 25537 (UTM—E-250023, N-2214979) is a retaining wall built across the bottom of Opi-
hilala Gulch on the seaward side of a dirt road that the wall retains.The retaining wall is made of concrete
wall mixed with cobbles and small boulders that is 12.3 in long(northwest by southeast;Figure 14). The
northeast side of the wall is vertical,ranging in height from 0.35 to 1.0 m. The face of the wall has regular
horizontal grooves formed by corrugated metal roofing that was used a form for the concrete. The south-
west side tapers down from the top. The wall is 1.0 in wide at the base and 0.65 in wide at the top. A 2"
metal pipe extends horizontally through the wall at the southeastern end. Site 25537 is interpreted as an
historic erosion control feature likely built to protect the road from periodic flooding. The wall probably
was constructed by the sugar cane plantation It is unaltered and in fair condition.
23
CONCLUSION
Discussion
The identified sites conform to expected historic remains within the project area.The sites include
a terrace and retaining walls potentially associated with early 1900s homestead use of the parcel. The fea-
tures potentially served to control erosion because the features are situated on a steep slope that is unlikely
to have been used for agriculture. It is possible that the features were constructed to stabilize the slope in
conjunction with planting eucalyptus trees. In the early 1900s in response to deforestation by sugar cane
plantations to expand cultivation and for timber and firewood, the Territorial Bureau of Forestry began re-
forestation efforts by planting exotic trees including Sugi pine (Cryptomeria japonica), pine trees (Pinus
spp.),and eucalyptus on the slopes above the sugar cane fields from Hilo to Honokaa(Hann et al.2001).
Site 25537 is a concrete wall that retains a dirt road. The use of formed concrete indicates a prob-
able 1900s age for the site. The road is part of a network of roads that provided access to sugar cane fields
and it is likely that the site was constructed by the Hamakua Sugar Company or is predecessor the Hama-
kua Mill Company.
No traditional Hawaiian sites were identified, but this is not unexpected because the area would
have had a very low site density. Furthermore,archaeological evidence for such sites,primarily temporary
camps and wails, would be minimal consisting of food remains and artifacts. Habitation structures were
probably made entirely of perishable materials including wood and thatch because surface stones are rare.
The extensive mechanized cultivation of sugar cane undoubtedly would have destroyed any evidence of
traditional use in the areas occupied by fields. Wet taro terraces are known from large stream drainages on
the Hamakua coast(Cordy 1994). The drainages in the project area are narrow, steep-walled and relatively
straight channels that are scoured during periodic floods and are very unlikely to contain cultural deposits.
Significance Assessments
Pursuant to DLNR (1998)Chapter 275-6 (d),the initial significance assessments provided herein
are not final until concurrence from the DLNR has been obtained. Sites identified during the survey are
assessed for significance based on the criteria outlined in the Rules Governing Procedures for Historic
Preservation Review(DLNR 2003: Chapter 275).According to these rules,a site must possess integrity of
location,design,setting,materials,workmanship,feeling,and association and shall meet one or more of the
following criteria:
I. Criterion "a". Be associated with events that have made an important contribution to the
broad patterns of our history;
2. Criterion"b".Be associated with the lives of persons important in our past;
3. Criterion"c".Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type,period,or method of con-
struction;represent the work of a master;or possess high artistic value;
4. Criterion "d". Have yielded, or is likely to yield, information important for research on
prehistory or history;and
5. Criterion"e". Have an important traditional cultural value to the native Hawaiian people
or to another ethnic group of the state due to associations with traditional cultural prac-
tices once carried out,or still carried out,at the property or due to associations with tradi-
tional beliefs, events or oral accounts--these associations being important to the group's
history and cultural identity.
24
Based on the above criteria, both sites are assessed as significant under Criterion"d". These sites
have yielded information important for understanding historic land use in the project area.
Recommended Treatments
The mapping, written descriptions, photography, and excavation adequately document the sites
and no further work or preservation is recommended.
25
REFERENCES
Cordy,R.
1994 A Regional Synthesis of Hamakua District,Island of Hawaii.Historic Preservation Division,De
partment of Land&Natural Resources,State of Hawaii,Honolulu.
DLNR(Department of Land and Natural Resources)
2003 Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 13.Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, Subtitle 13, State
Historic Preservation Division Rules.
Ellis,W.
1963 Journal of William Ellis,Narrative of a Tour of Hawaii, or Owhyee.Honolulu:Advertiser Pub-
lishing Co.
Hann,A.,and D.Henry
2002 Archaeological Inventory Survey,TMK:4-4-11:015,Land of Ka'apahu,Hamakau District,Is-
land of Hawaii.Haun&Associates Report 156 prepared for Dr.Theodore Lesnett,Honokaa.
Head,J.,and S.Goodfellow
1992 Archaeological Inventory Survey,Hamakua Sugar/Honokaa Parcels,Lands ofPapa'anui,
Pa'alaea,Haina,Namoku,Papua'a and Nienie,Hamakua District,Island of Hawaii(TMK:4-5-
10:03,05,92).PHRI Report 1044-062992 prepared for Hamakua Sugar Company.
Head,J.,and P.Rosendahl
1992 Archaeological Inventory Survey,Hamakua Sugar/Pa'auilo Parcels,Lands of Hauola,Opihilala
and Manienie,Hamakua District,Island of Hawaii(TMK:4-3-03:13,18;4-3-04:03).PHRI Re-
port 1044-060292 prepared for Hamakua Sugar Company.
Juvik,S.P.and J.O.Juvik(editors)
1998 Atlas of Hawaii,Third Edition.Honolulu:University of Hawaii Press.
Kalakaua,D.
1972 The Legends and Myths of Hawaii. Tokyo:Charles E.Tuttle Company,Inc.
Menzies,A.
1920 Hawaii Nei 128 Years Ago.Published by W.F.Wilson.Honolulu.
Rosendahl,P.
1991 Archaeological Inventory Survey,Honokaa Hospital Site Project Area,Lands of Haina and
Namoku,Hamakua District,Island of Hawaii(TMK 3-4-5-10:91).PHRI Letter Report 766 pre-
pared for Wilson Okamoto and Associates.
Rechtman,R.
2001 Letter Report:Archaeological Survey and Limited Cultural Assessment,Ahualoa Homesteads,
Hamakua District,Island of Hawaii (TMK: 2-4-6-07:81 and 3-4-6-08:48).Rechtman Consulting
Report 0081 prepared for Mr.Ron Terry.
Sato,H.H.,W.Ikeda,R.Paeth,R. Smythe,and M.Takehiro,Jr.
1973 Soil Survey of the Island ofHawaii, State of Hawaii.U.S.Department of Agriculture,Soil Con-
servation Service and University of Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station.Washington,D.C.:
Government Printing Office.
26
Stokes,J.F.G.,and T.Dye
1991 Heiau of the Island of Hawai'i.Bishop Museum Bulletin in Anthropology 2. Bishop Museum
Press.Honolulu.
Thompson,L.,and P.Rosendahl
1 Archaeological Subsurface Testing,Honokaa Health Care Facility Site,Lands of Haina and
Namoku,Hamakua District,Island of Hawaii(TMK:3-4-5-10:91).PHRI Report 1154 prepared
for Ronald Nagata AIA.
Thrum,T.G
1907 Heiaus and Heiau Sites Throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Island of Kauai. Hawaiian Ahnanac
and Annual 1907:36-44.Honolulu:Thos.G.Thrum.
Waihona`Aina Corporation
2000 The Mahele Database,Waihona.com.
Wall,W.
1915 Hawaii Territory Survey,Hamakau Homesteads Map,Lying Between Kalopa and Kaohe,Hama-
kua,Hawaii.Map on file at State Survey Office.Honolulu.
Wilcox,C.
1996 Sugar Water:Hawaii's Plantation Ditches.University of Hawaii Press.Honolulu.
Wolfe,E.W.,and J.Mon-is
2001 Geologic Map of the Island of Hawaii.U.S.Department of the Interior,U.S.Geological Survey.
Miscellaneous Investigations Series.
Waihona`Aina Corporation
2000 The Mahele Database,Waihona.com.
27
Appendix D
Pre-Assessment Consultation
Comment and Response Letters
U N I V E R S I T V OF H A W A I ` 1 AT MAN O A
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
Office of the Dean and Director
July 11, 2006
Ms. Marissa Furfaro,Planner
PBR HAWAII
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo,Hawaii 96720
Dear Ms. Furfaro:
SUBJECT: Hawaii County Department of Financ&Pa`autln Lands Pre Consultation
Thank you very much for your letter dated June:16,2006'Tegarding the sale of County of
Hawaii lands at Pa`auilo,Hamakua,Hawaii. The Univer"sity:of Hawaii at Manoa,College of
Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR),request the County.of;Hawai`i preserve
the CTAHR current right of way through parcels 4-3-07.01,4- ,11„O1`and,4-3=11:02°to access-
its Hamakua Research Station located on parcel 4-3-10:07 ,,The r,igl"#of way has been used by
the University for the past 40 years and is essential for us toycbntmue 0t*&s6arch4ctivit es at
this facility.
We also request that you contact the State of Hawaii,Department of Land and Natural
Resources for their input.
We appreciate the opportunity to comment on your proposed project. Please do not
hesitate to contact me at 956-8234 if you have any questions. I look forward to reviewing the
final draft of the environmental assessment.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this comment.
Sincerely,
An ew G. Hashimo
Dean and Director
cc: Ms.Nancy Crawford,Deputy Director, County of Hawaii,Department of Finance
Ms. Lynn Nakamasu,UH Procurement and Property Management
Mr. Thomas Lim,CTAHR Planning and Management
3050 Maile Way,Gilmore Hall 202,Honolulu,Hawai'i 96822-2271
Telephone:(808)956-8234,Facsimile:(808)956-9105,E-mail:dean®ctahr.hawaii.edu
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution
1 9
August 4,2006
L_AP E ARCHITECTURE PLANNING
LANDSCAP Mr.Andrew Hashimoto,Dean and Director
RN\TIRONMFNTAT.STUDIES University of Hawaii at Manoa
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
3050 Mai le Way,Gilmore Hal1202
WM.FRANKBR.vvDT,FASLA Honolulu,Hawaii 96822-2271
CHAIRM Y
SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
PRESIDENT Pre-Assessment Consultation
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and 24,4-3-11:01 and 02
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
EXECUTNE VICE-PRESIDENT
Dear Dean Hashimoto:
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT Thank you for your letter dated July 11, 2006 received during the pre-assessment
VINCENTSHIGEKUNI consultation period for the subject Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). We
VICE PRESIDENT acknowledge the following in the respective order of your comments:
GRANT MURAKAMI,ATCP
PRINCIPAL 1. The County acknowledges that your Hamakua Research Station (located on
parcel 4-3-10:07) has been utilizing a right of way that traverses through the
project site for access to your research activities. The County will include in its
TOM SCHNELL,ATCP sales agreements for the subject project language requiring the purchaser to
SENloenssocfiTE preserve the access currently used by the personnel of the CTAHR agricultural
RAYMOND T.HiGA,ASLA research station on the road passing through these parcels.
SENIOR ASSOCTATF.
KEVINMSHIKAWA,ASLA 2. The State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) was solicited for
AssociATE comments during the pre-assessment consultation period. The DLNR will also be
KIMI MIKAnIT YUEN sent a copy of the forthcoming Draft EA for comment and review.
ASSOCIATE
SCOTT ABRIGO We appreciate your interest and participation in the pre-assessment consultation process.
AssocIATE Your letter and this response will be included in the forthcoming Draft EA.Should you
have any questions,please call me at 808.961.3333.
Sincerely,
HONOLULUOFFICE PBR HAWAII
1001 BTSFOR STRCCT
ASH TOWER,SUITE 650
HaNaiui.u,HAW Ai`i968133484 �
TEL:(908)521-5631
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin(dpbrhawaii.com Marl ssa Furfaro
Planner
nIL°OFFICE
10 AIJPi:NI STREET cc: Nancy Y Crawford,Count of Hawaii
i De artment of Finance
HTLo LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 3 10
HtLo,HAWA1'196720-4262
TEL:(808)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WILT PA Loop,STTITH 4
WATLUKU,HAWAI'196793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAX:(808)242-2902
LINDA LINGLE o F ANTHONY J.H.CHING
GOVERNOR Ap�E j939H4 v
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS,ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT&TOURISM
LAND USE COMMISSION
P.O.Box 2359
Honolulu,Hawaii 96804-2359
Telephone:808-587-3822
Fax:808-587-3827
July 7,2006
Ms. Marissa Furfaro
PBR Hawaii
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo, Hawaii
Dear Ms. Furfaro:
Subject: Hawaii County Department of Finance
Paauilo Lands—Pre-Consultation
We are in receipt of your letter dated June 16,2006, seeking our comments during the
scoping process of the Environmental Assessment(EA)for the proposed sale of County
of Hawaii lands at Paauilo, Hamakua, Hawaii.
We have reviewed the map and confirm that the project site, as generally represented,is
designated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. We suggest that the draft
EA include a map showing the project site in relation to the State land use districts.
We have no further comments to offer at this time. Thank you for the opportunity to
provide comments on this matter, Should you have anv�ty.estions, please feel free to
call me or Bert Saruwatari of our office at 587-3822.
Sincerely,
ANTHONY J. NG
Executive Officer
c: Nancy Crawford,County of Hawaii, Finance Department
Office of Environmental Quality Control
1 9
August 4, 2006
LAND PLANNING
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Mr. Anthony J. H. Ching,Executive Officer
F.NVIRONMF.NTAT.STUDIES
State of Hawaii
Department of Business,Economic Development&Tourism
Land Use Commission
WM.FRANKBRANDT,FASLA P.O. Box 2359
CHAIRM Y
Honolulu,Hawaii 96804-2359
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
PRESIDENT
SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA Pre-Assessment Consultation
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Dear Mr. Ching:
VINCENT SHIGEKUNI
VICE PRESIDENT
Thank you for your letter dated July 7, 2006 received during the pre-assessment
GRANT MURAKAMI,ATCP consultation period for the subject Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). Thank you
PRINCIPAL
for confirming that the project site is located within the State Land Use
Agricultural District. The Draft EA will include a map showing the project site in
TOM SCHNELL,ATCP relation to the State land use districts.
SENIOR Assocf ITE
RAYMOND T.HTGA,ASLA Thank you for your interest and participation in the pre-assessment consultation
SrwoRASsomTE process. Your letter and this response will be included in the forthcoming Draft
KEVINNISHIKAWA,ASLA EA. Should you have any questions,please call me at 808.961.3333.
ASSOCIATE
KTMT MIKAMT YUEN Sincerely,
ASSOCIATE J
SCOTT ABRIGO PBR HAWAII
ASSOCIATE
Marissa Furfaro
Planner
HONOLULU OFFICE
1001 BTSHOPSTREET
ASH
u,HAW,SUITE 13- cc: Nancy Crawford, Count of Hawaii Department of Finance
HoNOi.ui.u,HAW VI 96s 1s-sasa y Y P
TEL:(908)521-5631
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HTLo LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 3 10
Hn.o,HAWAI`196720-4262
TEL:(808)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WTLT PA Loop,StTiTT 4
WAILUKU,FLSWAII 96793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAx:(808)242-2902
Harry Kim Christopher J.Yuen
Mayor Director
Brad Kurokawa,ASLA
LEEDM AP
(IT
V-1-ou t}g At Pafxait Deputy Director
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 - Hilo,Hawaii 96720-3043
(808)961-8288 - FAX(808)961-8742
July 12,2006
Ms.Marissa Furfaro,Planner
PBR HAWAII
101 Aupuni St., Ste. 310
Hilo,HI 96720
Dear Ms.Furfaro:
Subject: Environmental Assessment(EA)Pre-Consultation
Proposed Sale of County of Hawaii Lands
TMKs: (3)4-3-009:019 and 024;4-3-007:001;
and 4-3-011:001 and 002;
Pa'auilo,Hamakua District,Hawaii Island
The Hawaii County Department of Finance proposes to sell approximately 700 acres of land
acquired by the County from Hamakua Sugar in 1994 in a settlement of taxes owed to the
County. The plan is to sell these lands through public auction.
We offer the following comments:
1. Your cover letter states that,"It is assumed that the properties will be used and
maintained consistent with its current zoning and State Land Use Classification."
Judging from the zoning,classifications,and agricultural ratings, all of the subject
properties are intended to be agriculturally used. Therefore,it is important to explain in
the Draft EA how agricultural use and potential agricultural use of all of these parcels will
be assured and perpetuated after the proposed sale.
2. Because the lands involved are presently publicly owned,the Draft EA should describe
the public benefit that will be served by the proposed land sale and what alternative
actions have been considered.
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Ms. Marissa Furfaro
Page 2
July 12,2006
3. Government-owned roads appear to traverse TMKs:4-3-009:019,4-3-011:001 and 002.
The Draft EA should address how the government-owned roads will be affected by the
sale. Is the public using those roads presently? If not,have the roads been blocked off,
thereby prohibiting access that existed in the past? Are any of those"roads,"trails with
public access/recreational potential? Will those roads remain in government ownership
after the sale? If not,what public benefit will be served by the disposition of those roads?
4. TMK: 4-3-009:019 has County zoning of Agricultural-40 acres(A-40a)and
Agricultural-5 acres(A-5a). It has been rated"1"(Prime Lands)in the"Agricultural
Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii"(ALISH) and has been given a`B"and"D"
agricultural productivity rating by the Land Study Bureau. It has the State Land Use
"Agricultural"classification. The County's General Plan gives the subject property the
"Important Agricultural Land"(IAL)designation.
5. TMKs: 4-3-009:024,4-3-007:001 and 4-3-011:001 have County zoning of A-40a and all
of the same ratings and designations of 4-3-009:019.
6. TMK: 4-3-007:002 has County zoning of A-40a and A-5a. It does not have an ALISH
rating;has the agricultural productivity rating of"B"and"D"by the Land Study Bureau;
has the State Land Use Classification of Agricultural;and the County's General Plan
designates it as IAL and EA(Extensive Agriculture).
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposal to dispose of public lands. Please
provide our office with a copy of the Draft EA. Should you have questions,please contact
Deborah Chang of my staff at 961-8288,Ext. 254.
Sincerely,
CHRISTOPHER J.eN
Planning Director
DLC:cd
P:\pubfic\WPWIN600eborah\Comynents\PreEASalebyCountyPaauilo.doc
cc: Nancy Crawford,Deputy Director,Dept. of Finance
1 9
August 4,2006
CANOPY INNING
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Y Mr. Christopher J.Yuen,Director
F.NVTRONMF.NTAT.STUDIES County of Hawaii
Planning Department
101 Pauahi Street,Suite 3
WM.FRANKBRANDT,FASLA Hilo,Hawaii 96720-3043
CHAIRM Y
SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
PRESIDENT Pre-Assessment Consultation
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and 24,4-3-11:01 and 02
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
EXECUTNE VICE-PRESIDENT
Dear Mr.Yuen:
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT Thank you for your letter dated July 12, 2006 received during the pre-assessment
VINCENTSHTGEKUNI consultation period for the subject Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). We offer the
VICE PRESIDENT following responses in the respective order of your comments:
GRANT MURAKAMI,ATCP
PRINCIPAL 1. We do not anticipate the property being taken out of agricultural use in the future.
However, should a future land owner decide to pursue a land use reclassification or
zone change, we are confident that the public processes associated with those
TOM SCHNELL,ATCP entitlements ensure adequate protection of the property.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
RAYMOND T.HIGA,ASLA 2. The county has owned the Pa`auilo Lands since 1994, when it was acquired from
srwoRASsomTF Hamakua Sugar Company in lieu of taxes owed. The county does not foresee the
KEVINNISH1KAwA,ASLA Pa`auilo Lands furthering county purposes while they are owned by the county.
AssociATE Furthermore,the county feels that the lands should be put to their best use, which can
KIMIMIKANTTYUEN best be done by selling them. Currently they are zoned A-40a and A-5a, and by lying
AssocIATE fallow under county ownership, the lands are not meeting their agricultural potential
SCOTT ABRIGO or benefiting the county and the taxpayers. Since the lands were obtained in lieu of
AssocIATE taxes, the county feels that the taxpayers would be best served by their sale and the
use of the proceeds for other county needs.
3. The government—owned road that runs adjacent to TMK 4-3-09:19 is the Antone De
Luz Road. This road will remain in County ownership after the sale of the Pa`auilo
HONOLULUOFFICE Lands.
1001 BTSHDPSTREET
ASH ToWER,SUITE 650
HoNoi.ui.u,HAW WI96813-3484 The government-owned roads that traverse TMKs 4-3-11:01 and 02 will be sold
TEL:(908)521-5631 along with the property on which they lie. The Department of Finance will include in
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhuwaii.com the sales agreements for TMKs 4-3-11:01 and 02 language requiring the purchaser to
preserve the access currently used by the personnel of the University of Hawaii
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Hamakua Research Station.
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HTLo LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 310 The public could be very well using the roads located on TMKs 4-3-11:01 and 02
Hn.o,HAWA1`196720-4262
TEL:(908)961-3333 since they are government roads. However, in order to access these roads,you must
FAX:(808)961-4989 traverse a private road and private property owned by the Kamehameha Schools.
Essentially, these parcels are landlocked so there is no potential to utilize these roads
WAILUKU OFFICE for public access or recreational purposes in the future as there is not a contiguous
1787 WILT PA Loop,ST TiTE 4 government road that accesses these properties.
wATLUKU,nSWAI'196793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAX:(808)242-2902 The benefit to relinquishing ownership of the roads on TMKS 4-3-11:01 and 02 is
that it will eliminate maintenance and liability issues for the County.
August 4,2006
Mr. Chris Yuen
SUBJECT: Pa'auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment;Pre-Assessment Consultation;
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and 24,4-3-11:01 and 02
Page 2 of 2
4. Thank you for confirming the County zoning, County General Plan designation, and classifications
for the "Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii" and the Land Study Bureau for
TMK 4-3-09:19.
5. Thank you for confirming the County zoning, County General Plan designation, and classifications
for the "Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii" and the Land Study Bureau for
TMKs 4-3-09:24,4-3-07:01 and 4-3-11:01.
6. Thank you for confirming the County zoning, County General Plan designation, and classifications
for the "Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii" and the Land Study Bureau for
TMK 4-3-11:02.
Thank you for your interest and participation in the pre-assessment consultation process.Your letter and
this response will be included in the forthcoming Draft EA. Should you have any questions,please call
me at 808.961.3333.
Sincerely,
PBR HAWAII
kh'o*,t
Marissa Furfaro
Planner
cc: Nancy Crawford,County of Hawai`i Department of Finance
Y or
Harry Kim Barbara Bell
Mayor Director
t'v��Ni Mo1i'\
Nelson Ho
Deputy Director
C� lunty of afuat't
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
25 Aupuni Street,Room 210•Hilo,Hawaii 96720-4252
(808)961-8083•Fax(808)961-8086
June 23, 2006
Ms. Marissa Furfaro
PBR Hawaii
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo, HI 96720
Re: Hawaii County Department of Finance
Pa'auilo Lands—Pre-Consultation Environmental Assessment
TMK: 4-3-09:19,4-3-07:01, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Dear Ms. Furfaro,
We have no comments to offer on the subject Environmental Assessment.
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to offer input on this project and if we can be of
further assistance,please don't hesitate to contact us.
Barbara Bell
DIRECTOR
cc: Nancy Crawford, Finance Dept.
1 9
August 4,2006
L_APEAR HTTE Ms.Barbara Bell,Director
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
F.NVIRONMF.NTAT.STUDIES County Of Hawaii
Department of Environmental Management
25 Aupuni Street,Room 210
WM.FRANKBRANDT,FASLA Hilo,Hawaii 96720
CHAIRMIY
SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
PRESIDENT Pre-Assessment Consultation
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and 24,4-3-11:01 and 02
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Dear Ms.Bell:
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT Thank you for your letter dated June 23, 2006 received during the pre-assessment
VINCENTSHIGEKUNI consultation period for the subject Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). We
VICE PRESIDENT acknowledge that you have no comments to offer on the subject project.
GRANT MURAKAMI,ATOP
PRINCIPAL Thank you for your participation in the pre-assessment consultation process.Your letter
and this response will be included in the forthcoming Draft EA. Should you have any
questions,please call me at 808.9613333.
TOM SCHNELL,ATCP
SENPoenssocfITE Sincerely,
RAYMOND T.HIGA,ASLA
SrwoRASsociATR PBR HAWAII
KEVIN AssociATE ASLA .1
ASSOCIATE
KIMI MIKAMT YUEN
AssoclATE Marissa Furfaro
SCOTT ABRIGO Planner
ASSOCIATE
cc: Nancy Crawford,County of Hawai`i Department of Finance
HONOLULU OFFICE
1001 BTSHOPSTREET
ASH TOWER,SUITE 650
HoNDi ui.u,HAW Ai`1 968133484
TEL:(908)521-5631
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HTLD LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 3 10
Hn.o,HAWA1'196720-4262
TEL:(R08)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WILT PA Loop,StTiTT 4
NVAILUKU,H.AWAI I96793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAX:(808)242-2902
J�SV Of N,�
Harry Kim N Jane H.Testa
Mayor '
Director
Diane L.Ley
�t�os'M►�' Deputy Director
County of Hawaii
DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
25 Aupuni Street,Room 109 4 Hilo,Hawaii 96720-4252
(808)961-8366• Fax(808)935-1205
E-mail: chresdev @co.hawaii.hi.us
July 14, 2006
Marissa Furfaro, Planner
PBR Hawaii
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Subject: Hawaii County Department of Finance
Pa'auilo Lands—Pre-Consultation
Dear Ms. Furfaro,
Thank you for providing the Department of Research and Development with an
opportunity to offer comments on the County of Hawaii Department of Finance's
proposed sale of lands at Pa'auilo, Hamakua.
As noted in your communication dated June 16, 2006, the subject lands fall
within the State Land Use Agricultural District and are zone by the County as
Agriculture 40a and 5a. You also highlighted the fact that the lands were formerly
in sugar cane production; thus, there is evidence that these lands were
historically important to agriculture production in the Hamakua region.
Today, agriculture in Hamakua continues to transition and diversify from mono-
crop production of sugar cane to numerous food, fiber and animal units. This
transformation has also included a movement from a single plantation to many
individually operated farms and ranches. Such a dramatic transformation has
required and will continue to require applied research, such as that provided by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center
(PBARC) and the University of Hawaii at Manoa's College of Tropical Agriculture
and Human Resources (CTAHR).
Currently, CTAHR has an agricultural research station located near by and the
water line that services the station crosses the County's lands. The Department
of Research and Development, PBARC, the Hamakua Farm Bureau and others
have acknowledged the potential for future use of these lands for research
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Marisa Furfaro
PBR Hawaii
July 14, 2006
Page 2.
programs and their potential to form partnerships among government agencies.
Therefore, the draft environmental assessment should address issues related to
agriculture and applied research.
Again, thank you for this opportunity to provide comments.
Sincerely,
Diane Ley
Deputy Director
C: Nancy Crawford, Deputy Director
Department of Finance
1 9
August 4,2006
LAND
LANDSCAPE ARCHI TE CTURE Ms.Diane Ley,Deputy Director
F.NVIRONMF.NTAT.STUDIES County of Hawaii
Department of Research and Development
25 Aupuni Street,Room 109
WM.FRANKBRANDT,FASLA Hilo,Hawaii 96720-4252
CHAIRMIV
SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
PRESIDENT Pre-Assessment Consultation
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and 24,4-3-11:01 and 02
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Dear Ms.Ley:
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT Thank you for your letter dated July 14, 2006 received during the pre-assessment
VINCENT SHIGRKUNI consultation period for the subject Draft Environmental Assessment(EA).
VICE PRESIDENT
GRANTMURAxAMI,ATCP We are aware that the University of Hawaii,College of Tropical Agriculture and Human
PRINCIPAL Resources (CTAHR)has its Hamakua research station adjacent to the subject project site.
The CTAHR was consulted during the pre-assessment consultation period and will be
consulted again during the public review process of the Draft Environmental Assessment.
TOM SCHNELL,ATCP
SEN1oRAssocfITE Currently the property lies fallow under county ownership, and the lands are not meeting
RAYMOND T.HIGA,ASLA their agricultural potential. Once sold, the lands are expected to be put to agricultural
SrwoRassocTATE productivity. Therefore, it is assumed that the lands will have a greater potential for
KEV1NMSH1xaWA,ASLA agriculture and applied research once the County auctions the property.
ASSOCIATE
KIMI MIKANr1 YUEN Thank you for your participation in the pre-assessment consultation process.Your letter
AssoclATE and this response will be included in the forthcoming Draft EA.Should you have any
SCOTT ABRIGO questions,please call me at 808.961.3333.
ASSOCIATE
Sincerely,
PER HAWAII
1001 BTSH PSTRE E
1001 BTSFGp STREET
ASH TOWER,SUITE 650
HONOL.ui.u,HAW VI Marissa Furfaro
TEL:(808)531-5631 Planner
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com
cc: Nancy Crawford,County of Hawaii Department of Finance
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HTLo LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 3 10
Hu.o,HAWAI`196720-4262
TEL:(808)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WTLT PA Loop,StiTT 4
WATLUKU,FLAWAII 96793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAX:(808)242-2902
�� W ATlT
19 t9
a a� DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY • COUNTY OF HAWAII
yI�OFHAwp��'ap 345 KEKUANAO'A STREET, SUITE 20 • HILO, HAWAI'I 96720
TELEPHONE (808) 961-8050 • FAX (808) 961-8657
July 11,2006
Ms.Marissa Furfaro
PBR Hawaii
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo,HI 96720
COUNTY OF HAWAII PAAUILO LANDS
PRE-ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CONSULTATION
HAMAKUA,ISLAND OF HAWAII,HAWAII
TAX MAP KEY(3)4-3-009:019 AND 024;4-3-007:001; 4-3-011:001 AND 002
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to comment on the subject Pre-Environmental Assessment
Consultation.
Please be informed that the closest available Department of Water Supply facility near the subject parcels is a
6-inch waterline within Pohakea Mauka Road approximately 4,000 feet from the northwest corner of Tax Map
Key 4-3-011:002. The Department is not allowing any additional services from the existing 4-inch waterline
within Pohakealani Road near the southeast corner of Tax Map Key 4-3-011:002 until extensive water system
improvements are made.
Should you have any questions,please contact Mr.Finn McCall of our Water Resources and Planning Branch at
(808)961-8070,extension 255.
Sincerely yours,
Mil n Pavao,P.E.
M ager
FM:sco
copy- Ms.Nancy Crawford,Deputy Director,Finance Department,County of Hawaii
... 't" brinq_l 19rogre6J...
The Department of Water Supply is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer.To file a complaint of discrimination,write:USDA,Director,Office of Civil
Rights,Room 326-W,Whitten Building,14th and Independence Avenue,SW,Washington DC 20250.9410.Or call(202)720-5964(voice and TDD)
1 9
August 4,2006
L_APE AR HITS Mr.Milton D.Pavao,P.E.,Manager
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE g
F.NVIRONMF.NTAT.STUDIES County of Hawaii
Department of Water Supply
345 Keknana0`a Street,Suite 20
WM.FRANKBRANDT,FASLA Hilo,Hawaii 96720
CHAIRMIV
SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
PRESIDENT Pre-Assessment Consultation
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and 24,4-3-11:01 and 02
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Dear Mr.Pavao:
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT Thank you for your letter dated July 11, 2006 received during the pre-assessment
VINCENTSHIGEKUNI consultation period for the subject Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). We will
VICE PRESIDENT incorporate your comments on your existing facilities in the area into the Draft EA. We
GRANT MURAKAMI,ATCP acknowledge that your department is not allowing any additional services from the
PRINCIPAL existing waterline until extensive water system improvements are made.This project does
not plan to provide any utility upgrades as the lands are expected to remain in agricultural
use.
TOM SCHNELL,ATCP
SENIoRAssocfITE Thank you for your interest and participation in the pre-assessment consultation process.
RAYMOND T.HiGA,ASLA Your letter and this response will be included in the forthcoming Draft EA.Should you
SrwoR ASSOCIATE have any questions,please call me at 808.961.3333.
KEVIN NISHIK9WA,ASLA
ASSOCIATE Sincerely,
KIMI MIKAMT YUEN
AssoclATE PBR HAWAII
SCOTT f,ATE �
ASSOCcIATE /A"
Marissa Furfaro
Planner
HONOLULUOFFICE cc: Nancy Crawford,County of Hawaii Department of Finance
1001 BTSHGPSTREET
ASH TOWER,SUITE 650
HoNoi ui.u,HAW Ai`i 968133484
TEL:(908)521-5631
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HTLo LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 3 10
HILo,HAWAI`196720-4262
TEL:(R08)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WILT PA Loop,STTiTT 4
WAILUKU,FLAWAII 96793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAx:(808)242-2902
dt-4 OF'V
OV• .
Harry Kim .? Lawrence K.Mahuna
Mayor Police Chief
r�rE oF•N►�'
Harry S.Kubojiri
Deputy Police Chief
County of Hawaii
POLICE DEPARTMENT
349 Kapiolani Street •Hilo,Hawaii 96720-3998
(808)935-3311 Fax(808)961-8869
July 6, 2006
Ms. Marissa Furfaro, Planner
PBR Hawaii
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4262
Dear Ms. Furfaro:
SUBJECT: HAWAII COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
PA'AUILO LANDS— PRE-CONSULTATION
TMKS: (3) 4-3-09:19 & 24, 4-3-07:01, 4-3-11:01 & 02
Staff, upon visiting the proposed site, recommends that the one-lane roadway be
kept cleared of overgrown brush, especially in several areas with sharp curves,
to allow sufficient sight distance to handle the expected increase in traffic with the
proposed sale of properties.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
{M . b 11
AMES M. DAY
ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF
AREA I OPERATIONS
EWR:Ili
cc: Ms. Nancy Crawford, County of Hawaii Department of Finance
"Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer"
1 9
August 4,2006
LAND ARCHr E Mr.James M.Day
LANDSCAPE ARCHTTECTURE /,-1�
F.NVIRONMF.NTAi.STUDIES Assistant Police Chief
County of Hawaii
Police Department
WM.FRANKBRANDT,FASLA 349 Kapi`olani Street
CHAIRM Y Hilo,Hawaii 96720-3998
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
PRESIDENT SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
Pre-Assessment Consultation
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and 24,4-3-11:01 and 02
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
RusSELL Y.J.CIIUNG,ASLA Dear Assistant Chief Day:
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
VINCENT SHIGEKUNI Thank you for your letter dated July 6, 2006 received during the pre-assessment
VICE PRESIDENT consultation period for the subject Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). We
GRANT MURAKAMI,ATOP acknowledge that in order to maintain sufficient sight distance you recommend that the
PRINCIPAL one-lane roadway be kept cleared of overgrown brush, especially in several areas with
sharp curves. The County will be selling some of the roadways associated with various
parcels, therefore relinquishing their maintenance responsibilities. Purchasers will be
TOM SCHNELL,ATOP made aware of their responsibility to maintain site distances along their roadways.
SENLoR AssocEiTE
RAYMOND T.HIGA,ASLA Thank you for your participation in the pre-assessment consultation process.Your letter
SENIoR Assoc IATE and this response will be included in the forthcoming Draft EA.Should you have any
KEVINMSHIKAWA,ASLA questions,please call me at 808.9613333.
ASSOCIATE
KIMI MIKAMT YUEN Sincerely,
ASSOCIATE
SCOTT ABRIGO PBR HAWAII
ASSOCIATE
Marissa Furfaro
Planner
HONOLULU OFFICE
1001 BISHOPSTREET cc: Nancy Crawford,County of Hawaii Department of Finance
ASH ToWT:R,SUITE 650
HoNoi ui.u,HAW VI 968133484
TEL:(908)521-5631
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HILo LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 3 10
HE.o,HAWA1'196720-4262
TEL:(R08)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WILT PA Loop,StTiTT 4
WAILUKU,FLAWAII 96793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAX:(808)242-2902
��,zr os,haq.
Harry Kim W Darryl J. Oliveira
Mayor Fire Chief
:;•.,., o' � Desmond K.Wery
qrE oi'ni'�
Deputy Fire Chief
CCouutp of 'abiaf`i
FIRE DEPARTMENT
25 Aupuni Street • Suite 103 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720
(808)961-8297 • Fax(808)961-8296
July 7, 2006
Ms. Marissa Furfaro
PBR HAWAII
101 Aupuni Street
Suite 310
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CONSULTATION
Hawaii County Department of Finance
Pa'auilo Lands—Pre-Consultation
We have no comments to offer at this time in reference to the above-mentioned Pre-
Environmental Assessment Consultation.
/AeLO VEIRA
Fire Chief
DJO:Ipc
�p11 COGi
a
E
Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity/Provider and Employer.
1 9
August 4,2006
L_APE AR HrTE Mr.D•�m71 Oliveira,Fire Chief
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE '�'�J
F.NVIRONMF.NTAT.STUDIES County of Hawaii
Fire Department
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 103
WM.FRANKBRANDT,FASLA Hilo,Hawaii 96720
CHAIRMIY
SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
PRESIDENT Pre-Assessment Consultation
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and 24,4-3-11:01 and 02
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Dear Chief Oliveira:
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT Thank you for your letter dated July 7, 2006 received during the pre-assessment
VINCENTSHIGEKUNI consultation period for the subject Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). We
VICE PRESIDENT acknowledge that you have no comments to offer at this time.
GRANT MURAKAMI,ATOP
PRINCIPAL Thank you for your participation in the pre-assessment consultation process.Your letter
and this response will be included in the forthcoming Draft EA. Should you have any
questions,please call me at 808.9613333.
TOM SCHNELL,ATCP
SENPoenssocfITE Sincerely,
RAYMOND T.HTGA,ASLA
SrwoRASsociATR PBR HAWAII
KEVIN AssociATE ASLA .1
ASSOCIATE
KTMT MIKAMT YUEN
AssoclATE Marissa Furfaro
SCOTT ABRIGO Planner
ASSOCIATE
cc: Nancy Crawford,County of Hawai`i Department of Finance
HONOLULU OFFICE
1001 BTSHOPSTREET
ASH TOWER,SUITE 650
HoNoi ui.u,HAW Ai`1 968133484
TEL:(908)521-5631
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HTLo LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 3 10
HiLo,HAWA1'196720-4262
TEL:(R08)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WILT PA Loop,STTiTT 4
WAILUKU,RAWAI I96793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAX:(808)242-2902
Appendix E
Draft Environmental Assessment
Public Review
Comment and Response Letters
LINDA LINGLE F ANTHONY J.H.CHING
GOVERNOR
<Pj Bess y EXECUTIVE OFFICER
j
STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS,ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT&TOURISM
LAND USE COMMISSION
P.O.Box 2359
Honolulu,Hawaii 96804-2359
Telephone:808-587-3822
Fax:808-587-3827
September 11, 2006
Ms.Marisa Furfaro
PBR Hawaii
Hilo Lagoon Center
101 Aupuni Street,Suite 310
Hilo,Hawaii 96720
Dear Ms.Furfaro:
Subject: Draft Environmental Assessment
Pa'auilo Lands
TMKs: 4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19, 4-3-09:24,4-3-11:01, and 4-3-11:02
Pa'auilo,Hamakua,Hawaii
We have reviewed the Draft Environmental Assessment forwarded by your transmittal
dated August 18, 2006.
Pursuant to§205-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and given the location, scope, and nature
of the proposed activity,we have no further comments to offer at this time.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the subject project. Please do not hesitate
to contact me at 587-3822 should you require clarification or any further assistance.
Sincerely,
ANTHONY J. ING
Executive Officer
1 9
September 13, 2006
LAND PLANNING
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Mr. Anthony J. H. Ching,Executive Officer
F.NVIRONMF.NTAT.STUDIES
State of Hawaii
Department of Business,Economic Development&Tourism
Land Use Commission
WM.FRANKBRANDT,FASLA P.O. Box 2359
CHAIRM Y
Honolulu,Hawaii 96804-2359
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
PRESIDENT
SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
EXEcunw VICE-PRESIDENT
RusSELL Y.J.CIrUNG,ASLA Dear Mr. Ching:
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
VINCENTSHIGEKUNI Thank you for your letter dated September 11, 2006 commenting on the subject
VICE PRESIDENT
Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). We acknowledge that you have no further
GRANT MURAKAMI,ATCP comments to offer at this time.
PRINCIPAL
We appreciate your interest and participation in the public review phase of the
TOM SCHNELL,ATOP Draft EA. Your letter, along with this response,will be reproduced in the
SENIoRAssocuTE forthcoming Final EA. Should you have any questions,please do not hesitate to
RAYMOND T.HTGA,ASLA me at 961.3333.
SENIOR ASSOCTATF.
KEVIN NISHIKAWA,ASLA Sincerely,
ASSOCIATE 7777
KTMT MIKANIT YUEN PBR HAWAII
ASSOCIATE
SCOTT cf,ATE
ASSOCIATE
Mari ssa Furfaro
Planner
HONOLULU OFFICE cc: Nancy Crawford, County of Hawaii Department of Finance
1001 BTSHOPSTREET
ASH TOWER,SUITE 650
HoNDi.ui.u,HAW VI 968133484
TEL:(908)521-5631
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HTLD LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 3 10
Hn.o,HAWAI`196720-4262
TEL:(R08)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WTLT PA Loop,StTiTT 4
WAILUKU,FLSWAI'196793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAX:(808)242-2902
PHONE (808) 594-1888 °e w;H, FAX(808)594-1865
5 �
STATE OF HAWAII
OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS
711 KAPI'OLANI BOULEVARD,SUITE 500
HONOLULU,HAWAII 96813
HRD06/2509C
September 26,2006
Marissa Furfaro
PBR Hawaii
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
RE: Draft Environmental Impact Statement(DEA)for the Proposed Sale of Hawaii
County Lands,Pa`auilo,Hawaii; TMK 4-3-7:01,4-3-9:10 and 24,4-3-11:01 and 2
Dear Ms.Furfaro,
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs(OHA)is in receipt of your undated request for comments
regarding the proposed sale of Hawaii County land in Pa`auilo. We apologize for the delay in
our response,however, we offer the following comments.
OHA notes that the DEA lacks any type of cultural impact assessment, as required by Act 50,
Session Laws of Hawaii, 2000. At the very least, interviews with cultural practitioners in the
area should be conducted. Our community resource coordinators on Hawaii Island can assist
you with locating suitable interviewees. The Hawaii State Legislature, through Act 50, stated
that"the past failure to require native Hawaiian cultural impact assessments has resulted in the
loss and destruction of many important cultural resources and has interfered with the exercise of
native Hawaiian culture." Because incorporation of a cultural impact assessment into all
environmental assessments is statutorily mandated, OHA requests that the final EA contain such
an analysis.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment. If you have any further questions or concerns please
contact Koa Kaulukukui at(808) 594-0244 or koalanik @oha,=.
Sincerely,
Clyde .Namu`o
Administrator
Marissa Furfaro
September 26, 2006
Page 2
CC: Ms. Nancy Crawford,Deputy Director
County of Hawaii,Finance Department
25 Aupuni Street,Room 118
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Lukela Ruddle
OHA Hilo Office
162 A Baker Avenue
Hilo,HI 96720-4869
Ruby McDonald
OHA Kona Office
75-5706 Hanama PI Suite 107
Kailua Kona,HI 96740
WIPBRHAWAII
&ASSOCIATES INC.
November 8, 2006
W.FRANK BRANDT,FASLA Mr. Clyde W. Namu`o,Administrator
Chairman State of Hawal`i
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA Office of Hawaiian Affairs
President 711 Kapi`olam Boulevard,Suite 500
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA Honolulu,Hawai`i 96813
Executive Vice-President
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,FASLA
Executive Vice-President SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
VINCENT SHIGEKUNI TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Vice-President
Dear Mr. Namu`o:
GRANT T.MURAKAMI,AICP
Principal
Thank you for your letter dated September 26, 2006 commenting on the subject
TOM SCHNELL,AICP Draft Environmental Assessment(EA).
Senior Associate
RAYMOND T.HIGA,ASLA While preparing the Draft EA,we did consult the community resource
Senior Associate
coordinator of your Hilo Office. At that time, no suitable interviewees were
KEVIN K.NISHIKAWA,ASLA located.We have since contacted your Hilo Office again. We have also made
Associate contact with the Pa`auilo Seniors Group, of which we will interview two
KIMIMIKAMIYUEN,LEED'AP members.We will be including an assessment of cultural resources in the
Associate forthcoming Final EA.
SCOTT ALIKA ABRIGO
Associate We appreciate your interest and participation in the public review phase of the
SCOTT MURAKAMI,ASLA Draft EA. Your letter, along with this response,will be reproduced in the
Associate forthcoming Final EA. Should you have any questions,please do not hesitate to
me at 961.3333.
Sincerely,
PBR HAWAII
HONOLULU OFFICE ��
1001 Bishop Street
ASB Tower,Suite 650
Honolulu,Hawa?i96813-3484
Tel:(808)521-5631 Marlssa Furfaro
Fax:(808)523-1402 Planner
E-mail:sysadmin @pbrhawaii.com
HILO OFFICE cc: Nancy Crawford,County of Hawai`i Department of Finance
101 Aupuni Street
Hilo Lagoon Center,Suite 310
Hilo,Hawaii 96720-4262
Tel:(808)961-3333
Fax:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 Wili Pa Loop,Suite 4
Wailuku,Hawaii%793-1271
Tel:(808)242-2878
PLANNING • LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE • ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES • ENTITLEMENTS / PERMITTING GRAPHIC DESIGN
4OJNZY OF�,!L
Harry Kim +; / Barbara Bell
Mayor :__ : r Director
+r''F OF'M Nelson Ho
Deputy Director
Guitty of tt ttit
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
25 Aupuni Street,Room 210•Hilo,Hawaii 96720-4252
(808)961-8083•Fax(808)961-8086
August 28,2006
Ms. Marissa Furfaro
PBR Hawaii
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo,HI 96720
Re: Pa'auilo Lands
Draft Environmental Assessment
TMK: (3)4-3-7:01,4-3-9:19 and 24 and 4-3-11:01 and 2
Dear Ms. Furfaro,
We have no comments on this project.
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to offer our input.
4iGba�raell
DIRECTOR
cc: OEQC
Nancy Crawford,Finance Department
1 9
August 31, 2006
LAND PLANNING Barbara LANDSCAPEARCHITECTURE MS. Barbara Dell, Director
F.NVTRONMF.NTAT.STUDIES
County of Hawaii
Department of Environmental Management
25 Aupum Street,Room 210
WM.FRANKBRANDT,FASLA Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
CHAIRMIY
THOMAS S.WTTTEN,ASLA SUBJECT: Pa`aullo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
PRESIDENT
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
EXECUTNE VICE-PRESIDENT
Dear Ms. Bell:
RUSSELL Y.J.CITUNG,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Thank you for your letter dated August 28, 2006 commenting on the subject Draft
VINCENTSHIGEKUNI Environmental Assessment(EA). We acknowledge that you have no comments to
VICE PRESIDENT
offer on the subject project.
GRANT MURAKAMT,ATCP
PRINCIPAL
We appreciate your interest and participation in the public review phase of the
Draft EA. Your letter, along with this response,will be reproduced in the
TOM SCHNELL,ATCP forthcoming Final EA. Should you have any questions,please do not hesitate to
SENIoRAssocfiTE me at 961.3333.
RAYMOND T.HTGA,ASLA
SENIOR ASSOCIATF Sincerely,
KEVIN NISHIK9WA,ASLA
AssociATE PBR HAWAII
KTMT MTKAMT
ASSOCIATE YUEN APO
SCOTT ABRIGO
AssoclATE Marissa Furfaro
Planner
cc: Nancy Crawford, County of Hawaii Department of Finance
HONOLULU OFFICE
1001 BTSHOPSTREET
ASH ToNER,SUITE 650
HoNoi ui.u,HAW Ai`1 968133484
TEL:(908)521-5631
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HTLo LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 3 10
Hu.o,HAWA1`196720-4262
TEL:(R08)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WILT PA Loop,StTiTC 4
WATLUKU,ILAWAII 96793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAX:(808)242-2902
NKr Os N'!;b
J
Harry Kim Christopher J.Yuen
Mayor Director
>r b4 Kurokawa,ASLA
LEER®AP
�Vf olutfi of 'afuatt Deputy Director
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720-3043
(808)961-8288 • FAX(808)961-8742
October 2,2006
Ms.Marissa Furfaro,Planner
PBR HAWAII
101 Aupuni St.,Ste. 310
Hilo,HI 96720
Dear Ms. Furfaro:
Subject: Draft Environmental Assessment(DEA)
Proposed Sale of County of Hawaii Lands
TMKs: (3)4-3-009:019 and 024; 4-3-007:001;
and 4-3-011:001 and 002;
Pa'auilo,Hamakua District,Hawaii Island
Thank you for waiting to receive our comments on the above-mentioned DEA. We apologize for
missing your deadline.
First,we would like to clarify the terminology used on p. 9 regarding"parcels." There are only
five(S)tax map key parcels involved in the proposed sale. There are also nine(9)underlying
grants on TMKs:4-3-09:19 and 24 which are"lots of record"that could receive separate tax map
keys.
The DEA discusses"potential impacts and mitigation measures for the possibility that the
maximum allowable farm dwellings are built."(2.3 Potential Uses,p.9) Estimation of the
maximum allowable farm dwellings that could be built on the 740 acres of County land is a key
estimate from which all other potential impacts are derived in the DEA. We disagree with the
estimate of 22 maximum possible farm dwellings used throughout the document and believe that
44 farm dwellings are a better estimate.
Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Ms.Marissa Furfaro
Page 2
October 2, 2006
Estimate of Maximum Possible Farm Dwellings
We base our estimates on the following:
1. The DEA clearly expresses the intention of consolidating and re-subdividing any
underlying grants. There appears to be the potential for 21 separate parcels when the
underlying grants are counted.
2. However,the DEA does not include an estimate of the potential parcels that could be
created on existing A-5a zoning. A-5a zoning would enable subdivision of 58 acres on
TMK: 4-3-009:019 into an additional 11 parcels and 16 additional parcels on the
estimated 92.5 acres of A-5a in the southwest corner of TMK: 4-3-11:02 (p. 42). The
number of parcels that could be created is an estimate,because actual conditions on the
ground will ultimately determine road locations and lot sizes.
3. Taking into account the potential subdividing of underlying grants and the potential
parcels in A-5a zoning,we estimate a minimum of 44 farm dwellings,based on one
dwelling per parcel.
Additional Farm Dwellings
Forty-four(44) farm dwellings on forty-four parcels is considered to be a minimum estimate,
because if legitimate agricultural use is being made of the lands,additional farm dwellings can be
approved by the Planning Department with the approval of a farm plan.The DEA incorrectly
states on p. 9 that,"the landowner must be able to prove at least eight(8)hours of labor on the
property per week related to agriculture"in order to be approved for a farm dwelling. The eight
(8)hour agricultural labor guideline is used in assessing whether an additional farm dwelling will
be permitted based on the farm plan that is submitted. In other words,one farm dwelling is
permitted per agricultural parcel,without proof of any agricultural use or plan. Only the need for
more than one farm dwelling on a parcel must be demonstrated via a farm plan which estimates
the number of agricultural labor/week involved. Based on current practices,it is not
unreasonable to expect second farm dwellings to be applied for once the parcels are created.
Public Rights-of-Way
The DEA states on p. 30 that government ownership of roads and jeep trails shown on the maps
will not be kept in government ownership(Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures). Prior to
sale of these properties,public rights-of-way which should be retained need to be clearly
identified.
Further,the DEA on p. 28 recommends that the county include in the sales agreements language
requiring the purchaser(s)to preserve the access currently used by the CTAHR agricultural
research station for CTAHR's continued use. We recommend that the access preservation
requirement include unrestricted use by state and county agencies.
Ms.Marissa Furfaro
Page 3
October 2, 2006
Potential Impacts to Public Services and Infrastructure
At the average household size of 2.99, approximately 132 persons could be minimally added to
the population of Pa'auilo, given our estimate of the minimum number of farm dwellings that
could be developed once the Pa'auilo Lands are sold. Anticipated impacts to public services and
infrastructure, such as roads,solid waste disposal, schools, electrical services,public safety,etc.
in the DEA should be revised to reflect the greater number of potential dwellings.
While a case can be made that sale of the property in and of itself will not result in direct impacts
to public services and infrastructure,the EA should address the potential impacts that can be
expected from the disposition of the Pa'auilo Lands presently in public ownership. Based on the
anticipated impacts,conditions can and should be placed on future purchasers that will ensure
that the public's interests are protected.
Again,thank you for your patience in waiting for our comments on the Draft EA. Should you
have questions,please contact Deborah Chang of my staff at 961-8288,Ext. 254.
Sincerely,
f
CHRISTO/PHER
Planning Director
DLC:cd
P:\public\wpwin 60\Deborah\Comments\DEAS alebyCountyPaauilo.doc
cc: Nancy Crawford,Deputy Director,Dept. of Finance
WIPBRHAWAII
&ASSOCIATES INC.
W.FRANK BRANDT,FASLA
Chairman December 8, 2006
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
President Mr. Christopher J. Yuen, Director
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA County of Hawaii
Executive Vice-President Planning Department
1
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,FASLA 01 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Executive Vice-President Hilo, Hawaii 96720-3043
VINCENTSHIGEKUNI SUBJECT: Pa`aullo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
Vice-President
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
GRANT T.MURAKAMI,AICP
Principal
Dear Mr. Yuen:
TOM SCHNELL,AICP
Senior Associate
Thank you for your letter dated October 2, 2006 commenting on the subject Draft
RAYMOND T HIGA,ASLA Environmental Assessment(EA).We offer the following responses in the
Senior Associate
respective order of your comments:
KEVIN K.NISHIKAWA,ASLA
Associate 1. The Final EA will reflect that the nine(9)underlying grants on TMKS 4-3-
KIMI MIKAMI YUEN,LEED'AP 09:19 and 24 are"lots of record that could receive separate tax map keys."We
Associate will remove any reference to these nine(9)lots of record as "parcels."
SCOTT ALIKA ABRIGO
Associate 2. We appreciate your explanation of your estimate of maximum possible farm
SCOTT MURAKAMI,ASLA dwellings.
Associate
a. Tt was not our objective to state that there is intent to consolidate and re-
subdivide any underlying grants. The intent was to disclose that it is a
possibility and the right of a future landowner, whether or not they choose
to pursue it.
HONOLULU OFFICE The Final EA will reflect that parcel 4-3-11:02 recently underwent
1001 Bishop Street subdivision(SUB-06-000427, approved on December 4, 2006). Therefore,
ASB Tower,Suite 650
Honolulu,Hawa?i%813-3484 the Final EA will state that there are 5 lots on parcel 4-3-11:02, instead of
Fax:(8 08)523-140 2 the nine 9 underlying g rants.
E-mail:sysadmin @pbrhawaii.com
b. The Final EA will include an estimate of the potential parcels that could
H ICE
101 Aupuni Street be created based upon existing zonin g, assuming approval under the
Hilo Lagoon Center,Suite 310 formal subdivision process.
Hilo,HawaPi 96720-4262
Tel:(808)961-3333
Fax:(808)961-4989 For clarification,your letter states that there are 58 acres of A-5a zoning
WAILUKU OFFICE on TMK 4-3-09:19, which is correct. However, there are not 92.5 acres of
1787 Wili Pi Loop,Suite 4 A-5a zoning on TMK 4-3-11:02. There are approximately 34.5 acres of A-
Wl:(808 242-2 196793-1271 5a zoning n parcel 4-3-11:02 for a total of 92.5 acres of A-5a on the
Tel:(808)242-2878 g P"
entire project site.
PLANNING - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE • ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES • ENTITLEMENTS / PERMITTING • GRAPHIC DESIGN
December 8, 2006
Letter to Mr. Christopher Yuen
Subject: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment; TMKs (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and
24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Page 2 of 5
1 would like to further clarify that the portion of TMK 4-3-09:19 zoned A-5a has been
consolidated and re-subdivided based on underlying grants (SUB-05-000130, approved
on August 10, 2005). Therefore, there are currently 3 lots of A-5a zoning on TMK 4-3-
09:19.
c. There are two (2) different scenarios from which to calculate the maximum possible farm
dwellings:
Scenario 1: Underlying Grants
The project site comprises five(5)parcels.Within those five (5)parcels there are six (6)
underlying grants on TMK 4-3-09:19 and four(4)underlying grants on TMK 4-3-09:24,
which are all "lots of record" (SUB-05-000130, approved on August 10, 2005) that could
receive separate tax map keys in the future (please refer to Figure 2).
There are also nine(9)underlying grants on TMK 4-3-11:02. However, that parcel was
recently subdivided(Sub-06-000427, approved on December 4, 2006)into five(5)lots
(Lot 19, 20, 21, Tract 1, and Grant 4968).
Counting the existing parcels,lots of record, and the lots that were recently created on
TMK 4-3-11:02, there is a potential for up to 17 separate parcels and/or lots within the
project area:
Table 1: Number of Potential Lots Based on Underlying Grants
TMK Number Potential Number of Lots
4-3-07:01 1
4-3-09:19 6
4-3-09:24 4
4-3-11:01 1
4-3-11:02 5
Total: 17
December 8, 2006
Letter to Mr. Christopher Yuen
Subject: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment; TMKs (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and
24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Page 3 of 5
Scenario 2: Existing Zoning
No further subdivision is possible on TMK 4-3-07:01 based on its current A-40a zoning.
There are currently three(3) "lots of record"that are zoned A-5a on TMK 4-3-09:19:
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 15 is 18.551 acres. This could allow for a
subdivision of three(3)lots
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 16 is 20.231 acres. This could allow for a
subdivision of four(4) lots.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 17 is 19.353 acres. This could allow for a
subdivision of three(3)lots.
There are currently three(3) "lots of record"that are zoned A-40a zoning on TMK 4-3-
09:19:
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 8 is 16.224 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 9 is 16.307 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:19,Lot 10 is 15.334 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
There are currently four(4) "lots of record" that are zoned A-40a on TMK 4-3-09:24:
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:24,Lot 1 is 23.337 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:24,Lot 2 is 20.191 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:24,Lot 3 is 20.699 acres. No further subdivision is
possible under its current A-40a zoning.
• Portion of TMK 4-3-09:24,Lot A is 84.454 acres. This could allow for a
subdivision of two(2)lots under its current A-40a zoning.
No further subdivision is possible on TMK 4-3-11:01 based on its current A-40a zoning.
TMK 4-3-11:02 is currently split-zoned with approximately 34.5 acres zoned A-5a and
approximately 271.775 acres zoned A-40a. Lot 19-A (103.977 acres) could be subdivided
into two (2)lots. No further subdivision is possible on Lots 20, 21, and Grant 4968. The
portion of Tract 1 that is zoned A-5a could be subdivided into six(6)lots on the A-5a
portion, creating a seventh lot on the remainder of Tract 1,for a total of 12 lots.
December 8, 2006
Letter to Mr. Christopher Yuen
Subject: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment; TMKs (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and
24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Page 4 of 5
Therefore, the potential number of lots and allowable farm dwellings based on current
zoning (assuming approval under the formal subdivision process) is 32 as demonstrated
below:
Table 2: Number of Potential Lots Based on Current Zoning
TMK Number Potential Number of Lots
4-3-07:01 1
4-3-09:19 13
4-3-09:24 5
4-3-11:01 1
4-3-11:02 12
Total: 32
After reviewing the two scenarios,it can be determined that Scenario 2 provides the
highest number of potential lots/parcels. It should be noted that these scenarios are only
possible if a future subdivision action is in full compliance with the County of Hawaii
subdivision and zoning codes.
According to the Hawaii County Planning Department, one(1)farm dwelling is
permitted per agricultural parcel without proof of any agricultural use or plan. Thus,
using the highest yielding scenario, there is a potential for 32 farm dwellings on the
Pa`auilo Lands once they are sold. However, it should be emphasized that sale of the
Pa`auilo Lands is not proposing that 32 farm dwellings be built, it is simply a statement
of the maximum number of farm dwellings allowed based on current zoning and
underlying grants. Therefore, the potential impacts and mitigation measures in the
forthcoming Final EA will be based on the potential for 32 farm dwellings.
We further understand that additional farm dwellings may be permitted on the parcels
and/or lots if a Farm Plan, which demonstrates the number of agricultural labor hours per
week,is submitted and approved by the Hawai`i County Planning Department. This
requirement will help to ensure that any additional farm dwellings constructed are related
to agriculture and thus will perpetuate agriculture on the Pa`auilo Lands.
3. The Final EA will be revised to reflect that the first dwelling on each of the 32 potential
parcels may be a single-family dwelling (without proof of agricultural use or plan).
Further, the Final EA will state that if legitimate agricultural use is being made of the
lands, additional farm dwellings can be approved by the Planning Department with the
approval of a Farm Plan,which needs to estimate the number of agricultural labor
hours/week involved.
December 8, 2006
Letter to Mr. Christopher Yuen
Subject: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment; TMKs (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and
24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Page 5 of 5
4. We had previously stated in our Draft EA that portions of the government roads would be
sold. However,the County Department of Finance has determined that all government
roads (real or 'paper') will be retained. The Department of Finance will also encumber
some of the parcels with easements, which will allow the County to impose public access
over those easements should it become practical in the future.
The access route that CTHAR is currently using traverses both County property and
private property. The County only has control over the County-owned portion of the
access. The County has determined that a County easement will be retained on this road
through the subject properties. This will allow for the possibility of public use if the road
section ever becomes publicly accessible.
5. At the average household size of 2.99 (and the revised dwelling unit calculation of 32
dwellings), approximately 97 persons could be added to the population of Pa`auilo. The
forthcoming Final EA will be revised to reflect the greater number of potential dwellings
and residents and discuss the potential impacts to public services and infrastructure.
We appreciate your interest and participation in the public review phase of the Draft EA. Your
letter, along with this response,will be reproduced in the forthcoming Final EA. Should you
have any questions,please do not hesitate to me at 961.3333.
Sincerely,
PBR HAWAII
A�A��Marissa Furfaro
Planner
cc: Nancy Crawford, County of Hawaii Department of Finance
DE W A re.,r
pyt1 f G�A�a
19 19
o Q DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY • COUNTY OF HAWAII
yl�otit W611'ap 345 KEKDANAO'A STREET, SUITE 20 • HILO, HAWAII 96720
TELEPHONE (808) 961-8050 • FAX (808) 961-8657
September 18,2006
PBR Hawaii
Hilo Lagoon Center
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo,HI 96720
PAAUILO LANDS
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
HAMAKUA,ISLAND OF HAWAII,HAWAII
TAX MAP KEY(3)4-3-007:001,4-3-009:019,AND 024,4-3-011:001 AND 002
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to comment on the subject Draft Environmental
Assessment. We have no additional comments to provide at this time.
Should there be any questions,please contact Mr. Finn McCall of our Water Resources and Planning
Branch at 961-8070,extension 255.
Si ere yours,
Mi on . Pavao,P.E.
M ag r
FM:sco
copy- State of Hawaii, Office of Environmental Quality Control
County of Hawaii, Department of Finance
... Water bPingj progPei5...
The Department of Water Supply is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer.To file a complaint of discrimination,write:USDA,Director,Office of Civil
Rights,Room 326-W,Whitten Building,14th and Independence Avenue,SW,Washington DC 20250-9410.Or call(202)720-5964(voice and TDD)
1 9
September 25, 2006
LAND PL-INNING r
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Mr. Milton D. Pavao, P.E., Manager
F.NVIRONMF.NTAT.STUDIES
County of Hawaii
Department of Water Supply
345 Kekuanao`a Street, Suite 20
WM.FRANKBRANDT,FASLA Hilo,Hawai`i 96720
CHAIRMIY
THOMAS S.WTTTEN,ASLA SUBJECT: Pa`aullo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
PRESIDENT
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
EXECUTNE VICE-PRESIDENT
Dear Mr. Pavao:
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Thank you for your letter dated September 18, 2006 commenting on the subject
VINCENTSHIGEKUNI Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). We acknowledge that you have no
VICE PRESIDENT
additional comments to offer on the subject project.
GRANT MURAKAMT,ATCP
PRINCIPAL
We appreciate your interest and participation in the public review phase of the
Draft EA. Your letter, along with this response,will be reproduced in the
TOM SCHNELL,ATCP forthcoming Final EA. Should you have any questions,please do not hesitate to
SENIoRAssocfiTE me at 961.3333.
RAYMOND T.HTGA,ASLA
SENIOR ASSOCIATF Sincerely,
KEVIN NISHIK9WA,ASLA
AssociATE PBR HAWAII
KTMT MTKAMT
ASSOCIATE YUEN APO
SCOTT ABRIGO
AssoclATE Marissa Furfaro
Planner
cc: Nancy Crawford, County of Hawaii Department of Finance
HONOLULU OFFICE
1001 BTSHOPSTREET
ASH ToNER,SUITE 650
HoNoi ui.u,HAW Ai`1 968133484
TEL:(908)521-5631
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HTLo LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 3 10
H1Lo,HAWAI`196720-4262
TEL:(R08)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WTLT PA Loop,StTiTC 4
WAILUKU,FLAWAII 96793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAX:(808)242-2902
Harry Kim Darryl J. Oliveira
Mayor Fire Chief
+:;r ••� ; Desmond K.Wery
E O�Nr
Deputy Fire Chief
Couutp of lawai`i
FIRE DEPARTMENT
25 Aupuni Street • Suite 103 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720
(808)961-8297 • Fax(808)961-8296
August 31, 2006
Attention: Ms. Marissa Furfaro
PBR Hawaii
Hilo Lagoon Center
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo,Hawaii 96720
RE: Draft Environmental Assessment for Pa auilo Lands, Hamakua
TMK: (3) 4-3-7:01, 4-3-9:19 and 24 and 4-3-11:01 and 2
In regards to the above-mentioned draft environmental assessment we offer the following response:
Fire apparatus access roads shall be in accordance with UFC Section 10.207:
"Fire Apparatus Access Roads
"See. 10.207. (a) General. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in
accordance with the provisions of this section.
"(b) Where Required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be required for every building hereafter
constructed when any portion of an exterior wall of the first story is located more than 150 feet from fire
department vehicle access as measured by an unobstructed route around the exterior of the building. —
"EXCEPTIONS: 1. When buildings are completely protected with an approved automatic
fire sprinkler system, the provisions of this section may be modified.
"2. When access roadways cannot be installed due to topography,waterways,
nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions,'the chief may require additional fire protection as
specified in Section 10.301 (b).
I
Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
PBR Hawaii, Marissa Furfaro
August 31, 2006
Page 2
"3. When there are not more than two Group R, Division 3 or Group M Occupancies,the
requirements of this section may be modified,provided, in the opinion of the chief, fire-fighting or rescue
operations would not be impaired.
"More than one fire apparatus road may be required when it is determined by the chief that access
by a single road may be impaired by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other
factors that could limit access.
"For high-piled combustible storage, see Section 81.109.
"(c) Width. The unobstructed width of a fire apparatus access road shall meet the requirements of
the appropriate county jurisdiction.
"(d) Vertical Clearance. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed vertical clearance
of not less than 13 feet 6 inches.
"EXCEPTION: Upon approval vertical clearance may be reduced,provided such
reduction does not impair access by fire apparatus and approved signs are installed and maintained
indicating the established vertical clearance.
"(e) Permissible Modifications. Vertical clearances or widths required by this section may be
increased when,in the opinion of the chief, vertical clearances or widths are not adequate to provide fire
apparatus access.
"(f) Surface. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed
loads of fire apparatus and shall be provided with a surface so as to provide all-weather driving
capabilities." (20 tons)
"(g) Turning Radius. The turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be as approved by
the chief." (45 feet)
"(h) Turnarounds. All dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet in length shall
be provided with approved provisions for the turning around of fire apparatus.
"(i) Bridges. When a bridge is required to be used as access under this section,it shall be
constructed and maintained in accordance with the applicable sections of the Building Code and using
PBR Hawaii, Marissa Furfaro
August 31, 2006
Page 3
designed live loading sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus.
"o) Grade. The gradient for a fire apparatus access road shall not exceed the maximum approved
by the chief." (15%)
"(k) Obstruction. The required width of any fire apparatus access road shall not be obstructed in
any manner,including parking of vehicles. Minimum required widths and clearances established under this
section shall be maintained at all times.
"(1) Signs. When required by the fire chief, approved signs or other approved notices shall be
provided and maintained for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads and prohibit the obstruction
thereof or both."
In that the catchment system will also be used for fire protection, it is recommended that the fire
department connection to the tank be located in an area accessible by fire apparatus.
ARR EIRA
Fire Chief
JCP:lpc
1 9
September 8, 2006
LAND PLANNING
LANDSCAPEARCHITECTURE Mr. Darryl Oliveira,Fire Chief
F.NVIRONMF.NTAT.STUDIES
County of Hawaii
Fire Department
25 Aupum Street, Suite 103
WM.FR6NKBRANDT,FASLA Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
CHAIRM Y
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA SUBJECT: Pa`aullo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
PRESIDENT
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Dear Chief Oliveira:
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,ASLA
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Thank you for your letter dated August 31, 2006 commenting on the subject Draft
VINCENT SHIGEKUNI Environmental Assessment(EA).
VICE PRESIDENT
GRANT Y RAKKAMI,ATCP In speaking with Captain Jack Pacleb of the Fire Prevention Bureau,it was
clarified that the subject project does not propose any construction or
development. Therefore, Captain Pacleb stated that there should be no comments
TOM SCHNELL,ATOP on the subject project.
SENIOR Assocf ITE
RAYMOND T.HTGA,ASLA We appreciate your interest and participation in the public review phase of the
SrwoR AssoclATr: Draft EA. Your letter, along with this response,will be reproduced in the
KEVINMSHIKAWA,ASLA forthcoming Final EA. Should you have any questions,please do not hesitate to
AssocIATE me at 961.3333.
KTMT MIKAMT YUEN
AssoclATE Sincerely,
SCOTT ABRIGO
AssoclATE PBR HAWAII
Apo*N6—
Marissa Furfaro
HONOLULUOFFICE Planner
1001 BTSHGPSTREET
ASH ToNER,SUITE 650
HoNoi.u.u,HAW VI 96813-3484 cc: Nancy Crawford,County of Hawaii Department of Finance
TEL:(908)521-5631
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HILO LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 310
HtLo,HAWA1`196720-4262
TEL:(808)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WTLT PA Loop,StTiTT 4
WAILUKU,FLAWAII 96793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAX:(808)242-2902
J»tY OF N�
Harry Kim Lawrence K.Mahuna
Mayor Police Chief
Harry S.Kubojiri
Deputy Police Chief
County of Hawaii
POLICE DEPARTMENT
349 Kapiolani Street •Hilo,Hawaii 96720-3998
(808)935-3311 Fax(808)961-8869
September 8, 2006
Mr. Marissa Furfaro, Planner
PBR Hawaii
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Mr. Furfaro:
SUBJECT: PA'AUILO LANDS DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
PRE-ASSESSMENT CONSULTATION
TMKs: (3) 4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Staff, upon re-visiting the proposed site and receiving your response letter to our
concerns of maintaining sufficient sight distance on the one-lane roadways, especially in
several areas with sharp curves, is being addressed and has no additional comments.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
M•
JMES M. DAY
SISTANT POLICE CHIEF
AREA I OPERATIONS
EWR:Ili
cc: Nancy Crawford, Deputy Director, Finance Department
°Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer"
1 9
September 13, 2006
LAND PLANNING
LANDSCAPEARCHTTECTURE Mr.James M.Day
F.NVTRONMF.NTAT.STUDIES
Assistant Police Chief
County of Hawai`i
Police Department
WM.FRANKBRANDT,FASLA 349 Kapi`olani Street
CHAIRM Y Hilo,Hawai`i 96720-3998
THOMAS S.WTTTEN,ASLA
PRESIDENT SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
EXEcunw VICE-PRESIDENT
RUSSELL Y.J.CITUNG,ASLA Dear Mr. Day:
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
VINCENTSHIGEKUNI Thank you for your letter dated September 8, 2006 commenting on the subject
VICE PRESIDENT Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). We acknowledge that you have no
GRANT MURAKAMI,ATOP additional comments beyond those offered during the pre-assessment consultation
PRINCIPAL phase of this project. We further acknowledge that you feel your previous
comments are being sufficiently addressed.
TOM SCHNELL,ATCP
SEv[oRAssocfITE We appreciate your interest and participation in the public review phase of the
RAYMOND T.HTGA,ASLA Draft EA. Your letter, along with this response,will be reproduced in the
srwoRassoclATE forthcoming Final EA. Should you have any questions,please do not hesitate to
me at 961.3333.
KEVIN NISHIK9WA,ASLA
ASSOCIATE
KTMT MTKAMT YUEN Sincerely,
ASSOCIATE
SCOTT ABRIGO PBR HAWAII
ASSOCIATE
Mari ssa Furfaro
Planner
HONOLULU OFFICE
1001 BTSHOPSTREET
ASH ToWTR,SUITE 650 cc: Nancy Crawford, County of Hawai`i Department of Finance
HoNoi ui.u,HAW Ai`1 968133484
TEL:(908)521-5631
FAX:(808)523-1402
E-MAIL:sysadmin@pbrhawaii.com
HILO OFFICE
101 AUPUNI STREET
HTLo LAGOON CENTER,SUITE 3 10
Hn.o,HAWAI`196720-4262
TEL:(R08)961-3333
FAX:(808)961-4989
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 WILT PA Loop,STTiTT 4
WATLUKU,nAWAI 196793-1271
TEL:(908)242-2878
FAX:(808)242-2902
Michael Crosson
P O Box 12
Honokaa,HI 96727
September 5,2006
Ms. Marissa Furfaro
PBR HAWAII
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo,HI 96720
Dear Ms. Furfaro,
Subject: Draft Environmental Assessment
Proposed sale of County of Hawaii Lands
Pa'auilo lands,Hamakua District,Hawaii Island
The following comments are offered concerning Draft Environmental Assessment (EA)
for the proposed sale of county lands in Pa'auilo. Although not mentioned in the EA,the
lands are all part of Pa'auilo Homesteads. The comments concern two areas.
The first concern is the inclusion of the government roads in the sale of the properties.
The EA on pages 29 and 30,states that,"Manienie Road eventually degrades into a rough
one-lane extension of itself that is no longer Manienie Road. The extension ends in a
clearing within a eucalyptus grove.........While some of the existing roads and jeep trails
may be utilized by members of the public,essentially the Pa'auilo Lands are landlocked
by other properties that are owned by various private landowners. Once the Pa'auilo
lands are sold,the existing roads and jeep trails that traverse these properties will not
remain in government ownership."
The letter from the County Planning Department specifically asks about the roads. Your
reply is the same as the one in the EA,that the roads are landlocked, so there is no
potential to utilize these roads for public access or recreational purposes in the future as
there is not a contiguous government road that accesses these properties. This is not true.
All of the homestead lots(historically)had a government road for access,as described in
the Historical Documentary Research in Appendix C in the EA. Page 3,Figure 2,Tax
Map Key 3-4-3 shows Manienie road connects to the forest reserve,Pohakealani Road
and another homestead road. Also,on page 14 of Appendix C,is Figure 7. Portion of
Wall's 1915 map of Hamakua Homesteads. This map clearly shows Manienie Road
connecting to Pohakealani road and the Pa'auilo Homestead road. The text in Appendix
C on page 13 describes the same roads as follows: "Figure 7 also shows a network of
four roads serving the homestead lots. The first road extends in and inland-seaward
orientation through the eastern half of the Paaauilo Homesteads-First Series lots. A
second,similarly oriented road(they are describing Manienie Road here)services the
western half of the First Series Lots. The latter road(Manienie Road)connects to two
other roads: a third road that extends through the center of the Pa auilo Second Series lots
and a fourth road(Pohakealani Road)that extends through the center of the Pohakea
Homesteads lots."
The government roads should not be sold. They connect to other roads and to the forest
reserve. They are of great value to the public and will become more valuable as
population increases. They can connect mauka communities as they did years ago.
People in Paauilo homesteads should not have to go all the way down to the belt road and
then all the way back up just to visit someone in the adjoining Pohakea homesteads. As
general policy,the government should not sell roads and remnants that connect
government properties. It is distressing to think that the kind of work in this(EA)results
in a short-sighted recommendation to the county to include these roads in the sale,or sell
other valuable"roads in limbo."The county could sell the roads and use the EA as
justification that the old government roads have no potential for future use.
The second concern is about the alternatives to the proposed action. The county could
consider land exchange actions with Kamehameha Schools that could result in a better
road network in the area. The county has already paved a portion of Water Tank road
and other roads in the area that the EA says are privately owned. These roads are
important accesses for the people who live in the homesteads. It is in the public's interest
to clear ownership issues over these roads. Shouldn't this proposed sale of county owned
lands be in the public's interest? If so,then disposition of the government-owned roads
should be shown to be in the public's interest.
Some of these lands beings sold could be exchanged for KS lands that are traditional
ocean accesses. Some of these lands could be exchanged for the proposed Honokaa
School expansion. Why have no land exchange alternatives been considered in the EA?
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on these matters.
Sincerely,
Pt.1 v
Michael Crosson
Mauka and Makki Access(MAMA)
cc: Nancy Crawford,County of Hawaii Department of Finance
Mr. Harry Kim, County of Hawaii Mayor
Mr. Chris Yuen, County of Hawaii Planning Director
Dr. Fred Holshuch,County of Hawaii,Councilman
WIPBRHAWAII
&ASSOCIATES INC.
W.FRANK BRANDT,FASLA
Chairman December B, 2006
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
President Mr. Michael Crosson
Mauka and Makki Access Committee
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
Executive Vice-President P.O. Box 12
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,FASLA Honoka`a, Hawaii 96727
Executive Vice-President
SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
VINCENTSHIGEKUNI TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Vice-President
GRANT T.MURAKAMI,AICP
Dear Mr. Crosson:
Principal
TOM SCHNELL,AICP Thank you for your letter dated September 5, 2006 commenting on the subject
Senior Associate
Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). We offer the following responses in the
RAYMOND T.HIGA,ASLA respective order of your comments:
Senior Associate
KEVIN K.NISHIKAWA,ASLA 1. We acknowledge, and will make reference of in the Final EA, that the
Associate subject lands are all part of the Pa`auilo Homesteads.
KIMI MIKAMI YUEN,LEED'AP
Associate 2. The County has determined that they will not be selling any existing
SCOTT ALIKA ABRIGO government roads and will encumber some of the subject parcels with
Associate easements, allowing the County to reserve the right to impose public
SCOTT MURAKAMI,ASLA access over those easements should public access become practical in the
Associate future.
To further clarify the Draft EA,parcels 4-3-07:01,4-3-09:24 and 4-3-
11:01 are considered to be `landlocked' because the current physical
access is not wholly-government owned. From the highway, access is
gained via the"Water Tank Road" also known as the"Pa`auilo Mill
HONOLULU OFFICE Road."The portion of"Water Tank Road"that extends directly from the
1001 Bishop Street highway is owned by Kamehameha Schools. Only the upper portion of the
ASB Tower,Suite 650
Honolulu,Hawa?i%813-3484 road,which is within the homestead road system,is public.
Tel:(808)521-5631
Fax:(808)523-1402
E-mail:sysadmin @pbrhawaii.com The Final EA will reflect that the County will retain all homestead roads,
including access across the portion of the"Water Tank Road"that is
H ICE County-owned.
101 1 Aupun Aupuni Street y
Hilo Lagoon Center,Suite 310
Hilo,HawaPi 96720-4262
Tel:(808)961-3333 3. You suggest that crossroads could connect mauka communities as they did
Fax:(808)961-4989 years ago. However, one of the reasons that some of these crossroads no
WAILUKU OFFICE longer exist is that they face wash-out problems due to the amount of
1787 Wili Pa Loop,Suite 4 water that travels across the slopes during rainy periods, making
Tel:(8 w Ha2-2878 793-1271 maintenance costs of these crossroads very high.
Tel:(808)242-2878 � g
PLANNING - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE • ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES • ENTITLEMENTS / PERMITTING • GRAPHIC DESIGN
December 8, 2006
Letter to Mr. Michael Crosson
Subject: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment; TMKs (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and
24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Page 2 of 2
4. As previous stated, the County will not be selling or abandoning any government roads.
This does not,however, mean that a mauka access from Manienie Road to DeLuz Road
will be available. Portions of the homestead roads are"paper roads" and do not actually
exist on the ground.
5. The County has met on several occasions with Kamehameha Schools and they have been
unable to meet a mutually beneficial land exchange agreement. Those discussions also
included the area adjacent to Honoka`a School.
We appreciate your interest and participation in the public review phase of the Draft EA. Your
letter, along with this response,will be reproduced in the forthcoming Final EA. Should you
have any questions,please do not hesitate to me at 961.3333.
Sincerely,
PBR HAWAII
Mari ssa Furfaro
Planner
cc: Nancy Crawford, County of Hawaii Department of Finance
September 18,2006
Ms.Marissa Furfaro
PBR Hawaii
101 Aupuni St., Suite 310
Hilo,Hawaii 96720
The following comments are offered in response to the Draft Environmental Assessment
for the sale of the Paauilo Lands. I am a 20-year resident of the area and I have some
concerns,questions,corrections,and suggestions which I have listed below in accordance
with the section or page of the Draft EA to which the comment relates.
2.3,p. 9, - requirement of 8 hours labor for farm dwellings. That is incorrect;it is not
required for the first farm dwelling unless you are applying for a second farm dwelling.
On these properties the dwelling is not even required to be a farm dwelling since these
lots existed prior to 1976.
p. 15,Class of soils. This suggests that these lands are actually not suitable for
diversified agriculture.
3.4.3,How can these lands be considered prime agricultural land when there is no water?
4.5,With the 90 acres being zoned 5-acre mimimum,there is a potential for 33 lots with
33 dwellings rather than 22, and therefore 99 persons,instead of 66,which would be
significantly more than the projected increase in population of 11.5%. There is also
potential for additional farm dwellings to be built. How can it be said this will not
introduce new residents to the area.
p. 20, 3.8,Avifauna. Amakihi and Apapane have disappeared from Kalopa and Kaapahu
and should be considered endangered in this area. Just because they may not be on the
official list does not mean they should not be protected.
p. 28,preserving the access used by the personnel of CTAHR. Why should this right of
access not be reserved for the public also?
p. 29,Manienie Rd. is a one-lane road,not a two-land road.
p. 30,Why should the roads not remain in public ownership? Roads are a public asset
that should not be sold.
Pages 32-33,Police Protection and Fire Protection. The assertion that the sale will not
increase demand for police and fire and emergency services contradicts the prediction of
an increase in population of 11.5%on page 27,which actually underestimates the
potential increase in population.
p. 38, Why in all this time that the county has owned the land has it not been leased out
for farming or ranching if this is indeed the best use of the land. What is wrong with
open space?
p.43, 7.2, What have been the actual costs of ownership of the lands by the county for
the last 10-12 years? Cost of ownership is repeatedly cited as a reason to sell the lands,
but no evidence of cost is presented.Why have not any uses been attempted, such as
leasing the land,that would have helped defray these"costs". It could be more
advantageous for agriculture users if it were leased or sold in bulk. There would also be
less impact on public services.No quantitative analysis is presented to justify the costs
and benefits to the county of various options for land use.
8.2, There is no reference to the cumulative impact in connection with other projects.
p. 46,(4) If farmers can't make a go of it on the lands makai of the highway with water,
how can they possibly make this land productive since there is no water and the soils are
poor and eroded.
Other alternatives to the sale of these parcels should be considered. It may very well be
that the best use of the land is to have it leased for forestry or ranching as that would have
less impact on the community and would preserve accesses and options for the future.
Since no real financial analysis is included in the Draft Environmental Assessment,it is
difficult to determine what the real benefits and costs of different uses really are.
It appears that the County is being tempted by the possible"windfall"sales revenue that
would result from subdivision and retail sale of the property. The claim that subdivision
is required to maximize agricultural use is not supported by anything in the EA and is
contradicted by the continuing nationwide trend of commercial agriculture ventures using
larger and larger parcels.
Sincerel?son
rs,
tc,:
is Yuen, Planning Director
ncy Crawford,Deputy Director of Finance
WIPBRHAWAII
&ASSOCIATES INC.
W.FRANK BRANDT,FASLA
Chairman December 8, 2006
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
President Mr. Joe Clarkson
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA P.O. BOX 1396
Executive Vice-President Honoka`a, Hawai`i 96727
RUSSELL Y.
Vice-President A SUBJECT: Pa`aullo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
Executive Vice-President
TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
VINCENT SHIGEKUNI
Vice-President
Dear Mr. Clarkson:
GRANT T.MURAKAMI,AICP
Principal
Thank you for your letter dated September 18, 2006 commenting on the subject
TOM SCHNELL,AICP Draft Environmental Assessment(EA).We offer the following responses in the
Senior Associate
respective order of your comments:
RAYMOND T.HIGA,ASLA
Senior Associate 1. We have verified with the Planning Department that the first dwelling is
KEVIN K.NISHIKAWA,ASLA allowed to be a single-family dwelling and the additional dwelling must prove
Associate 8 hours of labor. This will be reflected in the Final EA.
KIMI MIKAMI YUEN,LEED'AP
Associate 2. Although the soil classification of these lands make it seem that the soil is not
SCOTT ALIKA ABRIGO suitable, we know that this is not true since this land was once productive in
Associate sugar cane. Approximately 70% of the lands are suitable for pasture and
SCOTT MURAKAMI,ASLA macadamia nuts as described by the Soil Conservation Service Soil Survey.
Associate Approximately 17% is suitable for woodland and pasture. Therefore, this land
does have agricultural capability.
3. Even without available water supply, the lands are classified as `Prime
Agricultural Land' by the State because of the lands capabilities.
HONOLULU OFFICE 4. As verified with the Planning Department, although a parcel may be zoned for
1001 Bishop Street higher density, that parcel as it currently exists does not allow for more lots
ASB Tower,Suite 650
Honolulu,Hawa?i96813-3484 unless it goes through the formal subdivision process. Given the fact that the
Fax:(8 8)523 140 Department of Water Supply has not plans for extending water lines in the
Fax:(808)523-1402 P" Pp y P g
E-mail:sysadmin @pbrhawaii.com area at this time, and other sub-division requirements,it is unlikely the area
will be sub-divided to its zoned potential. However,the Final EA will reflect a
H 1 AupunICE revised calculation of the number of the potential farm dwelling units allowed
101 Aupuni Street h g
Hilo Lagoon Center,Suite 310 based on current zoning and underlying grants, which is 32.
Hilo,HawaPi 96720-4262
Tel:(808)961-3333
Fax:(808)961-4989 Additional farm dwellings could be built if activity related to agriculture is
WAILUKU OFFICE taking place on the property. This could increase the number of households
1787 Wili Pa Loop,Suite 4 without formal subdivision. However,it would require the submittal and
Wailu08 242-2 196793-1271 approval of a Farm Plan to the Count Planning Department demonstrating
Tel:(808)242-2878 pP y g P" g
the number of agricultural labor hours involved per week.
PLANNING - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE • ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES • ENTITLEMENTS / PERMITTING • GRAPHIC DESIGN
December 8, 2006
Letter to Mr. Joe Clarkson
Subject: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment; TMKs (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and
24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Page 2 of 3
The sale itself will not directly introduce new residents to the area. Since the future use
and owners are not known,we cannot speculate that new residents will be introduced to
the area. However, we can project a potential number of farm dwellings (not including
additional farm dwellings that may be legitimized with a Farm Plan) based on what is
allowed under the current zoning and dwelling allowances.
5. In consulting with the project's avifauna consultant, Amakihi and Apapane have
disappeared in areas below the 3000' elevation because they cannot cope with the malaria
from mosquitoes. Further,neither species are protected under either the State of Hawaii
or federal government.
6. The access route that CTHAR is currently using traverses both County property and
private property. The County only has control over the County-owned portion of the
access. The County will retain an easement across this road through the subject
properties. This will allow for the future public access should it become practical.
However, the County cannot grant public access rights of private lands/roads.
7. The Final EA will reflect that Manienie Road is a one-lane road,not a two-lane road.
8. The County has determined that they will not be selling any existing government roads
and will encumber some of the subject parcels with easements, allowing the County to
reserve the right to impose public access over those easements should public access
become practical in the future.
9. As mentioned in Response 4 above,the EA is not predicting that the population will
increase by 11.5%. Since the future use and owners are not known,we cannot speculate
that new residents will be introduced to the area. The population projection was given as
a scenario for the potential number of people that may populate the area should each
landowner decide to build a dwelling (this number does not include additional farm
dwellings that may be legitimized with an approved Farm Plan). It is neither an absolute
nor a recommendation.
10. The County has considered short- and long-term leases in the past. However, the County
is not equipped to manage large tracts of land. Unlike the State, the County inadvertently
became the owners of this property and wants to return it to better use.
The County is not opposed to open space, but there are maintenance issues that come
along with this property as well as the obligation to be a good neighbor to adjacent
landowners. The County Department of Finance(DOF), who is selling the Pa`auilo
Lands,is also the same County agency that oversees the Public Access, Open Space, and
Natural Resources Preservation Commission. The DOF supports utilizing revenue from
the sale to purchase other,more suitable open space that is more accessible to the greater
community
December 8, 2006
Letter to Mr. Joe Clarkson
Subject: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment; TMKs (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and
24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Page 3 of 3
11. Lost real property tax revenues during County ownership, limited maintenance expenses
and liability are costs of concern to the County. The services and facilities maintenance
which were foregone as a result of the tax default is a greater cost. Recouping the lost tax
revenue through sale of the property will provide funds for land acquisition and to meet
other needs.
The County feels that these lands better serve the public by selling them and putting them
into productive use. Additionally, the County has researched various leasing options and
has determined that it is not feasible.
12. As far as the County is aware, there are no large scale projects in the immediate area that
would contribute to cumulative impacts. The County acknowledges that land is being
sold along the Hamakua coast all the time,but not in any type of large-scale master-
planned developments.
13. As stated in Response 2 above, there are suitable agricultural uses for the property such
as pasture that do not require large scale irrigation.
14. The County has considered other alternatives such as a land exchange with other large
land owners as well as leasing out the property. Discussions with other land owners were
not fruitful and the leasing option was not feasible from a management standpoint.
15. The property is not being proposed for subdivision, nor was it stated anywhere in the EA
that subdivision is required to maximize agricultural use. It was merely suggested that
parcel 4-3-11:02 could be consolidated/re-subdivided by a future landowner based on the
underlying grants/pre-existing lots of record on that parcel. No subdivision is being
recommended for any of the parcels.
We appreciate your interest and participation in the public review phase of the Draft EA. Your
letter, along with this response,will be reproduced in the forthcoming Final EA. Should you
have any questions,please do not hesitate to me at 961.3333.
Sincerely,
PBR HAWAII
Marissa Furfaro
Planner
cc: Nancy Crawford, County of Hawaii Department of Finance
September 15,2006
Ms. Marissa Furfaro
PBR HAWAII
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo,HI 96720
Dear Ms. Furfaro,
Subject: Draft Environmental Assessment
Proposed sale of County of Hawaii Lands
Paaauilo lands,Hamakua District,Hawaii Island
As chair of the Mauka Makai Access Committee I am very concerned about Section 5.0,
Assessment of the Existing Infrastructure regarding the sale of existing roads and jeep
trails that traverse the properties to be sold. The Mauka-Makai Access Committee was
formed as part of the development of Hamakua Agriculture Plan,a 2-year process in
which hundreds of residents of the community identified key issues of importance to the
community and identified goals and objectives to address these issues. A major goal of
the Hamakua Agriculture Plan,a copy of which is enclosed,is to assure access to
Hamakua's ocean and mountains with priority on publicly owned lands and public rights
of way(Section 8.0,pages 27-31)
Towards this end the roads and trails that are within the Paauilo lands should remain
under government ownership and not be sold with the properties. Some of them are not
passable at this time,which should not preclude future development of pedestrian and
equestrian trails or even paved roads. This network of roads was created to link the
Paauilo Homesteads,which are 1500-2500 ft. above the main highway and are shown in
Appendix C,Figure 7, and have cultural, economic,and historic significance. Where
the roads are not passable cane roads and jeep trails referred to in the report have been
used for generations to cross the mountainside to access homestead lands. They serve
as access to the forest reserve,which has traditionally been a place for hunting and the
gathering of native plants.Wild game is a significant part of the diet of many of the local
residents . Hunting also controls the feral pig population and helps reduce destruction of
native plants and forests and agricultural crops. Many ranchers have cattle in different
locations in the homesteads and need to transport water to their stock,check on the
animals,and maintain fences. Police and firefighters need to be able to freely travel
across the homestead lands to provide protection to the area's residents. The high cost of
gasoline makes travel up and down the roads very costly, so crossroads are essential.
Therefore,loss of these homestead roads,trails,and cane roads would adversely affect
the economic welfare, social welfare and cultural practices of the community,which is
identified as a significance criteria in Section 8.2 of the DEA,and would therefore have a
significant negative impact on the community.
We therefore request that the County not relinquish the roads and trails when the lands
are sold and that the County also reserve easements over any existing cane roads or trails
that connect Manienie Road to Antone DeLuz Road, the road to the research station, and
to Pohakealani Road. The road to the research station should remain in government
ownership as it connects or should be connected to homestead roads shown on the map in
Appendix C,Figure 7. The State has in the past fenced and locked the property where
the station was located,but there should be access around the facility to the Forest
Reserve and homestead roads. There may be some other public use for that land in the
future,and it may not be possible or may be prohibitively expensive to reacquire access
once it is gone. We must not be short-sighted by giving up an invaluable and
irreplaceable asset for short-term profit. The overarching principle in the sale of the
lands should be what is best for the greater community. The Hamakua community has
time and time again decried the loss of accesses and has clearly made preservation of
accesses a top priority. For the County to dispose of these accesses would contradict the
community's wishes in the matter.
Sincerely yours,
Karen B. Clarkson,Chair
Mauka Makai Access Committee
P.O. Box 1396
Honokaa,HI 96727
Cc: Christopher Yuen,Planning Director
Nancy Crawford,Deputy Director Finance Department
WIPBRHAWAII
&ASSOCIATES INC.
W.FRANK BRANDT,FASLA
Chairman December B, 2006
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
President Ms. Karen Clarkson, Chair
Mauka and Makki Access Committee
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
Executive Vice-President P.O. Box 1396
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,FASLA Honoka`a, Hawaii 96727
Executive Vice-President
SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
VINCENT SHIGEKUNI TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Vice-President
GRANT T.MURAKAMI,AICP bear Ms. Clarkson:
Principal
TOM SCHNELL,AICP Thank you for your letter dated September 15, 2006 commenting on the subject
Senior Associate
Draft Environmental Assessment(EA).We offer the following responses in the
RAYMOND T.HIGA,ASLA respective order of your comments:
Senior Associate
KEVIN K.NISHIKAWA,ASLA 1. It has been clarified with the County that the network of roads identified
Associate as homestead roads in Appendix C, Figure 7, which traverse the subject
KIMI MIKAMI YUEN,LEED'AP properties,will remain in government ownership. The County has
Associate determined that they will not be selling any existing government roads and
SCOTT ALIKA ABRIGO will encumber some of the subject parcels with easements, allowing the
Associate County to reserve the right to impose public access over those easements
SCOTT MURAKAMI,ASLA should public access become practical in the future.
Associate
2. To the degree that homestead roads have been used to access the State
Forest Reserve they will continue to provide such access. However, the
County cannot grant public access rights over private roads, such as
plantation roads.
HONOLULU OFFICE 3. It is assumed that ranchers in the area who need to transport water to their
1001 Bishop Street stock, check on the animals, and maintain fences need to use vehicles to
ASB Tower,Suite 650
Honolulu,Hawa?i96813-3484 complete such tasks. Therefore, the County assumes that the ranchers are
Fax:(8 8)523 140 currently carrying out these tasks on their own private lands as well as
Fax:(808)523-1402 y �' g p
E-mail:sysadmin @pbrhawaii.com government owned roads that are currently passable by vehicle. As
previously mentioned, the County not be selling any existing government
H ICE
101 1 Aupun Aupuni Street roads and will retain easements that the y y p public may impose access upon
Hilo Lagoon Center,Suite 310 In the future.
Hilo,HawaPi 96720-4262
Tel:(808)961-3333
Fax:(808)961-4989 4. The County acknowledges that the Police and Fire Departments need
WAILUKU OFFICE access to the area. Neither department had substantial comments during
1787 Wili Pa Loop,Suite 4 the Draft EA review period, therefore it is assumed they also had no
Wailu08 242-2 196793-1271 concerns with current access. Additionally, high-level `crossroads' that
Tel:(808)242-2878 y� g
you refer to are currently not accessible by emergency vehicles as some
are impassable.
PLANNING - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE • ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES • ENTITLEMENTS / PERMITTING • GRAPHIC DESIGN
December 8, 2006
Letter to Ms. Karen Clarkson
Subject: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment; TMKs (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and
24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Page 2 of 2
5. To the County's knowledge, there is no data as to how many residents utilize the
`crossroads',therefore it is difficult to determine the impact to community. One reason
that some of these crossroads no longer exist is that they face wash-out due to the amount
of water that travels across the slopes during rainy periods,making maintenance costs of
these crossroads very high.
6. The access route that CTHAR is currently using traverses both County property and
private property. The County only has control over the County-owned portion of the
access. The County has determined that a County easement will be retained on this road
through the subject properties. This will allow for the possibility for public access in the
future should it become practical. Since the County will not preserve the private roads
that traverse the subject property, there will not be continuous public access between
Manienie Road and Antone De Luz Road.
The County Department of Finance(DOF), who is selling the Pa`auilo Lands,is also the same
County agency that oversees the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation
Commission. The DOF supports utilizing revenue from the sale to purchase other,more suitable
open space that is more accessible to the greater community.
We appreciate your interest and participation in the public review phase of the Draft EA. Your
letter, along with this response,will be reproduced in the forthcoming Final EA. Should you
have any questions,please do not hesitate to me at 961.3333.
Sincerely,
PBR HAWAII
Marissa Furfaro
Planner
cc: Nancy Crawford, County of Hawaii Department of Finance
Peter Sparks
46-4083..
6-4083 Kapena Road.
Honokala, NI 96727
22 September 2' :;)6
''s. ',"arissa L-urfaro, F'lanner
PER 1-1A'UAII
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 310
Hilo, Hawaii 905720
Aloha!
Thank you for this opportunity to c mment on the Palauilo Lands
Draft 1".,;vironmental Assessment of August 2006.
T am a mem,,,er of the 11"auka and Vakai Access Committee, or ?•,'A1-:A.
This corif�iittee was formed last year durinb the development of the
amakua 3eneral Plan. The residents of the ITamakua Coact were ,olled
concerrin,,,-, their ideas and hopes for the future of this region. A
hioli priority was placed on reversing the steady decline in pu,.-lic
access to the shoreline and forests, along the coa--t.
The citizens asseyiblee and a shout went up; YAMA is an echo of that shout.
The Assessment is very interesting and informative; obviously a lot
of work went into it. However, as a MAMA member I must point out that
it pays scant attention to an important existing, resource within and
around the project area: the network of roads, public and private,
government and plantation, real and imaginary. Same of these roads exist
only on paper, but the ownership of their rights-of-�::ay by the people
of this County goes .;gay back; oth,".rs were built and -maintained for
nearly a hundred years by the sugar companie5,
Although they may be presently lost in the 0 guinea grass, their
road;.•eds remain as hidden infrastructure of a large investment in
quarrying, crush-l-n.,-, hauling and spreading -.-a-altic gravel. It would
be good for the County to conserve t;ni-
s resource for future _Penerationg-p.
It is too late in t'le Honoka'a area,, Viere .zany cane haul roa-,s .,,rere
stitched right over by the tree-slanting; crews and are now lost and
obliterated by the unnatural forest.
The text of the Assessment briefly mentions Watert-ank 7?LoaO. as
being paved and private and owned by Kamehameha Schools. It implies
that this road will be closed to public access once these lands are
sold. Can this really be true? Have the people that use it daily been
informed of this decision?
I was surprised, considering the overall thoroughness of the Assessment,
to find that Water Tank Road is not even shown on eight of the nine
inal)s in the Assessment, and not even. named. on that ni-ith map, although
the names of other roads have been added. to all of t iiiaps.
The Ready `-,apboolk of East Hawaii i, er-tifies it as Z-alauilo 1",11-1 Road,
and notes t."iat the u��,er half is "partly paved, frequent washouts."
Frarl-.1y, their iiiai--,, ,",oes not i-mlorove much on the Assessment in. accuracy,
as I drove down it last week and found it to be recently repaved,
possibly by the County, and in top shape, although so narrow as to not
rate a center line. To be fair, -ny ?*apbook is merely out of date;
lea%�in- the road out of tie Asress-,ient is an egre,;ious error.
maps;
.kn avowed goal of Kamehameha Schools is to care ibr the future of
ataii's children. 7:o':, better to care for taeir adult needs than to
ensure that they have roads for corarderce and recreation. The County
owns a lot of ex-sugar land. Surely they could figure out a way to
trade some commercially valuable acreage, per1naps close to the
highway, for 'i'later Tank -Road..
A government road may have never been used by automotive traffic;
I live on one such road ..,yself, in Ahualoa; according to local lore
it was once traversed by .,TaSons, but since their extinction is over,,rovn
with gigantic eucalyptus trees. :gut the County and hence the people
still own the right-of-way, and should preserve it for their future
use. Such a right-of-way could be sold by the county for a _'ittance,
merely for the convenience of a new landowner, who would -then put 7,3is
fenceline down the middle of that old bac'ecourGe. Once solO, it
could only be recovered for the people at Great effort and expense.
�
Trlighway 19 along the coast between Hilo and Honokala is a fine road
ut vulnerable to accidents and landslides. There are few alternate
routes available in such eventualities. Itia sure the County has
developed contingency plans for such occurrences; these old higher-
elevation roads and rights-of-way could be factored into such clans.
It would be nice if the County's hopes are realized and these
Palauilo Lands are purchased by bonafide far,,Iers, but +fWrefaz a good
chance that they will end up occupied by E,-entleman farmers with non-farm
income who are mainly interested in building a nice house in a rural
setting. Available rights-of-way for hi'�inC and equestrian purposes
...iL;ht be reatly ap°,reciated. Here in Ahualoa there are lots of horse
'Deo�)le, and a com_aor_ complaint is lack of places to ride.
In conclusion I believe that the County should investiate these
roads more thoroughly with an eye towards preservation of acces, .
Once sold, these roads will never be retained.
I'm sure the County is anxious to divest itself of these properties
and return them to productive use. I share that sentiment. t�ut t1iey
been lying fallow for the past twelve years. Rushing to sell
these roads and rights-of-way without an understanding of their potential
would be a Mistake.
'Nell, if you've read this far, I thank you for your consideration.
Remember, I'm not just an old hippie talking ',ere am an echo
of that shout.
Sparks
-Ulualoa
-7�=off
WIPBRHAWAII
&ASSOCIATES INC.
W.FRANK BRANDT,FASLA
Chairman December 8, 2006
THOMAS S.WITTEN,ASLA
President Mr. Peter Sparks
Mauka and Makki Access Committee
R.STAN DUNCAN,ASLA
Executive Vice-President 46-4083 Kapena Road
RUSSELL Y.J.CHUNG,FASLA Honoka`a, Hawaii 96727
Executive Vice-President
SUBJECT: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment
VINCENT SHIGEKUNI TMKs: (3)4-3-07:01, 4-3-09:19 and 24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Vice-President
GRANT T.MURAKAMI,AICP bear Mr. Sparks:
Principal
TOM SCHNELL,AICP Thank you for your letter dated September 22, 2006 commenting on the subject
Senior Associate
Draft Environmental Assessment(EA).We offer the following responses in the
RAYMOND T.HIGA,ASLA respective order of your comments:
Senior Associate
KEVIN K.NISHIKAWA,ASLA 1. We acknowledge your concern for the network of roads,public and
Associate private, government and plantation and your request that the County
KIMIMIKAMIYUEN,LEED'AP preserve these roads for future generations. The County has determined
Associate that they will not be selling any existing government roads and will
SCOTT ALIKA ABRIGO encumber some of the subject parcels with easements, allowing the
Associate County to reserve the right to impose public access over those easements
SCOTT MURAKAMI,ASLA should public access become practical in the future.
Associate
2. "Water Tank Road": it was not implied anywhere in the EA that this road
will be closed to public access. The portion of the road that extends
directly from the highway to the County property is owned by
Kamehameha Schools. The mauka portion of the road, through the County
property is part of the homestead road system and will be retained as a
HONOLULU OFFICE public road. The reason that the"Water tank Road"was left off the maps
1001 Bishop Street is because it is not wholly owned by the County.
ASB Tower,Suite 650
Honolulu,Hawa?i 96813-3484
Fax:(8 8)523 140 3. The forthcoming Final EA maps will include reference to "Water Tank
Fax:(808)523-1402 g 1�
E-mail:sysadmin @pbrhawaii.com Road".
H 1 AupunICE 4. The Count Department of Finance has had previous discussions with
101 Aupuni Street y 1� 1�
Hilo Lagoon Center,Suite 310 Kamehameha Schools regarding acquisition of the"Water Tank Road"
Hilo,HawaPi 96720-4262
Tel:(808)961-3333 and other land exchanges. However,they were unable to reach a mutually
Fax:(808)961-4989 beneficial agreement.
WAILUKU OFFICE
1787 Wih Pa Loop,Suite 4 5. As mentioned previously, the County has determined that it will retain all
Tel:(8 8 1242-2 i 96793-1271 homestead roads within the project site.
Tel:(808)242-2878 1 .l
PLANNING - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE • ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES • ENTITLEMENTS / PERMITTING • GRAPHIC DESIGN
December 8, 2006
Letter to Mr. Peter Sparks
Subject: Pa`auilo Lands Draft Environmental Assessment; TMKs (3)4-3-07:01,4-3-09:19 and
24, 4-3-11:01 and 02
Page 2 of 2
6. You suggested that the older,higher elevation `roads' and right-of-ways could be utilized
as an alternative route should Highway 19 ever become impassable. While alternative
routes are desirable,most of the `roads' do not connect and they traverse gulches without
any safe crossings. These `roads' would require substantial improvements and ongoing
maintenance that the County is not prepared to provide.
7. We acknowledge your desire to utilize the existing rights-of-way for hiking and
equestrian trails. As previously mentioned, the County will retain easements that they
may impose public access upon in the future.
8. Be assured that the County is not"rushing to sell these roads and rights-of-ways". The
County has been analyzing this property for five (5)years, has had discussions with
Kamehameha Schools about numerous options and has come to the conclusion that the
highest and best use for these lands is to sell them. The County Department of Finance,
who is selling the Pa`auilo Lands,is the same County agency that oversees the Public
Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. The County
Department of Finance supports utilizing revenue from the sale to purchase other,more
suitable open space that is more accessible to the greater community
We appreciate your interest and participation in the public review phase of the Draft EA. Your
letter, along with this response,will be reproduced in the forthcoming Final EA. Should you
have any questions,please do not hesitate to me at 961.3333.
Sincerely,
PBR HAWAII
Marissa Furfaro
Planner
cc: Nancy Crawford, County of Hawaii Department of Finance