Na Pua DEIS Appendix G-Cultural Impact Assessment
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DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT APPENDIX G CULTURAL IMPACTS ASSESSMENT (CIA) Na Pua Makani Wind Project DRAFT CULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE NĀ PUA MAKANI WIND PROJECT, KAHUKU, KEANA, AND MĀLAEKAHANA AHUPUA‘A, KO‘ALAU LOA DISTRICT, ISLAND OF O‘AHU [TMK (1) 5-6-005:018; (1) 5-6-006:018, 047, 051, 055; and (1) 5-6-008:006] Pacific Legacy: Exploring the past, informing the present, enriching the future. DRAFT CULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE NĀ PUA MAKANI WIND PROJECT, KAHUKU, KEANA, AND MĀLAEKAHANA AHUPUA‘A, KO‘OLAU LOA DISTRICT, ISLAND OF O‘AHU [TMK (1) 5-6-005:018; (1) 5-6-006:018, 047, 051, 055; and (1) 5-6-008:006] Prepared by: Kimberly M. Mooney, B.A. Elizabeth E. Kahahane, B.A. and Paul L. Cleghorn, Ph.D. Pacific Legacy, Inc. 30 Aulike Street, Suite 301 Kailua, HI 96734 (808) 263-4800 Prepared for: Nā Pua Makani Power Partners, LLC April 2015 ABSTRACT As part of the Environmental Impact Statement process, Nā Pua Makani Power Partners, LLC, a subsidiary of Champlin Hawai‘i Wind Holdings, LLC, has requested a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) for the proposed Nā Pua Makani Wind Project, which is slated for a 464 acre parcel spanning the kula and mauka portions of Kahuku, Keana, and Mālaekahana Ahupua‘a, in Ko‘olau Loa District, O‘ahu [TMK (1) 5-6-005:018; (1) 5-6-006:018, 047, 051, 055; and (1) 5-6- 008:006]. This assessment is based upon archival research as well as ethnographic interviews. Under Act 50, the Hawai‘i State Department of Health “Guidelines for Cultural Impact Assessments” mandate that the subject property be studied as well as surrounding areas where construction or development have impact potential. These guidelines also recommend personal interviews with traditional cultural practitioners and knowledgeable informants on cultural practices. For this study, three interviews with four cultural informants were performed, while only two informant summaries are included as two were withdrawn. The results of archival research indicate that the vicinity of Kahuku, Keana, and Mālaekahana Ahupua‘a has a long and rich cultural and legendary history. However, little is mentioned of the specific property in which the Nā Pua Makani Wind Project is to be built. Regardless, some traditional Hawaiian practices were found to be practiced in and around the project area, including pig hunting and plant gathering, according to the testimony of two of the four interviewees. Yet, neither informant expressed that the areas in which the cultural practices were occurring were exceptional, legal, or even ideal, as the lands are private and/or reserved for military use. Further, it is uncertain that the locations in which the activities occur are within the Area of Potential Effect (APE). Hence, the proposed development of the Nā Pua Makani Wind Project is not forecasted to significantly impact any ongoing cultural practices. It is reportedly a common belief that the area in general has a mystical past and retains some supernatural qualities. To respect the spiritual connections that people have with the ‘āina, as the general area is known as a wahi pana (legendary place), it is recommended that any major event or construction related activity be preceded with a traditional Hawaiian Blessing ceremony performed by a kahuna (priest or priestess) or kahu pule (minister/preacher). DRAFT — Cultural Impact Assessment Proposed Nā Pua Makani Wind Project Kahuku, Keana, and Mālaekahana Ahupua‘a, Ko‘olau Loa District April 2015 i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose .............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Methods ............................................................................................................................................. 2 2.0 PROJECT AREA DESCRIPTIONS .................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Geology, Hydrology, and Sediments ............................................................................................ 5 2.2 Climate ............................................................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Vegetation ......................................................................................................................................... 6 3.0 ARCHIVAL RESEARCH SUMMARY ............................................................................................ 7 3.1 Pre-European Contact Cultural Landscape .................................................................................. 7 3.1.1 The Natural World .................................................................................................................... 7 3.1.2 Life in the Ahupua‘a ................................................................................................................. 9 3.1.3 Traditional Hawaiian Land Divisions .................................................................................. 12 3.1.4 Traditional Names of Topographical Features ................................................................... 13 3.1.5 Traditional Names of the Winds of Ko‘olau Loa ................................................................ 14 3.1.6 Mo‘olelo of Kahuku, Keana, and Mālaekahana Ahupua‘a .............................................. 19 3.2 European Contact ........................................................................................................................... 34 3.3 Historic Era ..................................................................................................................................... 36 3.3.1 Western Observations ............................................................................................................ 36 3.3.2 Cultural Practices .................................................................................................................... 38 3.3.3 Land Court Awards ................................................................................................................ 40 3.3.4 Historic Agriculture, Religion, Developments, and Military Land Use ......................... 54 4.0 PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGY ....................................................................................................... 58 4.1 Early Archaeological Studies ........................................................................................................ 63 4.2 Recent Archaeological Investigations ......................................................................................... 63 5.0 PREVIOUS ETHNOGRAPHIC INTERVIEWS .......................................................................... 69 6.0 ETHNOGRAPHIC INTERVIEWS ................................................................................................. 72 6.1 Kūpuna Testimony ........................................................................................................................ 73 6.1.1 Mr. John Primacio Jr. .............................................................................................................. 73 6.1.2 Mr. Raymond “Buddy” A.H. Ako ........................................................................................ 75 7.0 FINDINGS ......................................................................................................................................... 77 7.1 Summary of Kūpuna Testimony.................................................................................................. 77 8.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................... 78 9.0 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................... 79 DRAFT — Cultural Impact Assessment Proposed Nā Pua Makani Wind Project Kahuku, Keana, and Mālaekahana Ahupua‘a, Ko‘olau Loa District April 2015 ii 9.1 Historic Maps ................................................................................................................................. 90 APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................................................... 91 APPENDIX B ............................................................................................................................................ 98 APPENDIX C ......................................................................................................................................... 101 APPENDIX D ......................................................................................................................................... 104 APPENDIX E .......................................................................................................................................... 108 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Project Area/APE on USGS map. ........................................................................................... 4 Figure 2. Map of O‘ahu, showing approximate location of project area in relation to pre-Māhele moku and ahupua‘a (courtesy of Hawaiian Studies Institute 1987). ............................................. 8 Figure 3. Sterling and Summers (1978) map of Ko‘olau Loa showing approximate location of project area. ......................................................................................................................................