Historic Properties Assessment for the Proposed Monopole and

T. S. Dye & Colleagues, Archaeologists, Inc.
735 Bishop St., Suite 315, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813
Historic Properties Assessment for the Proposed
Monopole and Antenna Addition to the Verizon
Wireless HI3 Honokaa Cellular Site at 45–3339 Kou
Street, Honoka‘a, Hāmākua District, Hawai‘i Island,
TMK: (3) 4–5–017:015 por.∗
Kristin M. Macak
Elaine H. R. Jourdane
Thomas S. Dye, PhD
March 17, 2009
Applicant: Bureau Veritas North America, Inc.
Applicant’s Consultant: T. S. Dye & Colleagues, Archaeologists, Inc.
Location: 45-3339 Kou Street, Hāmākua District, Hawai‘i Island.
Tax map key: TMK: (3) 4–5–017:015.
Request: Verizon Wireless HI3 Honokaa monopole and antenna addition.
Direct Effect: No historic properties in area of potential effect for direct effects.
Visual Effect: No effect on historic properties in area of potential effect for visual effects.
1
Introduction
At the request of Bureau Veritas North America, T. S. Dye & Colleagues, Archaeologists,
Inc. conducted an historic properties assessment of a parcel for the proposed monopole
and antenna addition at the existing Verizon Wireless HI3 Honokaa cellular site in Honoka‘a on the island of Hawai‘i. The primary focus of the project was on the discovery and
appropriate treatment of historic properties within the area of potential effect. The goals
of the assessment were to determine whether installation of a new antenna monopole and
associated underground utilities would have direct or visual effects on historic properties.
∗ Bureau
Veritas North America, Inc. 970 North Kalāheo Avenue, Suite C-316, Kailua, HI 96734.
1
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1.1
1
INTRODUCTION
Project Area
Verizon Wireless proposes modifications to its existing cellular site at a developed parcel
located at 45–3339 Kou Street in Honoka‘a. The modifications consist of the installation
of a new 40 ft. tall antenna monopole and an underground utility conduit. The proposed
antenna pole will be installed in a grass lawn near the southeast corner of the existing
commercial business building. The underground conduit will run from the antenna pole
to the building. Verizon Wireless also proposes to remove the existing Omni antennas
from the roof of the building. The proposed modification to the existing Verizon Wireless
HI3 cellular site is located in the southeastern portion of the 10,759 ft.2 parcel owned
by Ernest S. Teixeira Trust, and identified as TMK: (3) 4–5–017:015 (fig. 1). Ground
disturbance is expected for the installation of the antenna pole and underground utility
conduit (fig. 2).
Figure 1. Proposed monopole and antenna addition at the existing Verizon Wireless HI3
Honokaa cellular site location on portion of the USGS 1998 Honokaa quadrangle.
1.1
Project Area
3
Figure 2. Site plan for proposed monopole and antenna addition at the existing Verizon
Wireless HI3 Honokaa cellular site, courtesy of Bureau Veritas North America, Inc.
According to the FCC Nationwide Programmatic Agreement, the area of potential
effect (APE) for direct effects on historic properties includes the area of potential ground
disturbance during the installation of the tower, equipment shelter and utilities. The
APE for visual effects on historic properties for a tower 200 ft. or less is the area within
ca. 0.5 mi. of the tower.
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1.2
1
INTRODUCTION
Background Research
This archaeological assessment includes the review of historic documents, maps and
archaeological reports on file at the State Historic Preservation Division library, the
Hawaii State Library and the State Bureau of Conveyances.
1.2.1
Natural Setting
The proposed project lies at an elevation of ca. 1,362 ft. above sea level. The soils are
described as Kukaiau silty clay loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes (KuC). The Kukaiau series
consists of well-drained silty clay loams that formed in volcanic ash and are gently sloping
to steep. They are found at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 ft. and receive 70–100 in.
of rainfall annually. This series consists of soils typically used for sugarcane cultivation
or pasturing [7].
The proposed project is located at the entrance to Honoka‘a town, within a residential subdivision. Commercial businesses are located to the northwest, and residential
properties to the east and west. Māmalahoa Highway runs adjacent to the south side of
the proposed project area.
1.2.2
Traditional and Historic Land Use
The physical environment, historic properties, and history of the Hāmākua district have
been documented in several studies, especially those of Cordy [1, 2], Head and Rosendahl
[3], and Walker and Rosendahl [10]. The following information is a brief review that
provides context for the project.
The Verizon Wireless HI3 Honokaa cell site is located in the undivided ahupua‘a
of Kalua, Pakiloa, Ouhi and Kaao in the Hāmākua district on the northeast coast of
the island of Hawai‘i. Hāmākua, one of the six traditional districts of Hawai‘i Island,
extends from the North Kohala border along the lower windward slopes of Mauna Kea
to the North Hilo border at ‘O‘ōkala. Inland from the coast, the district extends to the
upper slopes of Mauna Kea and to the interior saddle area of Pōhakuloa and the slopes
of Mauna Loa. Hāmākua was an important political, religious and economic center.
heiau
Waipi‘o and Hāmākua had great political importance for centuries. They are
closely associated with Līloa and his son, ‘Umi, two of the most renowned
Pili rulers of the Hawai‘i kingdom. Both were Hāmākua men. Waipi‘o
remained important into the reign of Kamehameha, although it passed from
primary importance as a ruling center ca. ad 1600-1620 . . . Waipi‘o was one
of the religious centers of the island with a number of large heiau . . . [Besides
Waipi‘o, Kukuihaele ahupua‘a was famed for its medical kahunas. . . and there
were heiau scattered down the Hāmākua shore to the Hilo border where
a heiau dedicated to Pele was located.] . . . Waipi‘o too was a renowned
population and economic center . . . The valley and its companion valley of
Waimanu were also famed taro producing lands—supplying chiefs, even
up in Waimea, with taro well into the 1800s . . . In 1790 and 1791, Hāmākua
figured among the last major battle sites on Hawai‘i Island. In 1790, a series
of devastating battles were fought in the district between Kamehameha and
1.2
Background Research
5
Keoua, his cousin and ruler of the Ka‘ū kingdom which controlled Ka‘ū,
Puna, Hilo and parts of Hāmākua. [1:9]
Cordy [2] provides a summary of the traditional settlement pattern for Hāmākua.
Hāmākua’s large valleys (Waimanu and Waipi‘o, and to a lesser degree Honopue) had irrigated taro fields on the valley floors and in the upper valleys,
with tree crops (breadfruit, coconuts, bananas) and dryland crops (sweet
potatoes, yams) on the drier spots at the base of the valley walls, the valley
dunes and in the upper valleys. Houses were scattered along these drier
spots, and concentrated heavily in the lower valleys. Major religious structures were at the front in the lower valleys. Large marine benches along
the cliffs were used for housing, irrigating taro (tapping waterfalls) and
dryland cultivation. Forests above and between valleys were exploited, as
were offshore marine resources. The rest of Hāmākua was cliff lands with
many small gulches. Housing and associated heiau were just above the cliffs
on the gently rolling slopes, extending inland for 0.3–1.3 mile. Dryland taro
and other crops were grown in fields around the houses and slightly inland.
Ahupua‘a in these areas exploited the ‘ōhi‘a-koa forest above, with Ka‘ohe
and Pā‘auhau encompassing the vast inland māmane forest lands and with
Ka‘ohe including the Mauna Kea adze quarry and the nēnē and petrel nesting
ground in the Saddle area beyond. Community rights to marine resources
often were restricted to the narrow benches below the cliffs with some lands
having use rights to offshore fisheries. [2:44]
The proposed project site is located along Māmalahoa Highway at the entrance to the
historic town of Honoka‘a. Honoka‘a’s history is strongly tied to the sugar industry, which
started in 1876 with the establishment of the Honokaa Sugar Company by J. Marsden
and J. F. H. Siemsen. Starting with 500 ac., Honoka‘a became one of the largest sugar
plantation communities on the island of Hawai‘i. The mill at Honoka‘a was the first
established in the Hāmākua district. By 1928 the Honokaa Sugar Company encompassed
over 9,000 ac. of fee simple and leased lands. In 1916, the Honokaa Ranch Division
was started and contained 2,600 ac. of grazing lands above the cane fields. The ranch
lands were used to raise 600 head of cattle that were consumed locally. The lands of
the Honokaa Sugar Company extended from the sea to a distance of about 3 mi. inland,
with elevations ranging between 280 ft. at Kukuihaele landing to 1,955 ft. on the slope of
Mauna Kea [4; 9].
At the time of the māhele, the proposed Verizon Wireless location was government
land. In 1921, John S. Teixeira acquired a 41.963 ac. parcel (Land Grant 7782, Kaao
Homesteads) from the government, including the proposed project site for $2685. In 1923,
John S. Teixeira and his wife deeded the entire parcel to John J. Pavao. In 1946 portions
of the Pavao parcel were leased to the Honokaa Sugar Company. In 1948 the proposed
project site was included in a deed from Pavao to Frank S. Teixeira. Subdivision of the
larger parcel occurred in 1954 when the project parcel was created. Since then, ownership
changes occurred until the current owner, Ernest S. Teixeira Trust, was deeded the parcel
in 1987.
According to information provided by Ernest S. Teixeira to Bureau Veritas North
America, Inc., the project parcel was used for sugar cane cultivation prior to 1945. At
māhele
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1
INTRODUCTION
that time, it became pasture land and was used for cattle grazing. In 1969, the existing
commercial building and parking lot was constructed and used as the Tex’s Drive-In
restaurant. The restaurant was moved to a new building across Pakalana Street from the
project parcel in 1979.
1.2.3
Archaeological Background
There are no known archaeological surveys conducted for the proposed project parcel.
Most of the archaeological work conducted within Hāmākua has focused on portions of
west Hāmākua, especially in the areas of Waipi‘o and Waimanu Valleys. Archaeological
work has also been conducted in the upper regions of Mauna Kea and Pōhakuloa. Cordy
[1] provides a detailed summary of the archaeological work in Hāmākua, which indicates
that very little work has been conducted within this area of the district. However, a few
archaeological investigations have been conducted in the general vicinity of the proposed
project site.
In 1991, Walker and Rosendahl [10] conducted an archaeological inventory survey
of a 186 ac. parcel located 0.1–0.5 mi. southwest of the proposed Verizon project site.
Two possible habitation site complexes were found in the southwestern section of the
survey area, ca. 0.45 mi. from the proposed Verizon project site. State site 50–10–08–15143
contained a wall section and an alignment, and site 50–10–08–15144 contained a wall, a
cairn and an upright. No further work was recommended after the sites were recorded
because of their low research and interpretive value.
In 1994, Thompson and Rosendahl [8] conducted archaeological subsurface testing
for the proposed Honokaa Health Care Facility located ca. 0.45 mi. northwest of the
proposed modification to the existing Verizon Wireless HI3 cellular site. Sixteen backhoe
trenches were excavated across the 5.235 ac. parcel. Analysis of the subsurface deposits
determined that the area had a low potential for containing significant cultural remains
because of past land use modifications. No cultural deposits or sites were found during
the investigation.
There is one historic property listed on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places within
the area of potential effect for visual effects. The Honoka‘a High and Elementary School
(State site 50–10–08–7522) was added to the Hawaii Register on June 29, 2002, and is
included in the list of Public Schools on the Island of Hawai‘i thematic group. The
school is significant for the period from 1927–1950, for its educational contribution to the
community and for its functional classical revival style of architecture, which embodies
the characteristics of the period of construction. Honoka‘a School, when built, was one of
the most up-to-date and fully equipped schools. The buildings were designed by architect
Frank F. Arakawa and represent a fine example of his work.
There are no other historic properties listed on the National or Hawai‘i Register of
Historic Places within the area of potential effect for the proposed monopole and antenna
addition at the existing Verizon Wireless HI3 Honokaa cellular site.
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2
Results
No field inspection was conducted by T. S. Dye & Colleagues, Archaeologists, Inc. of the
proposed antenna pole installation location. However, a field inspection was conducted
by Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. and the information and photographs of the
project site were reviewed. The limits of the project area were clearly defined and ground
visibility was excellent. No surface historic properties were observed within the proposed
area for monopole and antenna addition at the existing Verizon Wireless HI3 Honokaa
cellular site. The proposed antenna pole will be located within a portion of the grassed
lawn area of the parcel adjacent to an existing bush on the southeast side of the existing
commercial building. A large propane tank lies approximately 13 ft. west of the proposed
antenna pole (figs. 3, 4).
Figure 3. View of proposed antenna monopole location in the lawn adjacent to existing
bushes, looking southwest. Note the propane tank in the background. Photo courtesy of
Bureau Veritas North America, Inc.
3
Discussion and Conclusions
A review of the archaeological literature, historic maps, field inspection and the information provided by Bureau Veritas North America Inc., shows that the project site has
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DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
Figure 4. View of proposed antenna monopole location in vicinity of bushes, looking
southeast. Photo courtesy of Bureau Veritas North America, Inc.
been previously modified and developed. The project parcel was historically used for
commercial sugar cane cultivation, followed by cattle pasture before it was developed
with the existing commercial building and parking lot. No surface historic properties
exist within the area of potential effect for direct effects for the proposed Verizon Wireless
cellular site, and no subsurface deposits are likely to be found because of past land use
alteration. Therefore the construction of the facility will have no direct effect on historic
properties.
Honoka‘a High and Elementary School is located within 0.5 mi. of the project area.
The school is considered significant because of its contribution to the history of education
in the community and because of its architectural style. Introduction of a visual element,
such as the proposed antenna pole, does not diminish or alter the characteristics that
make the school significant. Thus, the undertaking will have no visual effect on this
historic property.
GLOSSARY
9
Glossary
Entries for Hawaiian words are excerpted or paraphrased, where possible, from the
Hawaiian Dictionary [6], or from Lucas [5].
heiau Traditional Hawaiian place of worship.
māhele Land division of 1848.
Bibliography
[1] Cordy, R. H. (1994). A Regional Synthesis of Hamakua District, Island of Hawai‘i.
Honolulu: Historic Preservation Division, Department of Land and Natural Resources,
State of Hawaii.
[2] Cordy, R. H. (2000). Exalted Sits the Chief: The Ancient History of Hawai‘i Island.
Honolulu: Mutual.
[3] Head, J. A. and P. H. Rosendahl (1992, June). Archaeological Inventory Survey
Hamakua Sugar/Paauilo Parcels Lands of Hauola, Opihilala, and Manienie, Hamakua
District, Island of Hawaii. Prepared for Hamakua Sugar Company and Helber, Hastert
& Fee Planners. Hilo, HI: Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D.
[4] Honolulu Star Bulletin (1935, June 15). Hawaiian Sugar Plantation History No. 16
Honokaa, Island of Hawaii. Honolulu Star Bulletin. Sec. 3–7.
[5] Lucas, P. F. N. (1995). A Dictionary of Hawaiian Legal Land-Terms. Honolulu: Native
Hawaiian Legal Corporation and University of Hawai‘i Committeee for the Preservation and Study of Hawaiian Language, Art and Culture.
[6] Pukui, M. K. and S. H. Elbert (1971). Hawaiian Dictionary (Third ed.). Honolulu:
University of Hawaii Press.
[7] Sato, H. H., W. Ikeda, R. Paeth, R. Smythe, and M. Takehiro, Jr. (1973). Soil Survey of
the Island of Hawaii, State of Hawaii. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with the University of Hawaii Agricultural
Experiment Station.
[8] Thompson, L. W. and P. H. Rosendahl (1994, May). Archaeological Subsurface Testing
Honokaa Heath Care Facility Site. Prepared for Mr. Ronald H. Nagata. Hilo, HI: Paul
H. Rosendahl, Ph.D.
[9] University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Library Hawaiian Collection (1989, September).
Register of the Honokaa Sugar Company, Haina, Hawaii 1875–1959. http://www2.
hawaii.edu/~speccoll/p_honokaa.html.
[10] Walker, A. T. and P. H. Rosendahl (1991, May). Interim Report: Summary of Findings, and General Significance Assessment and Recommended General Treatments Archaeological Inventory Survey Hamakua Sugar/Honokaa Parcels, Lands of Papaanui,
Paalaea, Haina, Namoku, Papuaa, and Nienie, Hamakua District, Island of Hawaii.
Prepared for Hamakua Sugar Company. Hilo, HI: Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D.