Public Documents | Office of Environmental Quality Control

From the summary of the draft EA:

PART 1: PROJECT DESCRIPTION, PURPOSE AND NEED AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS

1.1 Project Location and Description

The Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works (DPW) intends to construct a 17-space paved parking lot near Banyans surf site on the mauka side of Ali‘i Drive to alleviate congestion and safety issues caused by excessive roadside parking. The parking lot would be constructed on properties identified as TMKs 7-6-015:012 and 7-6-015:013 (see Figures 1-4 for maps and photos), which have been disturbed by construction activities including house construction and demolition in the past. The properties will be leased by the County of Hawai‘i (the County) for a term of eight years, after which the landowner and County may negotiate to continue the lease.

The project will include clearing and grubbing of the site, excavation/grading, paving, and fencing. Several existing trees and portions of the rock walls currently present on the site will be left in place. The parking lot will be fenced and gated and locked at night. It will include two parking stalls designed in accordance with guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The County plans to finish design of the parking lot in March 2011, after which it will proceed with construction, either in-house or through a contractor. Construction would take about 30 to 40 working days, and the value of the improvements will be $124,000 or less. The monthly lease rent on the property will be $500.00.

1.2 Purpose and Need

The Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works is undertaking this project in order to resolve problems associated with roadside parking by surfers, spectators and beachgoers at the surf site known as Banyans on the north side of Hōlualoa Bay. The area has a long history of surfing, as Hōlualoa Bay was a favorite surfing spot for the Hawaiian Ali‘i, including Kamehameha I. There are many surfers in West Hawai‘i but relatively few surf sites, and Banyans is one of the most popular not only because of the quality of the wave when it breaks but also because it responds to various swell directions and thus breaks frequently. The County prohibits parking along the narrow right-ofway of two-lane Ali‘i Drive in order to keep the heavily used bike lanes clear. The shortage of available parking frustrates surfers and can lead to conflicts with private property owners, blocking of the bike lanes, congestion, and safety problems. Construction of the 17-space parking lot will not solve all parking, congestion or safety problems in the area but it will generally contribute to a safer and less congested area.

1.3 Environmental Assessment Process

This Environmental Assessment (EA) process is being conducted in accordance with Chapter 343 of the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS). This law, along with its implementing regulations, Title 11, Chapter 200, of the Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR), is the basis for the environmental impact.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Photo is courtesy Draft EA, showing the Project Site from Alii Drive

Download the entire document in .pdf: http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Hawaii/2010s/2011-02-08-HA-DEA-Alii-Drive-Parking.pdf