In addition to assessments for any potential environmental, land and building impacts, Hamakua Energy also looked at potential impacts on our island’s cultural resources. Hamakua Energy commissioned independent, third-party evaluators to conduct an archeological study to identify any potential cultural impacts on property and the report, completed in July 2024, showed there are no significant impact to cultural or historic resources. The results of this new study is posted below to maintain our commitment to transparency.
A number of previous site investigations and archeological assessments have been conducted over the past 30 years and no cultural impacts were identified in these past reports.
Permits and Past Studies
1996
A special permit granted to the original Hamakua Energy plant in 1996 (SPP 96-12) affirmed the power plant is “consistent with the goals, policies and standards of the General Plan.”
2008:
In 2008, comprehensive archaeological investigations of our property were conducted in the ahupuaa of Nienie and Papuaa in the Hamakua District to determine if significant historic resources exist within the perimeter of our property. These archaeological investigations also met the requirements of the State Historic Preservation Division of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. The purpose of these investigations was to make recommendations to mitigate the impact of future construction activities upon potentially significant historic resources. A site surface survey showed there was only modem debris less than 50 years of age and the consultants determined that no resources of significance to historic preservation were present.
2017
Another archeological study, conducted in 2017, showed there are no archaeological resources in this area. The land was previously the site of Hamakua Sugar Company’s Haina Mill, which was previously used to process sugarcane into raw sugar before closing in 1994.
Click the links below to view the most recent study:
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