Committee advances four shoreline special-management-area permits with archaeological, flood and invasive-species conditions

The Honolulu City Council Committee on Zoning and Planning on Sept. 23 amended and reported out four separate Special Management Area (SMA) major permit resolutions for shoreline properties, imposing conditions intended to reduce cultural, flood and environmental risks.

The projects are distinct applications, each considered and amended to CD1 by the committee: Sea Turtles Estates LLC (demolition and new two-story dwelling and garage at 56-157 Kamehameha Highway in Mala'1 Kahana; Resolution 25-2-29), James M. and Mary E. Sippen (new two-story single-family dwelling and wastewater system at 47711A Kamehameha Highway in Kahului'u; Resolution 25-2-30), Noel E. Remington (addition and new dwelling at 56225 Kamehameha Highway in Mala'1 Kahana; Resolution 25-2-45), and AJ Beach LLC / JB Beachside LLC (new two-story dwelling at 914 C Punahele Place in Guilupe; Resolution 25-2-46).

Why it matters: Each application touches shoreline setback, sea-level-rise exposure and archaeological sensitivity. The committee attached or retained conditions requiring archaeological inventory surveys with subsurface testing as requested by the State Historic Preservation Division, protocols for handling Native Hawaiian ancestral remains, protocols to minimize spread of invasive species when importing structural fill, and, where applicable, requirements to obtain floodway permits and flood insurance.

Project specifics cited in committee remarks and staff reports: - Sea Turtles Estates LLC (56-157 Kamehameha Highway): nearest proposed structure about 82 feet from the presumed shoreline; excavation ~17 cubic yards for a new wastewater tank and ~95 cubic yards for a leach field; proposed import of 29.2 cubic yards of structural fill; project site anticipated to be impacted by 3.2 feet of sea-level rise by 2100 on the MacKay portion, but buildings located mauka of the exposure area. The committee removed a condition that had required submission of a "revised cultural impact assessment" to the State Historic Preservation Division because the division does not accept such a submission.

- James M. and Mary E. Sippen (47711A Kamehameha Highway): project located in Flood Zone AF with required floodway permits; finished floor elevation about 10.5 feet above mean sea level; excavation roughly 107.5 cubic yards and proposed import of 103 cubic yards of structural fill; approximately two-thirds of the dwelling is within the 3.2-foot sea-level-rise exposure area on one parcel and condition c2 requires the applicant to acknowledge responsibility for cleanup and restoration in event of coastal erosion-related loss.

- Noel E. Remington (56225 Kamehameha Highway): about 10% of the site is within the 3.2-foot sea-level-rise exposure area, but no proposed structures are in the affected area; State Historic Preservation Division recommended an archaeological inventory survey; applicant proposes importing approximately 46 cubic yards of structural fill.

- AJ Beach LLC / JB Beachside LLC (914 C Punahele Place): entire project site anticipated to be impacted by 3.2 feet of sea-level rise by 2100; proposed dwelling located about 60 feet from the regulatory shoreline; existing contiguous seawall (built 1949) encroaches into state submerged lands; the Board of Land and Natural Resources granted a right of entry pending a nonexclusive easement; applicant anticipates a certified shoreline survey in 6 to 12 months; proposed import of ~450 cubic yards of structural fill; roof overhang encroaches ~2 feet into the 60-foot shoreline setback and will require a minor shoreline structure permit.

Department position and applicant remarks: Elizabeth Krieger of the Department of Planning and Permitting said DPP supported the CD1 versions and recommended clear, transparent stamping and architect-of-record practices for future building-permit submissions. Project agents (Mark Howland of Well Environmental Services; Jim Hayes of Planning Solutions) and property owners said the CD1 conditions align with agency comments and would be met as part of permit review.

Action taken: For each resolution the chair recommended and the committee approved (voice) amendments to CD1 and reported the resolutions out for adoption.

Next steps: Each resolution will proceed through the council adoption process with the CD1 conditions; applicants must satisfy required archaeological surveys, floodway permits, shoreline certifications or minor shoreline structure permits, and invasive-species soil-import protocols before construction permits are issued.