Cultural Impact Assessment: Fiber Optic Cable Project Haleʻiwa Oʻahu, Pāpōhaku Molokaʻi, and Waiehu Maui
SWCA Environmental Consultants are preparing Cultural Impact Assessments (CIAs) and Ka Paʻakai Analyses for the proposed Inter-Island Middle Mile submarine fiber optic cable (FOC) project. This project will establish a total of ten cable landing sites designed to bring fast, reliable broadband to rural areas across the Hawaiian Islands. At each landing site, the fiber optic cable will be brought ashore via a horizontal directional drilled passage beneath the beach, with a manhole set back from the shoreline serving as the connection point between the submarine and terrestrial FOC.
The planned Haleʻiwa landing site is located within the ahupuaʻa of Kawailoa in the moku of Waialua, on the island of Oʻahu, Tax Map Key (TMK) parcel (1) 6-2-001:002. This site is located within Haleʻiwa Beach Park, at the makai end of Kahalewai Place, adjacent to the northwest corner of the grassy field. On Oʻahu, this project is set to benefit the communities of Wahiawā, Nānākuli, Waiʻanae and Waimānalo, and the Hawaiian Home Lands communities of Nānākuli and Waiʻanae.
The planned Pāpōhaku landing site is located within the ahupuaʻa of Kaluakoʻi in the moku of Kona on the island of Molokaʻi, Tax Map Key (TMK) parcel (2) 5-1-006:073. This site is located within Pāpōhaku Beach Park, makai of Kalua Koʻi Road. On Molokaʻi, this project is set to benefit the communities of Kaluakoʻi, and Maunaloa and the Hawaiian Home Lands (HHL) communities of Hoʻolehua, Pālāʻau, Kalamaʻula, Kamiloloa-Makakupaʻia, and Kapaʻakea.
The planned Waiehu landing site is located within the ahupuaʻa of Waiehu in the moku of Wailuku, on the island of Maui, predominately within the Tax Map Key (TMK) parcel (2) 3-2-013:006. Small portions of the project area intersect with TMKs (2) 3-2-020:071, (2) 3-2-013:999, and (2) 3-2-013:005. This site is located within the parking lot at the northern end of Lower Waiehu Beach Road, bordered by Waiehu Beach, Leisure Estates Park, and the Waiehu Municipal Golf Course. On Maui, this project is set to benefit the communities of Waiehu, Keʻanae, and Hāna and the Hawaiian Home Land (HHL) areas of Waiehu, Paukūkalo, Keʻanae, and Wailua.
To assist with the CIAs and Ka Paʻakai Analyses, SWCA is seeking community input regarding cultural knowledge of the areas, including past and present land use, place names, cultural traditions, gathering practices, and any concerns the community might have related to cultural practices within or in the vicinity of the project areas. SWCA invites the kōkua and manaʻo of individuals with knowledge of the area’s cultural resources. Please contact SWCA at hawaiiculturalconsultation@swca.com or (808) 646-6309 for more information or to share insights. Your input will help ensure this project carefully considers cultural practices and concerns.
