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Low-angle aerial view of the Great Crack and surrounding 1823 lava flows (dark gray) along Kīlauea’s lower Southwest Rift Zone. The crack is about 50 feet (15 meters) wide in this area with similar but variable depth, depending on the amount of rock rubble filling the opening. USGS photo by D. Downs. |
THE GREAT CRACK MEETING DREW QUESTIONS OF ACCESS. The public meeting on The Great Crack and Ala Wai‘i, makai of Hwy 11 between Volcano and Pāhala, drew many questions and comments about local access to the place and how access could change to include more people.
National Park Service sponsored the gathering at Pāhala Community Center on Sept. 23. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park acquired the 1,951-acre Great Crack lands in 2018 and adjacent 2,750-acre Ala Wai'i in 2022. Ala Wai‘i was described as needing more studies to determine its future use. Both areas are managed by the park as wilderness backcountry, open to the public for day hiking. Overnight use is allowed with a backcountry permit obtained through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Backcountry Office.
Signage in the gathering place for public input said "The Great Crack parcel was designated potential wilderness in 1978, which dictates current allowed uses." The Wilderness Act says wilderness character encompasses four intrinsic qualities:
Untrammeled - Wilderness is essential unhindered and free from the actions of modern human control or manipulation.
Natural - Wilderness ecological systems are substantially free from the effects of modern civilization.
Undeveloped - Wilderness retains its primeval character and influence and is essentially without permanent improvement or modern human occupation.
Solitude - Wilderness provides outstanding opportunities for connection that is not disrupted by sights and sounds of people (that are not wanted.)
Members of the public wrote notes such as asking how collecting opihi and fishing in the area might be affected by the Park management. Would pig and goat hunting be allowed to continue? Will there be access to the ocean on the trail between Hwy 11 mile markers 40 and 42? Will there be access to Keawe Tree Road? Do not block it, said a commenter who reported he uses it for fishing twice a week and wants vehicular access. Will there be access to The Great Crack between mile markers 45 and 46? It was also suggested to ban ATVs, and to manage but not eradicate animals to include fish plus limu.
Other comments posted on boards in the public meeting place included the consideration of any two-wheel drive access and the possibility of a parking place for people to leave vehicles and hike. Will there be restrooms? A water station? Would vehicles be able to go all the way to the coast? Would limitations be
imposed, only if necessary, for protecting a special place within the area? Will there be online reservations for permits? Will locals get the priority? Will the Park accommodate traditional fishing and gathering? Will there be flexibility in adjusting permit dates, given weather, surf and other situations for locals who fish and gather?
National Park Service sponsored the gathering at Pāhala Community Center on Sept. 23. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park acquired the 1,951-acre Great Crack lands in 2018 and adjacent 2,750-acre Ala Wai'i in 2022. Ala Wai‘i was described as needing more studies to determine its future use. Both areas are managed by the park as wilderness backcountry, open to the public for day hiking. Overnight use is allowed with a backcountry permit obtained through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Backcountry Office.
Signage in the gathering place for public input said "The Great Crack parcel was designated potential wilderness in 1978, which dictates current allowed uses." The Wilderness Act says wilderness character encompasses four intrinsic qualities:
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| Locals ask about continued public access to the lands around The Great Crack for hunting, and fishing. Photo by Julia Neal |
Natural - Wilderness ecological systems are substantially free from the effects of modern civilization.
Undeveloped - Wilderness retains its primeval character and influence and is essentially without permanent improvement or modern human occupation.
Solitude - Wilderness provides outstanding opportunities for connection that is not disrupted by sights and sounds of people (that are not wanted.)
Members of the public wrote notes such as asking how collecting opihi and fishing in the area might be affected by the Park management. Would pig and goat hunting be allowed to continue? Will there be access to the ocean on the trail between Hwy 11 mile markers 40 and 42? Will there be access to Keawe Tree Road? Do not block it, said a commenter who reported he uses it for fishing twice a week and wants vehicular access. Will there be access to The Great Crack between mile markers 45 and 46? It was also suggested to ban ATVs, and to manage but not eradicate animals to include fish plus limu.
Other comments posted on boards in the public meeting place included the consideration of any two-wheel drive access and the possibility of a parking place for people to leave vehicles and hike. Will there be restrooms? A water station? Would vehicles be able to go all the way to the coast? Would limitations be
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| Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh shows maps of the planning area. Photo by Julia Neal |
No buildings or infrastructure to obstruct the viewshed urged another commenter. Another suggestion was "No permit for overnight stay." and giving local access by ID or driver's license. Making no road improvements was another.
Hawaiian cultural expert Jesse Ke suggested to connect park representatives to families in the area. It was also suggested that a longtime paniolo of the area, Anthony Oliveira, be contacted to connect with families with knowledge of the place.
See natural and human history of the lands, planning ideas and a portal for more input at https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/historyculture/the-great-crack-and-ala-waii.htm. Written comments can be sent to Superintendent, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawai‘i National Park, HI 96718.
Hawaiian cultural expert Jesse Ke suggested to connect park representatives to families in the area. It was also suggested that a longtime paniolo of the area, Anthony Oliveira, be contacted to connect with families with knowledge of the place.
See natural and human history of the lands, planning ideas and a portal for more input at https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/historyculture/the-great-crack-and-ala-waii.htm. Written comments can be sent to Superintendent, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawai‘i National Park, HI 96718.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
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| Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaoleohaililani |
On Tuesday, Oct. 17 in Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium at 7 p.m. during After Dark in the Park, Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaoleohaililani of Hālau O Kekuhi guides participants to connect to the landscapes of Hawai‘i on a deeper level. Passed down from her grandmother, Edith Kekuhi Kanakaʻole, her hula, chant, and stage performances have touched thousands of lives. This event is expected to be well attended. Doors will open for seating beginning at 6:30pm. Program is co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Your $2 donation helps to support park programs. Admission is free but Park entrance fees apply.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
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