By Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin

This Volcano lot reflects the effects of clear cutting
and bulldozing, which removes all vegetation, including
rare Hawaiian species.

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Volcano community
trying to avert clear-cutting

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

If you haven't seen firsthand the effects of clear-cutting on a rain forest, the next time you visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, take a detour into the tiny village of Volcano.

Much of the Volcano area is within the United Nations International Biosphere reserve, which means the area is very environmentally sensitive and supports large populations of rare native species.

It's not that vast acres of Volcano have been clear-cut, but the house lots that have provide startling evidence of the effects.

While strong efforts are being made by the Volcano Community Association to protect the community's fragile rain forest through education and public forums, parcels up to five acres have been clear-cut and bulldozed to remove all vegetation, including hapu'u tree ferns and ohia trees, which take decades to mature.

The result is lots that fill in with rapidly growing, invasive exotics and grasses that prevent the native plants' return, said Kathryn Grout, chairwoman of Volcano's Long Range Planning Committee.

A native forest cannot be restored once it's gone, she said. Efforts to replant hapu'u generally are unsuccessful, and if the elegant ferns do grow back, they're usually stunted, a dwarf of former splendor, never reaching their usual 10- to 12-foot height.

Most of Volcano's cleared lots are connected with older homes built before environmental sensitivity became an issue.

According to a survey by the Volcano Community Association, "99.98 percent" of respondents "strongly oppose clear cutting." But to save time and money, many new landowners and bulldozer operators see clear-cutting as the quickest and least expensive way to prepare a lot for building, Grout said.

There are several reasons to be careful when preparing a lot for building, she said. Properties with mature trees are more appealing to future buyers and increase property values.

Uncleared lots appear larger and help prevent flooding for an area that, according to the National Weather Service, receives about 12 feet of rain annually.

Volcano has developed serious flooding problems in recent years, caused in part by increased land clearing, Grout said.

The Volcano Community Association tries to educate property owners about environmentally sensitive lot preparation:

Clear only the land necessary for immediate and near-future needs.

Clearing land by hand allows for easier landscaping and maintenance. Ohia trees have shallow roots that don't like to be disturbed. Even trees that have been carefully avoided by bulldozers sometimes die within a few years. Local woodcutters can be helpful with hand-clearing and charge little in exchange for wood.

Learn to identify and remove noxious weeds from your property.

Research appropriate house designs for the Volcano climate. Small clearings on the south side of the house and selective thinning on other sides can provide enough warmth and light to reduce mold. Skylights and building off the ground help keep interiors dry.