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Want Volcanoes
park to grow?
Speak up

The federal service wants to
know how citizens feel about
adding more acres

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By Rod Thompson
Star-Bulletin

HILO -- As early as 1945, the National Park Service considered adding the Kahuku area of Mauna Loa's southwest rift zone to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Whether the dream should become a reality will be open to public comment this week during three meetings on a park proposal to buy 117,000 acres of Kahuku Ranch and add them to the park's 217,000 acres.

WHERE TO HAVE A SAY Meetings planned by Volcanoes Park will begin at 6 p.m. Today: Hilo Hospital, conference rooms B and C. Tomorrow: Naalehu Community Center. Wednesday: Yano Memorial Hall in Captain Cook, South Kona.

The opportunity arises because Damon Estate, owner of the ranch, is offering it for sale.

The purpose of the meetings is to "take the temperature of the Big Island," said ranger Mardie Lane. "We want to see if there's a basis of support."

Park officials are clearly excited by the idea. "Kahuku is a treasure trove," an announcement of the meetings said. "Its rolling, grassy pastures are dotted with stately koa. Its pristine woodlands and subalpine shrublands encompass an amazing array of native plants and animals."

It also contains geological and archaeological features.

Among the proposed uses of the land, extending from the Hawaii Belt Road at 2,000 feet elevation to 12,500 feet high, near the summit, are hiking, camping, horseback riding, and access for traditional Hawaiian cultural practices.

About 73 percent of the land is lava flows, 14 percent shrub land, 6 percent forest, and 7 percent pasture, Lane said.

The proposal has been criticized because removal of cattle could cause non-native grasses to increase and add to fire hazards.

In response, Lane said cattle grazing might be continued, "at least on an interim basis," to control the fire hazard and to perpetuate the paniolo (cowboy) lifestyle. Hunting of pigs, goats, and sheep may be allowed on a controlled basis. The ranch now allows limited commercial hunting.

The park would employ more people, and new businesses such as bed and breakfast establishments would probably spring up.

The proposal has been criticized as decreasing property tax revenues to Hawaii County, but the park said the federal government is required to make payments in lieu of property taxes. The payments would be ten times more than current tax receipts.