2024-05-06 Deborah Ward - Laserfiche WebLink

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BACKGROUND The entire Ka'u district has approximately 8,500 people and 1,000 square miles of land.2 Sixty- four percent(64%) of the land is zoned conservation,36% agricultural,and approximately 3% is urban. Ka`u is less developed than most of the nine districts in Hawaii County,according to the State Land Use classifications. Subdivisions covered by the CWPP are Discovery Harbour,Mark Twain Estates,Green Sands/Kiolakaa-Kea`a Homesteads,South Point,and the areas of Waiohinu,Na'alehu,Pahala, Wood Valley,and Kapapala. The greater Ka`u district includes Ocean View and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park(both covered by independent CWPP documents). The South Kona district lies to the northwest,the Puna District to the east. Environment and Natural Resources3 The Ka`u CWPP area is situated within the larger Hawaii County district of Ka`u . Formed from Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes and the prehistoric Ninole Volcano,the region is characterized by areas of barren lava,rocky substrate,and soil areas derived from volcanic ash. Elevations range from sea level to over 13,000 feet at the top of Mauna Loa. Climate The Ka`u region has a wide range of climatic conditions in a relatively small distance,providing diverse physical environments from the coastline to high elevations. The tradewinds are a dominant feature of the area.The degree to which wind reaches an area significantly determines its climatic (and fire hazard) conditions. The eastern portion of Ka`u is protected from the prevailing northeast trade winds due to its position in the dry leeward shadow of Kilauea. This area is known as the Ka`u desert,although it receives up to 40"per year of rain. Trade winds are,however,able to blow through the saddle between Mauna Loa and Kilauea, bringing moisture to the windward side of the Mauna Loa southwest rift zone,dropping as much as 120"of rain per year in the higher elevations. The leeward side of the Mauna Loa southwest rift zone receives an average annual rainfall of 60",only half that of the windward side. Ka Lae (South Point)has consistent exposure to strong,dry winds as moisture is lost before it reaches the area. Lower elevation temperatures range between approximately 57°F in the winter to over 90°F in the summer. Inland higher elevation areas experience cooler trends than the coast,with temperatures decreasing with elevation. Ecosystems Differences in climate,topography,and soils have resulted in unique ecosystems. The classification of terrestrial ecosystems is based on the elevation at which they occur. In general, koa and ohia forests are found at higher elevations.Areas considered prime agricultural lands are concentrated around Na'alehu-Waiohinu and Pahala just above and below Highway 11. Lava fields with mixed shrubs and grasses characterize the low-lying coastal areas. In the past several hundred years of human habitation,pristine native ecosystems have diminished. Human activity,particularly agriculture(i.e. sugar cane,macadamia nuts,poorly 6