2014-54 -VLRP Transmittal - Laserfiche WebLink

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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Volcano is one of the very few communities left in the Hawaiian Islands located in native forest or woodland. The greater Volcano community lies between 3,000 and 4,000 foot elevation on the slopes of Kilauea and Mouna Loa volcanoes, well above the forest zones cleared by either Native Hawaiians or sugar planters. The youngest lava flows underlying the area are 200 to over 500 years old mixed with ash soil built up from several explosive eruptions of Kilauea. These volcanic layers and soils support native rain forest growth dominated by the native tree 'Ohi'a lehua and hapu'u tree ferns. There has been greater disturbance in the first settled neighborhood, Volcano Village, with many areas cleared in the early twentieth century for agriculture or logged for wood fuel, charcoal, and railway ties. However, with the cessation of these activities, native forest trees have re-established in many of these disturbed areas. Except for cleared areas around residences, most of the sparsely settled neighborhoods in windward areas of Volcano created in the 1950's and 1960's (Cymbidium Acres, Mauna Loa Estates, 'Ohi"a Estates, Royal Hawaiian Estates, Hawaiian Orchid Island Estates, and the mauka portion of Fern Forest subdivision) lie within a nearly continuous intact rain forest canopy. Most of these forests are old growth but some areas have vigorous second growth forest. The Volcano Farm lots, established in the 1950's to promote agriculture, consist of 30 acre cleared or partly forested lots. On the drier, leeward side of Volcano, the VGCCE subdivision lies within a dry 'Ohi'a woodland, with scattered trees and an understory of native shrubs and small stands of koa and 'Ohi'a. Volcano is also one of the few communities in the Hawaiian Islands with abundant native birds. Even though escaped ornamental plants and other introduced plant species have invaded many areas and displaced the native understory in many parts of Volcano, the long-lived canopy trees provide habitat for native forest birds. Also, cool upland temperatures help to suppress mosquitoes carrying diseases that have decimated Hawaiian native bird species at lower elevations. Volcano residents are frequently treated to the sights of'Apapane sipping nectar from the flowers of'Ohi'a trees and 'Omao (Hawaiian Thrush) eating fruits of the forest canopy trees, including 'olapa, kolea, and kawa'u. Other native birds, including 'Amakihi, 'lo, and Nene, are also occasionally seen. The Volcano community is situated among several protected natural areas. To the west are rain forests, dry 'Ohi'a woodlands, and pioneer vegetation on the young lava flows in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, recognized as an International Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Toward the south is the protected rain forest of Kahauale'a Natural Area Reserve (16,700 acres). Toward the north are the protected rain forests of Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area (12,000 acres), the National Park's 'Ola'a Forest (10,500 acres), and the managed State 'Ola'a Forest Reserve (9,100 acres). The Volcano community thus lies astride a natural corridor of dispersal for plants and animals among all these protected areas. Protection of native forest in Volcano 10