2014-54 -VLRP Transmittal - Laserfiche WebLink

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CULTURAL/ HISTORICAL RESOURCES The VLRP proposes an ordinance by County Council to create a Historic District designation that would ensure protection of the unique architectural and historic features of the commercial district. A Historic District is a land use zone designation that enables the community to specify the range and types of uses that will be permitted within the zone. The purpose of this designation is to enhance and protect the specific features of the area and, indirectly, the quality of the Volcano Village core. Architectural design, appearance, size of structures, color and texture of exterior, density of building layout, setbacks, screening types of use, noise, lighting and all other features that will affect the ultimate appearance of development within the district are included in this designation. The Volcano community is located in upper elevation ecosystems named by Native Hawaiians as Wao Akua or Wao Ma'ukele. These were considered to be wilderness, visited only by those who were directed there by a chief to collect feathers, adz stones, and logs for canoes. Understandably, no remains of Hawaiian settlement have been found to date in Volcano. The earliest non-Hawaiian settlers in Volcano, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were mostly members of the kama'aina (native born or longtime resident) business and professional community of Hawaii who built homes for summer or holiday use. Other island residents, notably Japanese families, were employed as their caretakers and as workers at the W. H. Shipman dairy, Volcano House, and other businesses in the area, and then later established themselves as farmers. The remains of numerous ovens or kilns, used for burning 'ohi'a logs to make charcoal for heating or cooking have been found in Volcano Village, probably dating back to the early non-Hawaiian occupation of Volcano. The first published report of a residence in Volcano dates from the early 1890's. There are also remains of an historic narrow gauge railway in Volcano and records of two historic trails to the summit of Kilauea Caldera. A resident professional architect conducted an inventory of historic buildings (over 50 years old) in 1993. He found over 100 structures built prior to 1942, with almost all in Volcano Village and a few in Mauna Loa Estates. Many more structures would qualify today in 2014. Most are elevated, post and pier, single wall structures, although one 1890's log house remains. The largest historic structure is the 1930 YMCA Camp now housing the Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant. Although a few abandoned structures have deteriorated, many are proudly maintained by residents who have preserved their historic fabric and even landscaping. Tours of historic homes sponsored by the Volcano Community Foundation are enthusiastically attended and develop long waiting lists. A portion of Hale 'Ohi'a Road, an approximately one- quarter mile long road in the core of Volcano Village, has been designated as a Hawaii State Residential Historic District. 15