Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Opening Newly Acquired Park Area
Opening Newly Acquired Park Area
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National Park
1916 Park Size 354,460 acres Annual Visitors 1.6 million Park Fee $30 Superintendent Rhonda Loh Park Partner Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Location Hawaii County, HI |
In July 2022, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park was enlarged by the addition of the 16,000-acre Kahuku-Pōhue area, featuring five miles of scenic, remote coastline. This land was privately held for many years and under threat of development. Its outstanding natural resources include an important nesting beach for the endangered hawksbill turtle and anchialine ponds - landlocked pools with a mix of fresh and saltwater - where rare Hawaiian red shrimp, called ‘ōpae’ula, live. The area is spiritually important to Native Hawaiians and culturally significant, holding the remains of ancient villages, petroglyphs, and the largest known abrader tool quarry in the state.
At public meetings, the local community has voiced strong support for opening the area for low impact hiking, camping, and fishing, as well as traditional cultural practices. The park has completed compliance on a plan to construct a short hiking trail to reach the shoreline. However, as is often the case, the land was acquired by the National Park Service without a corresponding increase to the park’s annual operating budget. Funding is needed for a latrine system, without which visitor use will result in environmental damage. Installing a vault toilet on the trail will enable the newly acquired coastland to be opened to visitors for the first time. Compliance has been completed and supplies have been ordered. Installation is expected by the end of 2024. Project Cost: $223,608 Project Begun: 2023 The Fund for People in Parks: $150,620 Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes: $61,338 National Park Service: $11,650 The Kaʻū district is largely rural and the majority of communities underserved, with among the lowest median income in the state of Hawaiʻi and a large minority population. At public meetings, the community has voiced strong support for opening the area to low impact, backcountry hiking and camping." |
