Hawaii Volcanoes National Park wants to hear from the community about the future use of the Great Crack and will host a community talk story meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Pahala Plantation House, 96-3209 Maile St. in Pahala.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park wants to hear from the community about the future use of the Great Crack and will host a community “talk story” meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Pahala Plantation House, 96-3209 Maile St. in Pahala.
The park acquired the 1,951-acre Great Crack, a geologically rich and rugged area on the remote Southwest Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano, in 2018. The area is mostly barren lava rock, with no surface water, few trees, and little shade, but it is a superb example of the geologic dynamism of the area. The Pacific Ocean borders this exposed, windward shoreline.
The park is working to create a long-term plan for managing the Great Crack area. It was designated as potential wilderness in 1978 while under private ownership. Over the years, various commercial developments were proposed by the previous landowner, including a space launch facility, but none were implemented.
The public may also submit comments to the park superintendent:
Attention: Superintendent, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718, or by email at havo_superintendent@nps.gov.
The mission of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is to protect, conserve, and study the volcanic landscapes and associated natural and cultural resources and processes, and to facilitate safe public access to active volcanism, diverse geographic settings, and wilderness for public education and enjoyment.
