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Consider Options for Recreational Use and Access of Newly Acquired Lands, Great Crack and Ala Waiʻi Parcels
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park » Consider Options for Recreational Use and Access of Newly Acquired Lands, Great Crack and Ala Waiʻi Parcels » Document List
This project is considering the long-term planning and management of the Great Crack and Ala Waiʻi areas. The park acquired stewardship of the 1,951-acre Great Crack in 2018, and the adjacent 2,750-acre Ala Waiʻi area in 2022. The park is considering options on future recreational uses of these parcels and is seeking community feedback.
The Great Crack was designated as potential wilderness in 1978, forty years before the park acquired it, and prior to when the previous owner bulldozed a private five-mile 4WD road between Highway 11 and the coastal cliffs. Numerous primitive 4WD roads connect to this main road. The Wilderness Act prohibits vehicle use for recreational purposes in wilderness. Ala Waiʻi needs to be evaluated for wilderness eligibility.
Both areas are currently managed by the park as wilderness backcountry and are open to the public for day hiking. Overnight use is allowed with a backcountry permit obtained through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Backcountry Office.
In March 2020 the park intended to host a "talk story" meeting but COVID-19 restrictions prevented gathering. Instead, the park requested written comments to hear the community's ideas for the Great Crack area and learn from local residents about its past but did not receive many comments due to the start of the pandemic.
The park is accepting public comments for the potential future uses and stewardship of both Great Crack and Ala Waiʻi areas, until October 23, 2023.
havo_planning@nps.gov
The Great Crack was designated as potential wilderness in 1978, forty years before the park acquired it, and prior to when the previous owner bulldozed a private five-mile 4WD road between Highway 11 and the coastal cliffs. Numerous primitive 4WD roads connect to this main road. The Wilderness Act prohibits vehicle use for recreational purposes in wilderness. Ala Waiʻi needs to be evaluated for wilderness eligibility.
Both areas are currently managed by the park as wilderness backcountry and are open to the public for day hiking. Overnight use is allowed with a backcountry permit obtained through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Backcountry Office.
In March 2020 the park intended to host a "talk story" meeting but COVID-19 restrictions prevented gathering. Instead, the park requested written comments to hear the community's ideas for the Great Crack area and learn from local residents about its past but did not receive many comments due to the start of the pandemic.
The park is accepting public comments for the potential future uses and stewardship of both Great Crack and Ala Waiʻi areas, until October 23, 2023.
Contact Information
Danielle Fosterhavo_planning@nps.gov