Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
The most common soil here is Lithic Ustipsamments, on about 2% of the land. Kanohina and Ihuanu come next.
About 74% of the land drains well.
USDA rates all of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 97% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 94% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Andisols — soils formed in volcanic ash, very light and porous. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lava flows, `a`a, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 111K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lava flows, pahoehoe, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 77K | C | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Lava flows complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 32K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lava flows-Lithic Ustipsamments complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kanohina-Lava flows complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nakanui-Lava flows complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lithic Haplustands-Lava flows complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lava flows-Apuki complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Makaopuhi very paragravelly highly decomposed plant material, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Puaulu-Hao complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kalapana-Lava flows complex, dry, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Puhimau ashy silt loam, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ahiu-Lava flows complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alahapa-Lava flows complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ihuanu-Lava flows, `a`a complex, 10 to 20 percent slopes, MLRA 160 | 3K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Iwalani-Lava flows complex, 10 to 20 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kalapana medial coarse sandy loam, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lava flows association, 40 to 99 percent slopes | 3K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lava flows-Iwalani complex, 10 to 20 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kilauea very gravelly ashy sand, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 100% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.