Page 93 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

70 The Americas

those so inclined. Recreational caving is defined as Though Table 4.1 is an extensive list, the
‘caving purely for the joy of the experience’ principal threats to Hawaiian lava tubes are general
–
(Webb, 2004, p621). The popularity of caving is land clearing, Ohi‘a tree removal, pollution (Harry
clearly revealed by the numerous cave‑related sites Shick, personal communication), vandalism and
and links on the web (Webb, 2004). Off‑island unrestricted entry by visitors. Hawai‘i state law
spelunkers usually contact local cavers or ‘grottos’ now protects lava tubes and their contents from
(cave clubs) when planning such activities to vandalism, looting, pollution and disturbance of
enquire about permits needed and if a club cave organisms. State law also outlines the
member with local knowledge is available to requirements of lawful legal commercial entry
accompany them. (Hawai‘i State Legislature, 2002). While spelunkers
are aware that there are usually permissions required
Threats to Big Island lava to enter caves, the casual cave visitor may be
tube caves unaware of cave etiquette and lava tube cave
Big Island lava tubes face a variety of threats as protection laws.
In fact, when individuals or groups with little
subterranean environments are much more or no caving experience accidentally discover or
vulnerable to negative impacts than surface seek out a cave entrance, and with no prior
environments (Watson et al, 1997). Threats such as experience or knowledge ‘explore the cave’, the
road works or land development activities may cave and its contents, as well as these ‘casual cave
result in the complete destruction or partial tourists’, are at risk from their activities (Webb,
collapse of particular lava tubes. Tree clearing or 2004). Sometimes casual cave visitors are Big
other changes to the surface environment above Island residents who are unaware of the special
lava tubes (Figure 4.2) contribute to cumulative values of Hawaiian lava tubes. Three examples
impacts that occur slowly over decades and illustrate the common problem of the Big Island
potentially irreparably alter the cave environment casual ‘cave tourist’:
while a careless moment by a clumsy cave visitor
can damage or destroy a cave feature in an instant
(Watson et al, 1997). Table 4.1 details the threats to • In Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a group
Big Island lava tubes and their contents. of 30 ill‑informed Germans sought out and

Figure 4.2 A bulldozer unknowingly clearing land above a lava tube on the Big Island breaks through the roof and falls
into the lava tube

Source: Photo courtesy of Orchidland Estates

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