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+--- Thread: Pukas / Cracks / Ect (/showthread.php?tid=13508)
Pukas / Cracks / Ect - microage97 - 04-23-2014
All,
How do most people deal with pukas and cracks on the lava? I have been hand clearing my Orchidland land lot and I am about 1/2 done and I am wondering how to deal with pukas and cracks. Some of the cracks in the lava are kind of deep and could pose a danger to kids. It looks as though there was some good sized lava tubes running across the lot so there is numerous rock piles and scattered rocks around. I would like to be able to walk across the lot without picking my way through so I am guessing I will need to relocate the rocks to the cracks ect.
My plan is to only bulldoze a drive and house pad / garage/ catchment.
Dave
RE: Pukas / Cracks / Ect - leilaniguy - 04-23-2014
On my place I've dealt with pukas, some opening up on trails or in the lawn, those I filled with rocks, just temporary because they eventually cave in, so those got a layer of concrete mix on the top which has worked well. The easiest way to deal with pukas and cracks that are out of the way is to drop a banana plant, hapuu cutting, ti or torch ginger down the hole. They've all grown just fine and make a good permanent marker.
RE: Pukas / Cracks / Ect - dayna - 04-23-2014
My neighbors planted trees in all their big cracks/pukas. It's worked out well for them and made for some nice landscaping.
Dayna
http://www.FarmingAloha.com
www.E-Z-Caps.com
RE: Pukas / Cracks / Ect - csgray - 04-23-2014
You could use the loose rocks to build low walls around the cracks and pukas, then throw your compost inside that and eventually you will be able to plant them.
Carol
RE: Pukas / Cracks / Ect - kalakoa - 04-23-2014
quote:
neighbors planted trees in all their big cracks/pukas.
Second this -- some of the big fissures have good drainage for citrus and avocado.
RE: Pukas / Cracks / Ect - unknownjulie - 04-23-2014
Someone told me of a neighbor that had thrown all their glass jars/bottles into the pukas and over time, filled them in. I almost broke my leg one time falling into one, on my lot in Orchidland. That is one nice thing about a D9 rip and roll job.
RE: Pukas / Cracks / Ect - microage97 - 04-23-2014
Some cracks like 20' deep! I have to make sure to weed eat down until I am sure it is solid. I have been surprised a couple of times. It looks like the Ohia naturally grow on the edges of the pukas. Maybe it is because their roots need a way down into the lava.... I wonder if I can back fill around them gently without beating up there roots?
Basically the lava tube ran through the center of the lot and appeared to be like 50-100' wide and about 20' deep or so. It looks like a river bed made with lava.
Still hard to tell what the lava looks like. I have knocked everything to the ground and the material covering the rocks is slowly coming off. Seems there is 1-3" or organic material covering everything. I planted some clover so hopefully I can save some of it and keep the growth at bay a bit.
RE: Pukas / Cracks / Ect - unknownjulie - 04-23-2014
This is how my lot is too! I am up on 39th and I think you are near me. I had to get the D9 in there. It just seemed impossible to deal with it any other way. I gotta hand it to you... Huge amount of work to try and deal with it by hand!
RE: Pukas / Cracks / Ect - microage97 - 04-24-2014
Where at? I am on the corner of Aulii and 39th. Amazing the amount of trash I have cleaned up so far. It is hard work, but the right tools make it somewhat easier. I bought a stihl fs130r bush cutter and it really will knock down all the weeds / vegetation you will encounter except the woody bushes with the .130 line. You could go with the blade but it probably would last long with all the rocks and undulations in the lava.
RE: Pukas / Cracks / Ect - unknownjulie - 04-25-2014
I'm over close to Pohaku. I get the roads all mixed up, but I think you are close. BTW, I planted a couple hundred dollars worth of perenial peanut- and the jungle has basically overgrown it. Huge challenge out here to keep things clear. Are you building right away? I think that may be the only way to keep it clear. Constant vigilance. I only go out every couple weeks. (I live in Hilo)