LOCATION MAWAE                   HI

Established Series
Rev. MRK-RTG
06/2012

MAWAE SERIES

The Mawae series consists of moderately deep, well drained soils. These soils formed in organic material mixed with minor amounts of basic volcanic ash in `a`a lava. Slopes range from 2 to 20 percent. The mean annual rainfall is about 890 millimeters (35 inches), and the mean annual temperature is about 13 degrees C (55 degrees F).

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Euic, isomesic Typic Ustifolists

TYPICAL PEDON: Mawae very cobbly highly decomposed plant material, on a west facing, slightly convex, 12 percent slope under forest at an elevation of 1393 meters (4570 feet). (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise noted. All textures are "apparent field textures." pH measured with organic dyes. When described on February 18, 1997, the soil was moist throughout.)

Oa/2C1--0 to 13 centimeters (0 to 5 inches); black (5YR 2.5/1) very cobbly highly decomposed plant material; weak very fine and fine granular structure; very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; moderately smeary; many roots; many very fine pores; 50 percent angular `a`a cobbles; moderately acid (pH 5.8); the 2C part of this horizon consists of unconsolidated `a`a lava fragments of variable size; clear irregular boundary. (5 to 25 centimeters {2 to 10 inches} thick)

2C2--13 to 102 centimeters (5 to 40 inches); cobbles; fragmental `a`a lava with very little soil material; 95 percent angular `a`a cobbles.

2R--102 centimeters (40 inches); hard massive `a`a blue rock.

TYPE LOCATION: Island of Hawaii, Hawaii County, Hawaii; from Gaspar's Dairy (northwest quadrant of Kaunene Quadrangle), drive northeast for 0.4 miles, turn east onto 4WD road and drive 0.2 miles; pedon is located 72 meters (235 feet) southwest of 4WD road. Kaunene Quadrangle; lat. 19 degrees 29 minutes 9.3 seconds N. and long. 155 degrees 49 minutes 4.0 seconds W. (old Hawaiian Datum)

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS:
Depth to bedrock: 50 to 102 centimeters (20 to 40 inches)
Mean annual soil temperature: 13 to 15 degrees C (55 to 59 degrees F).
Rock fragments: 60 to 90 percent by volume of the pedon and range in size from gravel to stones, but are primarily gravel and cobble size lava rocks.
Organic carbon (by weight): 25 to 30 percent of the less than 2.0 mm soil material.

Oa/2C1 horizon
Hue: 5YR to 10YR.
Value: 2 or 3 moist or dry.
Chroma: 1 or 2 moist or dry.
Texture: Very or extremely cobbly highly decomposed plant material.
Soil reaction: Moderately acid or slightly acid (pH 5.6 to 6.5).

COMPETING SERIES: There are no competing series. Similar soils include Kaimu, Kapua, and Puna series. Kaimu soils have a mean annual soil temperature that ranges from 22 to 25 degrees C (72 to 77 degrees F). Kapua soils have a mean annual soil temperature that ranges from 18 to 22 degrees C (65 to 72 degrees F). Puna soils have a mean annual soil temperature that ranges from 18 to 21 degrees C (65 to 70 degrees F).

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Mawae soils are on upper elevation, leeward slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes at an elevation from 1067 to 2134 meters (3500 to 7000 feet). These soils are on all hillslope components of constructional landscapes consisting of undulating to hilly `a`a lava flows that are 1,500 to 3,000 years old. Slope gradients range from 2 to 20 percent. The soils formed mainly in organic material consisting of decomposed leaves, twigs, and wood; and to a lesser degree basic volcanic ash and weathered lava. The mean annual rainfall ranges from 510 to 1270 millimeters (20 to 50 inches), with most of the rainfall occurring from April through October. The mean annual pan evaporation ranges from 1020 to 1780 millimeters (40 to 70 inches). The mean annual temperature ranges from 12 to 14 degrees C (53 to 57 degrees F). The mean summer soil temperature and the mean winter soil temperature differ by less than 6 degrees C (11 degrees F).

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are Hapuu, Hokukano, Kealoha, Kekake, Manahaa, and Puukala series. Hapuu soils are sandy-skeletal. Hokukano soils are medial. Kealoha and Puukala soils are medial-skeletal. Kekake soils are organic soils over pahoehoe lava. Manahaa soils are hydrous.

DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well drained. Runoff is negligible in depressions on gentle slopes and very low to low on steeper slopes. Permeability is rapid.

USE AND VEGETATION: Used for wildlife habitat. The natural vegetation is ohia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), treefern (Cibotium chamissoi), amaumau fern (Sadleria cyatheoides), ieie vine (Freycinetia arborea), and mamaki (Pipturus albidus).

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: North and South Kona districts, Island of Hawaii; MLRA 161B. The series is of moderate extent.

MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: Davis, California.

SERIES ESTABLISHED: Island of Hawaii, Hawaii County, Hawaii, 1971.

REMARKS: Soil moisture - usually moist, but dry in some or all parts for short intermittent periods totaling 90 or more days in most years (Ustic moisture regime).

Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon include:
Sapric soil materials - from 0 to 13 centimeters (0 to 5 inches) (Oa/2C1 horizon).
Lithic contact - at 102 centimeters (40 inches)

ADDITIONAL DATA: NASIS User Pedon ID 93HI002021.

Edit log: 11/3/99 Classification revised due to changes in Soil Taxonomy. Old Classification: Euic, isomesic Typic Tropofolists. Type location moved to a representative site. Competing series have been updated. MRK

---

National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.