General Questions
VCA is a beautiful and lush, mostly forested area, with a diversity of native Ohia and Koa trees, many hapu’u (tree ferns), native undergrowth, and some invasive plants that residents are working to remove. It also provides a home to many native animal and bird species. This pet-friendly area is great for both open and greenhouse gardens, and livestock such as chickens or ducks.
VCA is located east of the Village of Volcano, about one mile north of Route 11 (Hawaii Belt Road), on the east side of Wright Road.
VCA is located in a mountain rainforest. The temperate climate varies so little that it is not meaningful to discuss hot and cold seasons. The temperature of this comfortable, partly cloudy, and windy area is rarely below 48°F or above 79°F. The average high temperatures range from 77°F in August declining to 71°F December through March. The average low temperatures range from 52°F in December through March rising to 58°F in August. There is extreme variation in monthly rainfall, with April having an average of 7.0 inches and June having an average of 2.4 inches. Some months can greatly exceed the averages!
VCA is one of the smaller private road subdivisions on the Island of Hawai’i, in terms of area (about .5 mile by .5 mile, having about 155 acres), number of lots (173), and miles of roads (about 3).
Most of the lots are about one-half acre. There are also some one acre and five acre lots.
All lots are within an A-20a (Agricultural District) zoning. Refer to Hawaii County Code §25-5-70 for specific zoning regulations.
There are still many unbuilt lots. Hawaiian Electric serves most lots via overhead power lines. Hawaiian Telecom and Spectrum use the utility poles to also serve most, but not all, lots. There is no municipal water or sewer system in the development. Residents use a “catchment system” for collecting water runoff from roofs, directing it into large tanks located somewhere on their lots. This water must be treated for safe drinking, and yet owners control what is added to the water. Tank sizes vary, as well as type of tank construction. This system works very well except during rare periods of drought, when water must be bought to fill tanks. Sanitary sewers consist of either septic systems or cesspools. The “Priority 3 Cesspools” in this area, as identified by the State of Hawaii, must be upgraded by 2050.
The two main roads connecting with Wright Road, and the four cross roads connecting with the main roads are all “paved.” Over the years, the original 14-foot-wide design and construction of these roads has been impacted by invasive vegetation. It is the intent of the Board of Directors to gradually restore the original width of all roads.
VCA is a private road subdivision. The VCARMC receives no funds from the State or County of Hawai’i to maintain our private roads. The Hawai’i State Supreme Court has ruled that it is the responsibility of all lot owners to pay an annual road maintenance assessment. The assessment amount is to be determined by the Board of Directors. In addition to roadway maintenance and repairs, the assessments pay for mowing, vegetation control, insurance, and administrative expenses. These costs are indicated in the annual budget.
The amount of the Assessment is determined by the Association Board of Directors. Although there is not an automatic increase of the assessment each year, with the rising costs for roadway materials and labor, supplies, and administrative expenses, the Board debates this issue every year so that necessary road maintenance and repairs can be performed. Deferring maintenance only results in higher costs for roadway replacement in the future.
No. It would be logistically impossible to keep track of the ages of all property owners, especially the ones who do not live here. Also, if a senior discount were to be given to one class of persons, it would have to be given to other classes of persons with special circumstances. The maintenance required is the same for all roads and owners.
There are none by VCARMC within any private lot. However, to maintain the roadways, VCARMC must limit what can be done within the rights-of-way. The Hawaii County Planning Department regulates building types and setbacks. The Hawaii County Building Department regulates construction. All work must be completed within your property lines.
VCA is in Lava Zone 3. For more information, click here.
In general, the purpose of the Board of Directors is to oversee maintenance of the rights-of-way and private roads within Cymbidium Acres. It doesn’t ‘just happen’, and there is no help available from the County for this purpose.
There are four officers, and can be as many as seven directors. Our Bylaws only identify specific tasks for the officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The officers will typically spend more time monthly than directors. The Treasurer position is probably the most time-consuming.
A Board Member will participate in 2-hour board meetings 4 times a year. There are occasional group email discussions about road maintenance topics. There may be participation in a committee for road maintenance related projects. There may be an average of one to two hours of time per month at the most, if even that?
The actual time spent ultimately depends upon a level of wanting to help in this local subdivision community. If, or when, someone joins the Board, the time spent depends upon a level of personal involvement. For instance, some (but not all) Board members participate in a visual survey of the roads once per year, or fill potholes, or spray weed killer. It is up to each Board member, and is not dictated, the level of involvement.
The Treasurer has prepared a list of tasks to be completed annually. There is also a Bookkeeping task list, which in the past have been performed by the Treasurer. To minimize administrative expenses to the Association, it is beneficial to have the Treasurer/Bookkeeper as the same person. If no one volunteers for the combined position, then the Bookkeeping position must be filled by a contracted person. The task list can be found here.