Black cinder is a volcanic material that is formed when gas bubbles in molten lava burst and cool rapidly, creating a lightweight, porous material.

Itʻs limited in supply, expensive, and difficult to access — but is useful for horticulture and agriculture because it can retain moisture, provide good drainage, and stimulate plant growth. Black cinder is also used in landscaping and construction because its lightweight and porous nature can help reduce the overall weight of structures and provide insulation.

Increased accessibility to a supply of black cinder can have a long-term economic benefit for Hawaiʻi.

In 2021, Vice Speaker Ilagan introduced HB 834, which was passed into law. HB 834 (Act 191) appropriated $150,000 for the Department of Human Resources and County of Hawaii to survey potential sites to mine black cinder and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

This bill aims to diversify the Big Island economy. Having black cinder produced locally would support our floriculture industry, which is a major export industry that doesn’t rely on tourism.

There could be several environmental benefits to producing black cinder locally in Hawaii:

  1. Reduced carbon footprint: Importing black cinder from other locations can result in significant carbon emissions from transportation.
  2. Increased use of sustainable materials: Black cinder is a natural and sustainable material that can be used in place of less eco-friendly materials. Encouraging its use could help reduce the environmental impact of industries like construction and landscaping.
  3. Reduced waste: Black cinder can be a byproduct of volcanic activity, and it often accumulates in large quantities. Instead of allowing black cinder to accumulate and potentially become a waste problem, we can extract it and turn it into a valuable resource that benefits the local economy.

Overall, producing black cinder locally in Hawaiʻi could have several environmental benefits, while also supporting the local economy and providing valuable resources for industries like floriculture, horticulture, and landscaping.