Poorly Developed Soils (Inceptisol)

Typical Characteristics of Inceptisol:

• Formation: Unlike mature soils, these soils lack a well-developed soil profile and are just beginning to develop a B subsurface horizon.
• Productivity: The natural productivity of young soils vary from place to place.

Poorly Developed Soils of Maui:

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SEMIARID, ACIDIC POORLY DEVELOPED SOILS WITH LOW BASE SATURATION (DYSTRUSTEPTS)

• Haliimaile Series
• Kahana Series
• Makaalae Series

WATER SATURATED, POORLY DEVELOPED SOIL (PETRAQUEPT)

• Amalu Series

Unique Characteristics of Poorly Developed Soils of Maui County:

The Kahana Series is the most agriculturally important of the poorly developed soils on Maui.

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• Location: The Kahana series is located in the uplands of West Maui, at elevations between 100 and 1,200 ft. The Kahana Series occupies approximately 2,700 acres of land.
• Texture: Silty clay
• Rainfall and Temperature: The average annual precipitation is between 30 and 45 inches, and the average annual temperature is 73 degrees F.
• Slope: Gentle to moderate
• Parent Material: The parent material of the Kahana Series is basic igneous rock, which was weathered in place.
• Color of Surface Horizon: Dark reddish brown
• Fertility: While Kahana soils may require irrigation, liming, and nutrient additions, it is generally very suitable for crop production.
• Natural Vegetation: guava, koa haole, lantana, and other trees.
• Agriculture Use: pineapple and irrigated sugarcane production, with some use as pastureland.
• Related Soils: Haliimaile and Makaalae Series.