Kilauea Caldera

A caldera is a depression on a volcano that is greater that one kilometer across. The caldera on the top of Kilauea was created when a magma chamber emptied in an eruption. The rock above it was left unsupported and collapsed. The result is a huge, relatively flat-bottomed hole. One can hike down into the caldera on a trail. At the bottom, some small ferns manage to grow in the cracks of the rock and there are a few ‘ohia trees, but it is otherwise barren.

King Kamehameha Statue

One of several similar statues, this representation of King Kamehameha was the first of it’s kind. It was cast in 1880, but the ship carrying it sank en route. Another was commissioned and placed in Honolulu, but the original was found not long after. It was placed in Northern Kohala near the King’s birthplace. King Kamehameha is still respected today because he unified the Hawaiian islands, reducing war and improving trade.

Lava Tube

The Thurston Lava tube in Volcanoes National Park was created about 500 years ago when a river of lava gradually cooled around the edges and along the top and bottom. When the source is cut off the last of the liquid lava flows out of the river, leaving a cave. Lava tubes can vary in size from huge to only a few meters long. The Thurston lava tube is massive and easily accessible thanks to walkways, stairs and electrical lights. Lava tubes are common all over the island but this one is the easiest to see and get to.

Leward

The leward side of the Hawaiian islands is the Southwest side because the Trade Winds come from the Northeast. The trade winds bring most of the islands’ moisture and rainfall. Air rises and cools and water condenses along the mountains leading to precipitation on the Northeast slopes, but little is left over when the clouds get to the other side of the island. The Leward side is dry because it’s in a small rain shadow, but the calmer waters lead to better reef development.

Mauna Loa

Mauna Loa is the massive shield volcano that makes up most of the island of Hawaii. It is the largest volcano on Earth by volume, and it’s highest point is over 13,000 feet above sea level. The name Mauna Loa is Hawaiian for “long mountain”. It’s broad, looming silhouette can be attributed to it’s formation, which was very gradual. The lava that formed it had a low viscosity and the eruptions weren’t explosive, so layers of lava flows built up over time creating the immense mountain. It’s still technically active, but the last eruption occurred in the spring of 1984.