Exploring Lava Tubes

Though it may be a little hard to imagine being illuminated about volcanism, biology, medical science and ancient Hawaiian culture while standing in a cave so dark you can’t even see your hand in front of your face, that’s exactly what you can get when you go lava tubing.

These caves form when spatter from a river of lava gradually builds up walls and a ceiling. Then, when the flow of lava stops and the last of it passes downhill, a cave is formed. These caves can be a few feet high and only yards long, or they can stretch for miles with high ceilings. Your flashlight reveals beautiful shapes and colors of minerals leeching from the rock. Waterdrops from the ceiling plopping into a puddle sound like music.

There are several lava tubes you can visit around the island. The quickest and easiest is Nahuku, commonly known as Thurston Lava Tube, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Lit by electric lights, with a flat rock floor and a ceiling high enough in the center to keep you from scraping your head, this is nevertheless a great introduction to lava tube geology. The solidified drips, droops and waves of once-liquid lava rock clearly show the molten forces that created this cave.

After strolling the short, lighted section of Nahuku, there’s another segment past the steps leading back up the trail that’s completely dark with an uneven floor, so don’t venture there unless you are sure-footed and have a strong flashlight. But for the able-bodied adventurer, a walk of 50 yards or so into this part of the lava tube will give you an intense experience, especially when you turn off your flashlight and wonder what kind of life could exist here.

To find out, you can sign up for a weekly guided hike to another lava tube in the national park. The Wed. morning hike to Pua Po‘o is led by a park ranger who explains not only how volcanic forces formed the cave which stretches miles toward the ocean, but also the rare forms of life (including a blind spider and a mold that holds promise as a cancer cure) that cling to the moist walls. To reserve one of just 12 spots, call (808-985-6017) or stop in at the Visitors Center at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at 7:45 a.m. the Wed. before you want to go. Call or visit as close as you can to 7:45 to better your chances of snagging a spot on this popular hike.

There are also some great commercial lava tube adventures on Hawaii Island.

DiscoverHawaiiTours.com includes a stop at Nahuku in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as part of their Big Island Grand Volcanoes tour. (800) 946-4432.

Hawai‘i Forest & Trail features lava tube walks on a few of its eco-adventures around the island. Besides a guided walk through Nahuku, they also go to Kaumana Cave on the outskirts of Hilo and Katie’s Cave in the Kona District. Or you can take a private charter tour to Hualalai Ranch Cave. (800) 464-1993.

The guides at Kilauea Caverns of Fire take you into the Kazamura lava tubes about halfway between Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This is said to be among the longest discovered lava tube systems in the world. In some areas this tube system, which is thought to be between 500-700 years old, is 80 feet high and 100 feet wide. (808) 217-2363.

Warren Costa of Native Guide Hawaii takes his guests to both the lit and unlit sections of Nahuku, and to Kaumana Cave. Like the guides with other outfits, Warren explains the geologic forces that form lava tubes. He also describes how Native Hawaiians used the caves, sometimes for storage or shelter, sometimes as secret burial sites. “Everyone likes it when we turn out all of the lights!” says Warren. (808) 982-7575.

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