Lava Tree State Monument is a public park located southeast of
Pāhoa in the
Puna District on the
island of Hawaii
Hawaii is the List of islands of the United States by area, largest island in the United States, located in the Hawaii, state of Hawaii, the southernmost state in the union. It is the southeasternmost of the Hawaiian Islands, a chain of volcani ...
.
It preserves
lava molds of the tree trunks that were formed when a
lava
Lava is molten or partially molten rock (magma) that has been expelled from the interior of a terrestrial planet (such as Earth) or a Natural satellite, moon onto its surface. Lava may be erupted at a volcano or through a Fissure vent, fractu ...
flow swept through a forested area in 1790.
Park Information
Features
A footpath forms a loop through the park.
Like all
Hawaii state parks, there is no charge for parking and entry. Facilities include restrooms, picnic tables, and 3 covered structures to provide refuge from the rain or sun. It is open daily during daylight hours only, since there are no lights on the path.
No camping, and no mountain bikes are allowed in the park. There are no water fountains at the park; bring your own water. Although there is a paved path, tree roots have lifted and separated parts of the path so toddlers and the elderly may need assistance.
Directions
From the
Hawaii Belt Road (State Route 11), take Highway 130, known as Keaau-Pāhoa Road, toward the town of
Pāhoa.
Bypass the first intersection that would take you into Pāhoa by staying to the left. Continue to the traffic light where Pāhoa Bypass Road, Keaau-Pāhoa Rd and Pāhoa-Kapoho roads meet.
At this intersection, make a left onto Highway 132, Pāhoa-Kapoho Road.
Continue for about to Lava Tree Road on your left.
The park is located on your right, about down Lava Tree Road.
History
The land was once part of the extensive ranch of
William Herbert Shipman.
Although
ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii is the period of Hawaiian history preceding the establishment in 1795 of the Kingdom of Hawaii by Kamehameha the Great. Traditionally, researchers estimated the first settlement of the Hawaiian islands as having occurred sporad ...
ans knew the molds were from a lava flow, one of the first to propose that they were from former trees was
Rufus Anderson Lyman
Rufus Anderson Lyman (June 23, 1842 – July 4, 1910) was a son of a missionary who became a lawyer and politician in the Kingdom of Hawaii, founded the Paauhau Sugar Plantation Company, and had many notable descendants.
Life
He was born on Jun ...
.
It was closed in May 2018 due to the
eruption of Kīlauea when lava flows approached the park.
Gallery
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC02.JPG, Path
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC03.JPG, Lava Trees
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC04.JPG, Shelter
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC05.JPG, Lava Trees
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC06.JPG, Lava Trees
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC07.JPG, Lava Trees and path
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC09.JPG, Inside view of lava tree with moss
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC10.JPG, Large lava tree that fell and broke apart
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC11.JPG, Lava tree
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC13.JPG, Lava formation inside one of the lava trees
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC14.JPG, Plant life
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC15.JPG, Plant life
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC16.JPG, Orchid growing in the wild
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC19.JPG, Plant life near deep cut in the ground
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC23.JPG, Plant life with morning dew
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC26.JPG, Plant life and moss growing inside trunk of lava tree
References
External links
Official site"Tree Molds"
USGS Photo Glossary page
on Hawaiiweb.com (archived)
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State parks of Hawaii
Protected areas of Hawaii (island)