Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a United States National Park located on the island of Hawaiʻi. Established in 1916, it encompasses two of the world's most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The park protects a vast and dynamic landscape that ranges from sea level to the summit of Mauna Loa, offering profound insights into Hawaiian geology, ecology, and Native Hawaiian culture.

History

The area's significance was first recognized scientifically during the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi era, with pivotal studies conducted by figures like William Ellis and later scientists from the Smithsonian Institution. In 1916, it was designated as Hawaii National Park, a single entity that also included Haleakalā on Maui. The park's creation was championed by individuals such as Lorrin A. Thurston and Thomas Jaggar, who founded the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. It was redesignated under its current name in 1961 after the sections were administratively separated. Key events in its history include the 1960 Kapoho eruption and the transformative Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption that began in 1983.

Geology and volcanism

The park is a global showcase for hotspot volcanism, where the Pacific Plate moves over a stationary mantle plume. Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, features the summit caldera containing Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the East Rift Zone. Mauna Loa is the planet's largest shield volcano by volume. Eruptive activity is monitored by the United States Geological Survey and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Notable eruptions include the 1959 Kīlauea Iki event, the 2018 Lower Puna eruption that reshaped the Puna district, and the ongoing activity within Halemaʻumaʻu that began in 2020. The park also contains the massive Kīlauea Iki crater and the dramatic Chain of Craters Road.

Ecology

The park encompasses a remarkable array of ecosystems stratified by elevation. These include coastal strands at ʻĀpua Point, arid low shrublands, expansive tropical rainforests like those in the Ōlaʻa Forest, and the subalpine zones of Mauna Loa. It is a critical refuge for numerous endemic and endangered species, such as the nēnē (Hawaiian goose), the ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel), and the ʻio (Hawaiian hawk). The unique honeycreeper radiation is represented by birds like the ʻapapane and the critically endangered ʻakikiki. Plant life features the towering ʻōhiʻa lehua and the rare Hawaiian lobelioids.

Visitor information

Primary access is via Hawaii Route 11 from either Hilo or Kailua-Kona. The Kīlauea Visitor Center near the park entrance provides orientation. Major attractions include the Crater Rim Drive around Kīlauea Caldera, the Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku), the hike across Kīlauea Iki, and the scenic drive down Chain of Craters Road to the coast. The Jaggar Museum (currently closed) and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overlook offer volcanic views. Backcountry hiking requires permits, with trails crossing the Kaʻū Desert or ascending Mauna Loa toward the Mauna Loa Observatory.

Cultural significance

The landscape is deeply sacred in Native Hawaiian tradition, considered the home of the deity Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire. Numerous heiau (temples), petroglyph fields like those at Puʻu Loa, and historic trails such as the Puna-Kaʻū Historic Trail are preserved within the park. The area is integral to Hawaiian mythology and oral histories, with place names and chants documenting volcanic events. It was also the site of a National Guard camp during World War II. The park works with organizations like the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to steward these cultural resources.

Category:National parks in Hawaii Category:Volcanoes of Hawaii Category:Protected areas established in 1916