Page 434 - Hawaii: Diving, Surfing, Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes and More

HAWAIIAN AIR POLLUTION: Volcanic Smog, or “VOG”, is Caldera cause the rain to become acidic and lethal to plant life.
formed by gasses spewing out of Kilauea’s Puu Oo vent. 2000 tons
of sulphur dioxide and other noxious fumes rise into the atmos- BLACK SANDS BEACH: Next to the fine volcanic sand at Black
phere every day. Hawaii’s trade winds diminish the effect, but the Sands Beach (Punaluu Beach Park), there are tall, graceful coconut
absence of typical trades sometimes makes VOG a health hazard, palms, a freshwater estuary, and hawksbill turtles grazing on the
even on the lovely Kona Coast, or all the way to Waikiki. The steam algae along the offshore rocks. This protected habitat for the hawks-
plume rising at the sea cliffs when lava pours into the ocean is also bill turtles is also a snorkeling and scuba diving spot full of colorful
laden with hazardous lava haze gasses, referred to as “LAZE”. When corals and reef fish. Surfing is good on summer’s south swells, but
winds take VOG or LAZE over vegetated areas the rains become the current can be very strong.
acidic and damage plants.
MULIWAI A PELE: “Muliwai” translates to “river of lava”. This flow
LAVA HAZE or “LAZE”: Laze forms when molten lava flows into from Mauna Ulu rolled over the road in 1974 .
the sea. When seawater flashes into steam upon contact with lava, MAU LOA O MAUNA ULU: This trailhead sits atop 1969 to 1974
chemical reactions create hydrochloric acid. When the wind blows lava flows Mauna Ulu.PUU HULUHULU
along the shore or inland, it can also mix with precipitation, making
acid rain. Although the lava does not always flow into the sea, it is LOOKOUT: A 1-mile trail over lava fields and past lava trees leads
advised that when it does to be well downwind, and/or not in line up this forested hill to a grand view, including the smoldering Puu
with the LAZE plume, because with or without rain it is corrosive Oo vent 6 miles east.PUU OO Located on the East Rift Zone, the
and hazardous to your health. largest cone on Kilauea arose in 1983 and has been erupting con-
tinuously ever since. In 1990 two small towns, Kalapana and Kaimu,
PUULOA PETROGLYPHS: A 20-minute walk leads to a boardwalk were destroyed by lava flowing from Puu Oo. The size and shape of
around ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs. This area has an astound- Puu Oo are ever changing in the ceaseless volcanic activity.
ing 24,000 etchings, making it one of the world’s largest petroglyph
fields. CAMPING The Park has first-come-first-served, free drive- SCENIC DRIVES WITHIN HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL
in campgrounds at Namakani Paio and Kulanaokuaiki. Both have PARK: Circle Rim Drive 11 mi (17.6 km) loop with 400’ (122m)
water and rest rooms. Namakani Paio even has cabins available elevation change. Favorite vistas and short hikes. Hilina Pali Over-
via the Volcano House Hotel. Primitive hike-in campgrounds are look 18 mi (29 km) round trip with 1400’ (427m) elevation change
shown on the map. Water must be carried with you or treated. on a one-lane road. Summit to Sea 40 mi (65 km) round trip with
3700’ (1127m) elevation change with many lookouts and hikes on
KAU DESERT: This area appears to be a desert even though it Chain of Craters Road.Mauna Loa Road 22 mi (36 km) round trip
receives substantial rainfall. However, fuming gasses from Kilauea climbs 2600’ (792m) up volcano. Most of road is one-lane.