Page 435 - Hawaii: Diving, Surfing, Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes and More

AKATSUKA ORCHID GARDENS: Although outside of Hawaii along the East or Southwest rift zones that extend from the caldera
Volcanoes National Park, this garden, with one of the largest orchid to the sea. Kilauea erupted 45 times during the 20th century. The
collections in Hawaii, is worth your stop. Free self-guided tours re- volcano has been erupting virtually continuously since 1983 from a
veal rare orchids as well as common species from around the world. cone called Puu Oo, which is located on the East Rift Zone.
New orchid varieties are created with cross pollination. Agricultur-
ally inspected orchid plants and flowers can be shipped home. (808) MAUNA LOA: By far the world’s largest mountain, Mauna Loa is
967-8234 considered one of the most potentially dangerous volcanoes in the
world. Towns were destroyed by the volcano in 1926 and 1950,
THE 1984 ERUPTION: Mauna Loa eruptions usually occur in the and in 1984 streaming lava from Mauna Loa’s most recent eruption
Mokuaweoweo summit caldera, then migrate along the rift zones. nearly reached Hilo. One of the world’s most active volcanoes, 98%
The 1984 eruption migrated down to the 9,200 foot level, and flowed of its surface is less than 10,000 years old.
8 miles in the first 24 hours. Within 22 days it was ominously threat-
ening Hilo, just 4 miles out. However, townspeoples’ prayers were AINAPO TRAIL: Extreme hikers climb Mauna Loa’s uplands along
answered as it abruptly stopped. its southwest slope. It is 20.4 mi (33 km) to the park boundary. Hik-
ers follow stone cairns across recent lava flows, pastures, forests, and
MAUNA LOA TRAIL: Extremely challenging 7.5-mile hike from then the alpine stone desert. Register with Hawaii Div. of Forestry &
the Mauna Loa Lookout to a cabin at Red Hill, 10,035 feet (3058m) Wildlife at (808) 974-4221 to hike the lower trail, and with National
high, and then 11.6 miles more to the primitive Mauna Loa summit Park Rangers at (808) 985-6000 to go to the summit. The trailhead is
cabin at 13,250, where the sub-arctic climate can make you freeze, near the 40.5 mi mark on Hwy.
snowy whiteouts happen any day of the year, and altitude sickness is
common. The route follows the Northeast Rift Zone and provides FOOTPRINTS IN ASH: There are local accounts that tell a story of
distant views of 5 volcanoes. The alpine stone desert begins at 9000 Hawaiian warriors that were overcome by a hot, pyroclastic gas and
feet (2953m), and leads across many-colored fields of cinder, a-a, and ash explosion in 1790, killing them all. Other warriors who came
pahoehoe to the Mokuaweoweo Caldera. The round trip is a 3 to through, finding their dead brethren, left their footprints in the
4 day ordeal. Registration with the National Park Visitor Center is fresh Kau desert ash to be preserved until a geologist accidentally
required. The trail begins where Mauna Loa Road ends. Info: (808) discovered them in 1919.
985-6000.
J MAUNA LOA LOOKOUT: Spectacular view and picnic at 6662
feet (2031m) elevation. The drive up is 11 miles, 8 miles of which are
on a one-lane road.KILAUEA The most active volcano in the world.
Eruptions at Kilauea occur primarily from the summit caldera or