ADAM HAYDOCK

VULCANSPELEOLOGICAL FEATURES ABOVE AND BELOW THE BIG ISLAND HAWAII

Adam Haydock July 10, 2018

Adam Haydock in a Lava Tube cave Big Island Hawaii.

The Big Island of Hawaii has some of the most fascinating Vulcanspeleologcal features on any of the islands and other volcanic regions on the planet.

Kaumana cave big island.

Lava Tubes are like caves as they are underground and can have quite extansive passages. The low viscosity of lava flow develops a continuous flow and hardens which forms a roof above the still flowing lava flow. There can be Lava channels or Pahoehoe flows where the lava is actually moving under the surface.

Heather in Kaumana cave, Big Island

Some lava tubes encase the lava flow and can form different formation like features and red oxidizing properties that give some lava tube caves perspective and color.

Flowers growing on mauna Loa.

On the Big Island of Hawaii, the lava tube feature have some fascinating values as they provide timelines to ancient and recent flows which also can give a future perspective on what lava might do in future eruptions.

Entrance to a lava tube cave.

There are hundreds of Lava Tube caves on the islands of hawaii with a few being commercialized.

on Mauna Loa with Mauna Kea in the background.

Kaumana cave is one of the publicly open access caves that measures to a distance of almost 9000feet of passage.

Mauna Kea

There are many other caves that are protected under various regulations and are on private property so please adhere to the rules of visitation when encountering lava tube caves.

Mauna Loa dormant flowing lavatube.

People should also consider bringing a minimum of three lights, helmet, good shoes, and be prepared for the sharp environment when walking in a lava tube cave.

interesting folding of lava on Mauna Loa

It was unfortunate to see all of the graffiti in one of the commercial caves so lets keep these beautirul caves in pristine condition so generations of people can enjoy them .

entrance of lava tube cave

Some of these Lava tube caves in Hawaii can go for miles and it is impressive to think how much is under these grounds when hiking through the lava fields and high elevation trails.

Adam Haydock in a Lava Tube cave Big Island Hawaii.

I have worked with groups in the past that have studied these caves and I can only imagine what else is out there in the world of vulcanspeleology.

oxidized pahoehoe in a lava tube cave

I am looking forward to visiting the island in the future to continue to photograph some of these amazing caves and features.

oxidized pahoehoe in a lava tube cave

The active lava was occurring when we were on the island but we were not able to make it over to the site of the Kilauea eruption.

a lava tube cave near the airport

Share |

WAIMANU VALLEY, BIG ISLAND HAWAII

Adam Haydock July 10, 2018

Heather in Waimanu Valley, Big Island Hawaii.

Waimanu valley is one of the most incredible hikes that not only can be found in Hawaii but one of the best hikes on the planet. I am of the opinion that Black sand beaches, a beautiful 8 mile hike in a rain forest, diverse flora, 1000ft waterfalls, mountainous terrain, and a place to build your own lean to with a supply of fish and coconuts is hard to come by.

Heather Hiking down the road into Waipio Valley, Big Island Hawaii.

Ancient Hawaiians used this valley to grow Taro, a plant that they were able to create a starchy ingredient called poi.

Waipio Valley Big Island Hawaii

We started off early by checking into the art gallery so we were able to park our car overnight which was 20 dollars a day.

Heather hiking across the river in Waipio Valley.

Our plan is to hike in for a day, hangout in the valley for a day, and than hike out the third day which was a perfect amount of time to get everything done that we wanted to do.

river crossing in Waipio valley.

We walked up on to the lookout and looked down the road that led into the Waipio valley. It was rather steep and I was surprised to see that 4x4 cars could make it up this road in wet conditions.

Heather at the top of the Muliwai trail overlooking the waipio valley. Big Island Hawaii.

Once we got to the bottom we followed the dirt road to the right as I knew that it would lead to the ocean. once we got to the ocean we headed left and continued to walk on the black sand beach over to the river that we needed to cross.

Heather hiking up through the pine groves of the Muliwai trail Big Island Hawaii.

The river crossing was not that bad, we headed up the river bank a bit to a place where the river expanded so the crossing would be shallower and made it across without any issues.

Heather at the top of the Muliwai trail.

We continued to hike across the valley to the woods where the beginning of the Muliwai Trail started and where we would eventually connect to the Waimanu Valley.