This is Pele's domain. takes, Pele is unpredictable house. Na Maka chased her Pele, a daughter of Haumea and tempestuous, as only a away from there too. And the Earth Mother and proud and jealous female so the pursued Pele ran, Wakea the Sky Father, is can be. She does not ask from place to place, from the goddess of fire, the for love. She demands O'ahu to Moloka'i, to Lana'i, E Pele e! maker of mountains, melter respect. Here you must to Kaho'olawe, Molokini, Hawaii Volcanoes of rocks, eater of forests, "step lightly, for you are on and Maui, each in turn; and 0 Goddess of the burning stones. and burner of lands- holy ground," the Hawaiians from each successive home, Life for me. Life for you. creator and destroyer both said in days of old. the unrelenting Na Maka National Park in one. She appears among The myth makers said drove her out. At length, The flowers of fire wave gently. mortal men sometimes as a that Pele came to the Ha­ weary of being so harried, Here is your offering... beautiful young woman, waiian Islands long ago, in Pele dug deep and built tempting them, oftener as a flight from a cruel older high on the island of Ha­ wrinkled old hag, testing sister, the goddess of the wai'i. Here, at last, in these them. Whatever form she sea, Na Maka o Kaha'i. Pele huge fortress-mountains, went first to Ni'ihau, making she has found a refuge from a crater home there with Na Maka o Kaha'i, at least her digging stick. Na Maka for the while. broke into that shallow pit, forcing Pele to flee again. On Kaua'i she dug a greater

The wiliwili (above, top) is a typical lowland forest tree, one of the few in Hawai'i that lose FIERY ISLANDS IN THE SEA intervals. Utimately, the volcano ceases to grow: it becomes past Cape Kumakahi and into the sea beyond. Several their leaves each year. extinct. eruptions have occurred in the summit crater of Halemau- Kilauea Iki trail crosses the floor of Kilauea Iki Crater The Hawaiians of old told many myths and stories about At present, the volcanic mountains Kilauea and Mauna mau also, and a few have broken out along the southwest (above), where still-molten lava their homeland, and the myth recounted above is just one Loa here on the island of Hawai'i are linked most directly rift zone extending into Ka'u. lies under your feet beneath the surface. of many about Pele, the volcano goddess. The early to the source of magma beneath the Pacific Plate. The other Since 1969 repeated eruptions have created a new mountains in the Hawaiian chain have been carried beyond Recently active Mauna Ulu (left) storytellers were fine poets, perceptive observers of people, parasitic lava shield in Mauna Ulu, "Growing Mountain," created a new shield on the east and excellenr students of nature. They were aware of many their sources of supply. As a result, some are extinct, such on the east rift zone. In the first 5 years of its existence, rift of Kilauea that you can see things about their islands that are being explained today by as those farthest to the northwest: like a slow-moving Mauna Ulu's vents poured out enough lava to fill up two from the Chain of Craters Road. modern research methods. Their account of the succession assembly line, the Pacific Plate has carried them away from pit craters; to build a new lava shield 122 meters (400 of Pele's homes, for example, agrees with the relative ages the foundry that made them. Those at the southeastern feet) above the level of the surrounding area; to bury or assigned to the islands by geologists—Ni'ihau and Kaua'i end—especially Haleakala, Mauna Kea, and Hualalai— block off 19 kilometers (12 miles) of park road—burying are indeed the oldest, the island of Hawai'i is certainly the are dormant, awaiting the time when magma might rise some sections of it under more than 90 meters (300 feet) youngest. But now geologists and volcanologists can tell us within them and lava will flow again from their vents. of rock; to cover 4,050 hectares (10,000 acres) of park facts that the original Hawaiians would have had no way of land; and, where the flows entered the ocean, to add about knowing. By including shoals and atolls between Ni'ihau The mountain retreats into the sea—The oldest, north- 80 hectares (200 acres) to the island's area. and Ocean Island, the Hawaiian Chain has been extended westernmost islands have died long since, worn away by the Active though they are, Hawai'i's volcanoes are rela­ .VGPO 1989-242-342/80036 far beyond the limits known to its first inhabitants. And action of the ocean through which they rose. The sea has tively gentle. Violent outbursts—characterized by tre­ volcanologists have increased our understanding of the claimed their bodies, and soon it will roll over their heads. mendous explosions, destructive earthquakes, clouds of manner in which these islands were made. Their successors, too, are doomed to this same fate. poisonous gases, showers of hot mud, and rains of erupted LAVA TUBES Many forces have destroyed those older islands. Even rocks—have occurred only twice in recorded history. Both Lava tubes (left and below) are made when a crust forms over The fires begin—The islands in the Hawaiian while they were growing, their own immense weight caused happened at Kilauea, one about 1790, the other in 1924. the surface of a pahoehoe flow. archipelago are only the very rops of immense mountains the ocean floor to sag under them, and they began to sink. The crust cools, thickens, and The eruption of 1924 seems to have been caused by the stops moving, while the core of that have been built up from the bottom of the sea during While that slow subsidence was happening, the agencies of build-up of great steam pressure, generated when ground lava beneath still advances downhill. When the fluid lava the last 25 million years. They have been created by erosion attacked the parts standing above the surface of water came in contact with hot rocks below the caldera. drains away, a cavity remains eruptions of molten rock forced up from earth's mantle the sea: scouring wind, rains, streams, and ocean waves The steam pressure blew out a great part of the volcanic that resembles a tunnel, often with a flat floor and an arched through fractures in the planet's thin crust, which here is cut down the mountains, leveled the cliffs, stole the soil, conduit's plug of solidified rock, scattering stones and other ceiling. Most lava tubes are serving as the floor of the ocean. ate away the islands' very bones. Because volcanic activity debris for several kilometers. The explosion enlarged the short and shallow, being little more than vaults, but some are Beneath this region, in earth's mantle, a deep-seated had ended, no new deposits of lava replaced the parts that diameter of Halemaumau from about 360 meters (1,200 9 to 15 meters (30 to 50 feet) high and several kilometers source of heat melts the rocks around ir. This fluid rock, had been worn away. Today, for such an island nothing is feet) to about 900 meters (3,000 feet), and left a hole long. Thurston lava tube in the called magma, then rises through the overlying crust to left above the sea except perhaps an atoll; the volcanic some 400 meters (1,300 feet) deep. park is a modest example com­ pared with those that have been produce the volcanoes. Magma that flows from volcanoes island has drowned, leaving only a lei of reef and sand as In general, however, Kilauea's eruptions are mild, and found near Hilo and in recent over the surface of the earth is called lava. its memorial, seeming to float upon the waves of the con­ by far the greatest part of the material it releases appears flows from Mauna Ulu. quering sea. in the form of slowly moving lava flows. The lava, gases, A mountain arises—At first, the lava escaping through The younger islands in the Hawaiian chain still hold and cinders issuing from the vents can be dangerous, of volcanic vents in the crust flowed out upon the ocean floor. heads and shoulders high above the water. Yet for them, course. Lava flows have destroyed forests, crops, houses, Gradually, as magma continued to rise from the mantle, too, the processes of dying have begun. In the course of and other property, even villages, on occasion. successive eruptions of lava built up a submarine mountain implacable time, all these islands will disappear into the sea. And beyond any doubt, Pele can be capricious. In around each vent. As layer upon layer of lava was de­ Na Maka o Kaha'i will triumph in the end. Surely this the past, before scientists learned enough about her posited, the volcano grew broader and higher, until even­ must be one of the greatest causes of Pele's rage. behavior, she would pop up in unpredictable places at most tually it rose far above the surface of the sea. This type unexpected times. Now, however, they know enough about of volcano with rather gentle slopes is called a shield vol­ her humors to be able to anticipate most, if not all, of cano. HAWAI'I—THE BIG ISLAND those fiery tantrums. As long as the conduits that feed magma into a shield Even so, geologists, who regard earth processes in terms volcano can receive fresh supplies of melted rock, the By far the largest island in the archipelago, Hawai'i is of eons, are understandably reluctant to predict the near also one of earth's most prodigious volcanic constmctions. LAVA-PAHOEHOE The ocean floor lies more than 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) LAVA- A'A Hawaiian volcanoes release lava below its beaches; the highest point on Mauna Kea is 'A'a is the form of lava that solid­ in two different physical forms ifies in a jumble of relatively — different in appearance, but 4,205 meters (13,796 feet) above sea level; and Mauna Loa small clinker-like rocks having identical in chemical composi­ is 4,159 meters (13,667 feet) high. Measured from the extremely rough surfaces. tion. Most lava is erupted as Pahoehoe lava emerging from a ERUPTION BULLETINS pahoehoe. When a pahoehoe ocean floor, these shield volcanoes are considered to be the vent may change to 'a'a even ADMINISTRATION flow solidifies, its surface is greatest mountain masses on earth. Geologists also tell us while the flow is still moving: as You can get up-to-date information about on-going black and relatively smooth. (No the temperature and gas content eruptions or potential activity by calling (808) Hawaii Volcanoes National Park water resources, protecting our wonder pahoehoe was the name that it took Mauna Loa about 3 million years to attain its of the pahoehoe are reduced, the is administered by the National fish and wildlife, preserving the Hawaiians gave to black satin size: 2 million to reach the surface of the ocean and lava becomes more viscous and 967-7977 day or night. The automatic answering Park Service, U.S. Department environmental and cultural material when they first saw it!) congeals as 'a'a. service is updated whenever Kilauea or Mauna Loa of the Interior. A superintend­ values of our national parks and Generally, because of the way perhaps another million to make that vast mound of stone ent, whose address is Hawaii historical places, and providing this kind of lava flows and show signs of change. cools, the smooth surface is now visible above sea level. Volcanoes National Park, HI for the enjoyment of life through Because eruptions are the most exciting events at 96718, is in immediate charge. outdoor recreation. The Depart­ interrupted by wrinkles, billows, Although Mauna Loa appears to be so much bigger, His offices are at park head­ ment assesses our energy and rope-like coilings, and other Hawaii Volcanoes, temporary road signs will direct quarters, Hilo entrance. mineral resources and works to deformations. Kilauea is an impressive shield volcano in its own right. It you to access or vantage points where you can con­ assure that their development rises about 6,700 meters (22,000 feet) above the ocean As the Nation's principal conser­ is in the best interests of all our front the power of these events when conditions are vation agency, the Department people. The Department also mountain will continue to grow. But the Hawaiian Islands floor; its height above sea level is slightly more than 1,200 of the Interior has responsibility has a major responsibility for safe. for most of our nationally owned American Indian reservation rest upon a portion of earth's crust known as the Pacific meters (4,000 feet). Both are counted among earth's most future. Some have ventured to say, however, that before public lands and natural re­ Communities and for people active volcanoes. sources. This includes fostering who live in Island Territories Plate, and this plate is moving slowly toward the north­ volcanic activity on Hawai'i Island ends, the entire surface FOR YOUR SAFETY the wisest use of our land and under U.S. administration. west, at the rate of 5 to 8 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) Kilauea's activity is evident almost everywhere within the of Mauna Loa and Kilauea will be covered again, at least Be aware of these special hazards at Hawaii each year. bounds of this park. Recently, its most frequent and spec­ once, with fresh lava. Volcanoes. tacular displays have been presented along the east rift zone. And oceanographers have found evidence suggesting that Please stay on trails. The surface of Kilauea is The fire dies—Because of this movement, contact Sometimes magma pushes its way through lateral conduits someday Pele may abandon her present homes completely. laced with deep cracks, and many of these are between the source of magma and the conduits within the and flows from vents in a volcano's sides instead of in its She has built many mountains upon the ocean's floor to hidden by vegetation. Recent lava flows are shelly volcano cannot be maintained. After a time, that contact summit crater—usually along the structural weaknesses the southeast. One such seamount is already about 4,600 and collapse easily. is kept only with difficulty, and in a sense, the mountain is in a shield volcano known as rift zones. Kilauea has two meters (15,000 feet) high. If ever she lifts any of these Fumes from volcanoes can compound respiratory starved to death, gradually perhaps, but inexorably. Sur­ such rift zones. One extends from the caldera toward the above the surface of the waves, beyond the reach of vindic­ problems. If in doubt, heed the warning signs. National Park Service face eruptions of lava occur less frequently after contact southwest, through Ka'u. The other, which includes the tive Na Maka o Kaha'i, who can tell what new monument A number of trails lie along the edges of cliff tops, U.S. Department of the Interior is broken, and the volcano may remain dormant for long Chain of Craters, extends east-northeast through Puna, to herself Pele may not build ? so keep children under control. But these native plants and animals, while they added SEAFARERS FIND THE ISLANDS HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK EXTENDS FROM MAUNA LOA Back-country camping. village of Kalapana, 6 kilo­ the relief of color to the sere volcanic landscape and INFORMATION TO THE SEACOAST NEAR KALAPANA AND SERVICES Hiker shelters and cabins meters (4 miles) east of the Pele may well have been one of the deities who helped provided materials for shelter or ornament, could not have are available, but you must coastal section of the park. the first Hawaiians to find these islands. The gods of all fed the Marquesan voyagers—who themselves were the first Hotels. Volcano House, at register at park head­ Climate. The northern side of Kilauea's summit is seafarers aided the wanderers—those in the sun, the moon, successful settlers of the human species. an elevation of 1,220 quarters for overnight stays. meters (4,000 feet) on the Detailed maps are sold at 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) the stars, those in the winds, clouds, ocean currents, even park headquarters and are above sea level, and so the The travelers brought many things from home— rim of Kilauea Crater, is in the wrack of the sea and the birds of the air. But as open all year. Reservations highly recommended. Check climate can be cool and they neared the island of Hawai'i, after weeks of sailing Unless the explorers of that first expedition came fully are advised, especially dur­ on trail conditions and rain can fall any time of the across the uncharted sea, Pele could have been the one that equipped to found a new colony, they would have been ing July and August. Write water supplies before you year. At the same time, Kilauea's leeward side is attracted them, for the glow from her fires, burning like forced to go home again to gather up stocks of food to the Volcano House, start. Many trails are Hawaii Volcanoes National easy walks, but to be usually dry and warm. beacons atop Mauna Loa and Kilauea can be seen for many animals and useful plants. The discoverers must have made Park, HI 96718. properly prepared check There's no record of the return voyage, and probably did so more than once. kilometers out to sea. Even if Pele happened to be sleeping Campgrounds. The park's with a park ranger. freezing at Kilauea, but when a canoe approached from the south, the huge In no other way can we explain the arrival of so many drive-in campgrounds are Kilauea Military Camp. in winter the snow can mountains she had raised would have guided those first plants which are not dispersed by natural means across Kipuka Nene, Namakani This rest and recreation extend down to 3,000 thousands of kilometers of ocean. With the plants and Paio, and Kamoamoa. Each camp for active and retired meters (10,000 feet) on Hawaiians home. Mauna Loa. animals they introduced, they altered the face of the land. has eating shelters and military personnel is 1.5 fireplaces, but wood is kilometers (1 mile) west Publications. Special They came from islands to the south— Archeologists They began the processes of change caused by men to which not provided at any site. of park headquarters. publications on the geology, human history, and natural have concluded that those discoverers came from central these islands are still being subjected. There is no charge and no Adjacent facilities. Groc­ Of food animals, they brought pigs, chicken, and dogs. reservation is required, but eries, gasoline, and camping history of Hawaii Vol­ Polynesia, probably from the Marquesas Islands, about canoes are published by the Of plants, they brought seeds, roots, or starts of taro, your stay is limited to 7 supplies are available in the 1,200 years ago. The voyagers had sailed across more than days per campground per community of Volcano, 1.5 Hawaii Natural History 3,800 kilometers (2,400 miles) of open sea, not certain breadfruit, sweet potato, yam, banana, coconut, kukui nut, year. Cabins with the use kilometers (1 mile) north Association to help you that they would ever reach a saving shore. A group num­ mountain apple, ti, ginger, turmeric, sugar cane, paper of showers are operated at of the park on Hawaii 11. enjoy the park. For a price list write to the Association, bering as many as 50 men, women, and children may have mulberry, certain medicinals such as noni and 'awa, and Namakani Paio by the The stores there are open all undoubtedly an assortment of weeds. Volcano House. year. Groceries and meals Hawaii Volcanoes National made the voyage, living aboard a great double canoe. are also available in the Park, HI 96718. For them to have discovered Hawai'i was feat enough. They brought, too, invisible things that also took root To have survived the difficult years after they landed upon and grew, the culture of the "widespread Polynesian race," these inhospitable coasts was an even greater achievement. as Captain James Cook called these astonishing rovers when For this would have been a most grudging land, offering he discovered them here. They brought language, customs, them little more than a refuge from the sea and fresh rituals, the social sanctions and the laws they knew as water to drink. It would have given them little to eat, ex­ kapus, and their arts and handicrafts. Above all, they brought their deities and spirit-guardians, "the four great For your safety, watch special hazards at Hawaii Volcanoes: Stay on the trails. Kilauea's cept a few kinds of fern fronds and roots, bitter and tough, surface has deep cracks, many hidden by vegetation. Recent lava flows are shelly and a few kinds of birds not easily trapped. The ocean was gods, the forty lesser gods, the four hundred, the four collapse easily. Many trails lie along cliff edges: keep children under control. Volcano kinder: it kept them alive during the years that passed be­ thousand, the forty thousand little gods," according to an fumes can compound respiratory difficulties: heed warning signs. ancient chant, to dwell in the land among them. And Pele fore the food plants and animals brought from the home­ ENLARGEMENT OF KILAUEA CALDERA AND CHAIN OF CRATERS pahoehoe lava along this The Coastal Section of would have been here to greet them, gods and men alike, WHAT TO SEE land could supplement the fare they pulled from the sea. (LAVA FLOWS ARE DATED AND MAPPED ONLY IN THE CALDErlA AREA/AND VICINITY) AND DO edge of the Kau Desert. the park is accessible via as they came ashore at the end of their long voyage. In Bird Park (Kipuka Hawaii 13 from Keaau and Perhaps for a generation or two the discoverers kept Puaulti) off of Marina Loa the new Chain of Craters The islands bore distinctive flora and fauna—Though Crater Rim Drive, your Road. in touch with the homeland. Later, as younger folk replaced Road, a nature trial leads lacking in edible plants, the islands they had found were best orientation to Hawaii through open meadows and The road leads past the the colonists, and Hawai'i became the only place they not utterly barren. Despite their isolation from other Volcanoes National Park, forest—one of the richest religious heiau (temple) of cared to know, contact ceased. For several hundred years is a 17.5-kilometer (11- Pacific islands and the continents, Hawai'i's volcanic moun- concentrations of native Wahaula near the Wahaula no one made the long and arduous journey, in either mile) drive from the plants in Hawaii. Kipukas Visitor Center and skirts park headquarters. You will direction. are islands of old surface or along the coastline past pass lush rain forests, raw soil surrounded by more the historic Hawaiian craters, and great areas of PUKIAWE recent lava flows, and on the villages of Kamoamoa and Conquerors came from other islands; then explorers devastation. Pumice is slopes of Mauna Loa Although they look good Lae Apuki. It ends near from the continents—Sometime between 1200 and 1400, piled high from recent these kipukas support grassy Puu Loa, one of the great enough to eat, the bright, eruptions, and lava flows attractive fruits of the pukiawe someone in the south recalled the old tales about the land meadows dotted with concentrations of petro- only a few years old cover are inedible. Instead, the of Hawai'i-loa. A new wave of Polynesians swept up from clumps of koa, ohia, soap­ glyphs in Hawaii. colorful berries—sometimes much of the landscape. berry, kolea, and mamani white, pink, red or mahogany the south, this time from Tahiti and its neighboring islands. Along the road are well- Interpretive programs, brown — have been used to trees. These later voyagers, arrogant and aggressive, took marked trails and overlooks including evening talks, make leis. You're most likely to Chain of Craters Road nature walks, and other see this hardy shrub along dry over the lands and the achievements of their gentler pre­ to help you explore this ridges, at both high and low lava-formed world of the passes along several huge activities, are offered at elevations. cursors in Hawai'i. Claiming descent from the greatest not-so-distant past and to pit craters formed in pre­ Kilauea and the Coastal gods, the invaders became the conquerors and rulers of understand life in a world historic time and several Section during the summer Hawai'i. These ali'i and their descendants, and the priests that has changed violently areas of recent volcanic season. You can get a who worked with them, ruled Hawai'i until, in 1778, visi­ and swiftly many times. activity which temporarily schedule from either visitor Hi/ina Pali is a steep buried the road. Short trails center or by writing to the tors from a new race arrived. Those emissaries from Europe, cross these fresh landscapes park. the men who sailed with Captain Cook, ended forever the cliff that offers a fine view of the Big Island's south­ to volcanic features and Volcano Art Center, isolation that had protected for so long these remote east seacoast. Late afternoon impressive views. housed in historic 1877 islands and their sheltered people, plants, and animals. is a good time to visit the Volcano House, is just a pali. On your way you will few steps from Kilauea 'ELEPAIO see fine examples of visitor center. Features Traces of early Hawaiian settlement remain on the include a gallery and semi­ This dainty little wrenlike bird, called 'elepaio, is one of the land—In Pele's realm today, little evidence of the early nars and workshops on friendliest natives in the park. Hawaiian people can be found. They did not intrude much painting, printmaking, A member of the Old World fly­ upon her precincts near the summit of Kilauea, probably pottery, music and dance, catcher family, it lives on and other art forms. insects found on tree leaves because they feared her. The ruins of only two religious and stems and builds its deep nest out of lichens held heiau, or temples, have been reported near the caldera: one together with cobwebs. upon the bluff of Uwe-kahuna, "the place of priestly weeping," where the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory now stands, the other on Waldron Ledge, the high wall above Byron Ledge. At the southern end of the park, however, near the Kalapana entrance, the ruins of several fishing villages lie among alien weeds. This coastal area was more suitable for Hawaiians to live in: both sea and land provided all they needed to prosper. And here, too, they lived far enough away from Pele's lairs to be able to dodge her wrath tains had acquired an amazing number and variety of whenever she sent rivers of lava down the mountainside. plants and animals—with the exception of mammals. Only Adjoining the park museum at the Kalapana entrance, bats and seals preceded man to these islands. stand the remnants of one of ancient Hawai'i's most sacred How had this distinctive life on the islands developed? places, Waha'ula Heiau, the Temple of the Red-mouthed Almost as soon as the growing shield volcanoes appeared God. According to tradition, it was built in the 13th above sea level, seeds or spores or eggs of living creatures century, in the new high-walled style prescribed by Pa'ao, or the complete organisms themselves were carried here chief priest to the conquering ali'i. In the name of their by ocean currents, high winds, or far-flying birds. Very fiercest god, Pa'ao introduced several other novelties: a few of those hapless migrants survived in that bmtal new red-feathered girdle for a ruling chief to wear as a sign of environment, but every now and then one wanderer did his office; the abasement of prostration for commoners when succeed in establishing itself and thereby became the in the presence of their chiefs; the glaring-eyed, red- ancestor of a line of descendants that thrived and mouthed image of the god of war Ku-ka'ili-moku, Ku-the- multiplied. Divider-of-Lands; and the sacrifice of human beings to that Their progeny, meeting no natural enemies and no same bloodthirsty deity. MAIN TRAILS IN THE PARK competitors for space or food, evolved over time according ROUND TRIP FIGURES REMARKS to the laws of natural selection, producing many new Kilometers Average varieties and species. Most of these adaptations to a favoring HAWAI'I VOLCANOES TODAY Miles time environment are found nowhere else on earth; that is, CRATER RIM —loop trail begin­ 17.5 1 Easy trail; partly paved, ning at park headquarters 11.0 day partly ash; through cool rain they are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Today, this national park, created primarily to preserve the forest and warm desert The seed plants, for example, developed one of the natural setting of Mauna Loa and Kilauea, is also a refuge HALEMAUMAU —begins at 10.2 5 Self-guiding trail into Ki­ for those native plants and animals that still survive the park headquarters; ends at 6.4 hours lauea Caldera across fresh world's most distinctive floras. Of more than 1,700 species, Halemaumau parking area lava flows; arrange for per­ at least 98 percent grew only in the Hawaiian Islands. encroachments of civilization. {return same way) sonal pick up at parking area for one-way trip Tragically, many of these are now extinct, destroyed by Here, too, scientists can study the processes and effects of KILAUEA IKI (via Byron 8.0 4 Descent into Kilauea Iki and exotic (introduced) plants, animals, and insects and by volcanism. Because Kilauea has been studied more inten­ Ledge) —begins at park head­ 5.0 hours across the lava crust formed man. Botanists believe that all of the 1,700 species evolved sively than any of earth's other volcanoes, it is one of quarters; ends at Thurston upon a cooling lava pond Lava Tube parking area (re­ from a small number of ancestors, probably fewer than the best understood. Geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, turn via Crater Rim Trail) 150 seeds or minuscule plants. Among the better known and volcanologists, working here and cooperating with THURSTON LAVATUBE-loop 0.5 1/4 Easy, surfaced trail through colleagues the world around, are improving methods for trail beginning at Thurston 0.3 hour a rich fern forest and lava examples of Hawai'i's endemic plants are the splendid Lava Tube parking area tube; stair climb to exit tube HELP PROTECT Fires are permitted only Vehicles of all kinds are restricted to designated acacia koa, several species of hibiscus, the alpine silver- predicting the times and sites of eruptions. In studying DEVASTATION TRAIL —begins 2.0 1/2 Self-guiding trail on a board­ YOUR PARK in designated camp and swords, the tree lobelias, and the shrubby violets. Kilauea, during its periods of quiet as well as during at Puu Puai Overlook; ends at 1.2 hour walk across a pumice and picnic sites. Don't leave roadways spatter covered landscape eruptions, they are learning more about the manner in Devastation parking area To protect yourself and the your fire unattended. Pets must be under phys­ The gorgeous native birds were even more astonishing. (return same way) natural beauty of the park, Collecting rocks or pick­ ical control at all times. Only 15 ancestral immigrant species, flying in from other which earth was born and its parts were formed, how BIRD PARK (Kipuka Puaulu) 1.9 1 Easy, unpaved path through please pay special attention ing plants is prohibited. Park roads are for continents and islands have been made and destroyed. loop trail beginning at 1.2 hour forest and meadow; Pacific islands and the Arctic region, gave rise to 39 species Mauna Loa Road abundant birdlife, to these regulations. They Hunting is prohibited leisurely driving only. The and 39 subspecies of endemic birds. The 22 species of And, of course, Pele is here—sometimes resting, often self-guiding trail are enforced by park except by deputized park maximum speed is 88 kilo­ Paved path across the Kau rangers. rangers assisting in pig and meters per hour (55 mph) Hawaiian honeycreepers probably evolved from a single fretful—and here she will stay until forced to move again, MAUNA IKI (Footprints) —be­ 5.8 2 gins 14.6 km. (9.1 mi.) south­ 3.6 hours Desert to footprints made Registration at park goat control programs. on the primary roads; ancestral species, and the same kind of story can be told for perhaps to a new island that may someday emerge from west of park headquarters on in 1790 ash Firearms are otherwise not slower speeds are posted. Hawaii 11; ends at Mauna Iki headquarters is required for endemic ferns, insects, and land mollusks. the ocean's depths. (return same way) back-country camping on to be carried or displayed Mauna Loa and for other unless broken down or —O. A. Bushnell KE ALA KAHIKO —loop trail 2.1 1-1/2 Self-guiding, rough-surfaced beginning at Wahaula Visitor 1.3 hours trail through coastal forest; overnight hikes. cased. Revised 1980 Center traces of early settlement