Category Archives: Parks

Kilauea Volcano’s Pu’u O’o vent

Pu’u O’o is one of two active vents on Kilauea Volcano. It sits on the eastern border of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Continuously active since 1983, Pu’u O’o is currently pouring lava into the ocean around Kamokuna on the south-eastern coast of the Big Island. These views of the vent were taken from Pu’u Huluhulu cinder cone.

For more information about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, go to nps.gov/havo/. For more information about Kilauea Volcano and it’s eruptions, go to hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/main.html.

The path to Thurston Lava Tube

Thurston Lava Tube is one of the more visited spots in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It might not be as compelling as Puapoo Lava Tube, but it’s not far from the road and easily accessed. I tend to visit it whenever I’m in the park.

One thing I like about Thurston is the path to and through the tube. It starts with a drop into dense tropical forest, features a bridge leading to the maw of the tube, and then wiggles through the damp and the eerily lit interior until reaching the light at the other end.

Hawaiian stilts

The Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) is known here as the Ae’o. It’s endemic to the islands and endangered to boot, though the population is thought to be increasing. These two were by the Kaloko Fishpond at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. I wonder why they’re called stilts?

Abstracts: Moorish idols

A pair of moorish idols swim in shallow water at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.

Roseate skimmer dragonfly

While I was at the Queen’s Bath in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, I saw this striking roseate skimmer dragonfly looping back and forth above the water. It’s an introduced species and this one is, I think, a male.

Hawaiian coot

The Hawaiian coot is a descendant of the American coot and is endemic to the islands. This one was cruising ’Aimakapa Fishpond in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.

Abstracts: Restroom ramp

I was taken by the light and shadows made by the long and winding ramp to an elevated restroom in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.

Hapu‘u fern

Hapu‘u ferns are endemic to Hawaii and can grow to 25 feet high, depending on the type. I like how the fronds uncurl, gradually revealing more details. The golden brown hair is called pulu. I found these in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is one of the places where the fern grows best.

For more information about hapu‘u ferns, go to instanthawaii.com/cgi-bin/hawaii?Plants.hapuu.

Graham's Island

Life on the Big Island of Hawaii