Lava Tree State Monument
{{Short description|Park in Pāhoa, Hawaii, USA}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Lava Tree State Monument
| alt_name =
| iucn_category =
| photo = LavaTreeStateMonument.jpg
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = Lava molds of tree trunks in Lava Tree State Monument
| photo_width =
| map = Hawaii
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in Hawaii
| map_width =
| location = Pāhoa
| nearest_city =
| coordinates = {{coord|19|29|00|N|154|54|10|W|region:US-HI|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref =
| established =
| governing_body = State of Hawaii
| url =
}}
Lava Tree State Monument is a public park located {{convert|2.7|mi}} southeast of Pāhoa in the Puna District on the island of Hawaii.
It preserves lava molds of the tree trunks that were formed when a lava flow swept through a forested area in 1790.
Park Information
=Features=
A {{convert|0.7|mi|adj=on}} footpath forms a loop through the park.
Like all Hawaii state parks, there is no charge for parking and entry. Facilities include restrooms, picnic tables, and 3 covered structures to provide refuge from the rain or sun. It is open daily during daylight hours only, since there are no lights on the path.
No camping, and no mountain bikes are allowed in the park. There are no water fountains at the park; bring your own water. Although there is a paved path, tree roots have lifted and separated parts of the path so toddlers and the elderly may need assistance.{{cite web |title= Lava Tree State Monument |url= http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/lava-tree-state-monument/ |publisher= State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources |work= official state parks web site |accessdate=2019-03-12 }}
=Directions=
From the Hawaii Belt Road (State Route 11), take Highway 130, known as Kea{{okina}}au-Pāhoa Road, toward the town of Pāhoa.
Bypass the first intersection that would take you into Pāhoa by staying to the left. Continue to the traffic light where Pāhoa Bypass Road, Kea{{okina}}au-Pāhoa Rd and Pāhoa-Kapoho roads meet.
At this intersection, make a left onto Highway 132, Pāhoa-Kapoho Road.
Continue for about {{convert|3|mi}} to Lava Tree Road on your left.
The park is located on your right, about {{convert|150|ft}} down Lava Tree Road.
=History=
The land was once part of the extensive ranch of William Herbert Shipman.
Although ancient Hawaiians knew the molds were from a lava flow, one of the first to propose that they were from former trees was Rufus Anderson Lyman.{{cite book |title= Hawaii and its volcanoes |author= Charles Henry Hitchcock |publisher= The Hawaiian Gazette Company |year= 1911 |url= https://archive.org/details/hawaiianditsvol01hitcgoog |quote= rufus lyman. |pages=[https://archive.org/details/hawaiianditsvol01hitcgoog/page/n214 147]–148 |edition = second }}
It was closed in May 2018 due to the eruption of Kīlauea when lava flows approached the park.
Gallery
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC02.JPG|Path
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC03.JPG|Lava Trees
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC04.JPG|Shelter
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC05.JPG|Lava Trees
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC06.JPG|Lava Trees
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC07.JPG|Lava Trees and path
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC09.JPG|Inside view of lava tree with moss
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC10.JPG|Large lava tree that fell and broke apart
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC11.JPG|Lava tree
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC13.JPG|Lava formation inside one of the lava trees
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC14.JPG|Plant life
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC15.JPG|Plant life
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC16.JPG|Orchid growing in the wild
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC19.JPG|Plant life near deep cut in the ground
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC23.JPG|Plant life with morning dew
File:Hawaii Lava Tree State Park SAC26.JPG|Plant life and moss growing inside trunk of lava tree
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/lava-tree-state-monument/ Official site]
- [http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/images/pglossary/treemold.php "Tree Molds"] USGS Photo Glossary page
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131224031604/http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hawaii/lava-tree-state-park-hawaii-the-big-island.html Lava Tree State Park] on Hawaiiweb.com (archived)
{{Protected areas of Hawaii}}
{{authority control}}