Page 92 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

The Lure of Lava Tubes: Exploring Lava Tube Tourism on the Big Island of Hawai‘i 69

of at least 25km (Cave Conservancy of Hawai‘i
[CCH], 2003), are both located on the Big Island.
Smaller lava tubes of various sizes and accessibility
are common and as land continues to be cleared
and developed, new caves will be discovered
(Stone and Howarth, 2005).
Big Island lava tubes contain a broad range of
important resources and values (Stone et al, 2005).
From a geologic point of view, the island’s lava tubes
contain a number of intriguing formations and
features. For example, Kazumura contains stacked
lava tubes, solidified lava falls up to 15m high
(Halliday, 2004) with large plunge pools at their
base, lava blades and draperies, sharktooth stalactites,
drips, rafted breakdown (Allred and Allred, 1997;
Hawai‘i Speleological Survey, 1997) and many other
‑
formations (Shick, 2008). The Kl puka Kanohina
lava tube system consists of a complex of multilevel
braided passageways containing many beautiful
‑
pahoehoe flow features, along with large lava balls,
blue stalactites, red gypsum curls and more unusual
formations (CCH, 2003). The Pua Po‘o lava tube,
located in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
contains a small unique feature which looks quite
similar to a rooster’s comb. Figure 4.1 Scientists collecting biological samples in
Big Island lava tubes contain the greatest Kazumura lava tube
number of cave organisms found anywhere in the
Hawaiian Islands with over 44 known species, Source: Photo courtesy of Rob Ratkowski
many more waiting to be described and new cave
species still being discovered (Stone and Howarth, Big Island lava tubes are important sites for
2005). Blind underground tree crickets, plant paleontologists. Some caves preserve the remains
hoppers, springtails, flightless flies, beetles, moths of extinct birds that once flourished on the
and cave adapted spiders (Howarth, 1972, 1987, islands including petrels, crows and flightless
2004; Stone and Howarth, 1994) are just a few of geese (CCH, 2003).
the species adapted to life inside Hawaiian lava Native Hawaiians historically used lava tubes
tubes. Studies show these specialized species find for a number of purposes including permanent
their way into a cave a few years after the and temporary shelter, water collection, religious
surrounding lava flow cools, many living amongst ceremonies, and as refuges in times of war (Stone
root mats formed by surface vegetation extending et al, 2005). Such caves are of interest to
into the cave. Roots provide food for a variety of archeologists.
cave species (CCH, 2003). Many of these species Aesthetically, lava tubes contain unique features
can only survive within the deeper cave environ‑ and subterranean landscapes foreign to those
ment of moist substrates, calm air saturated with living in surface environments which nonetheless
water vapour and high carbon dioxide levels captivate, inspire and awe those people who view
(Howarth, 2004). Slime molds, fungi, bacteria and them. Often encircled with ferns, large rock falls
other unusual microbes also live in the lava tubes or gnarled tree roots, even cave entrances can be
(Figure 4.1) with an unknown number of these places of remarkable beauty.
still waiting to be described by scientists (Harry And lastly, as a special interest pursuit, lava
Shick, personal communication, 2008). tubes provide recreational caving opportunities for

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