Thursday, January 25, 2007

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The name Hawai'i is commonly used to refer to the State of Hawaii, however, it is actually the name of the the largest of the Hawaiian islands. To avoid confusion, the Island of Hawai'i is often just called Big Island.

Big Island is built from five separate shield volcanoes. These are (from oldest to youngest): Kohala (extinct), Mauna Kea (dormant), Hualālai (dormant), Mauna Loa (active), and Kīlauea (active).

Today Peter and I visited the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Big Island. The two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kīlauea, are part of this National Park. Click on the photos below for a larger version.

Hawaiian bottle brushI don't know what this flower is,
but it looks similar to an Australian Bottlebrush.


Hawaiian birdA pretty birdie.


Hawaiian bush landHere's some Hawaiian bush land. Also reminds me of Australia.


Kilauea Iki CraterKīlauea Iki Crater.


Volcanic steam ventsVolcanic steam vents.


Halem'auma'u CraterHalem'auma'u Crater.


Thurston Lava TubeThurston Lava Tube.
From the entrance looking back out to the rainforest.


LavaLava.


Lava on the roadLava on the road.
This road used to continue around the island,
but the lava had other ideas and put a stop to that.


More lavaMore lava.


Lava flow signThere were lots of signs like this around the island.
There appear to have been several big eruptions in the past few decades.


Mr and Mrs Cookie relaxing on lavaMr and Mrs Cookie also had a nice day at the National Park.
Here they are relaxing on some lava.


Petroglyphs carved into the lavaPetroglyphs carved into the lava.


Holei Sea ArchHolei Sea Arch.


Lava flowing into the seaLava flowing into the sea.


Rental car in HawaiiThis is the hire car. And that's Peter in the front seat
wearing the much-loved swiss flag t-shirt
he acquired during our holiday in Switzerland.


Volcano Inn car parkAnd here's the view out the back of our accommodation. Very tropical!


1 comment:

Olivia M said...

That flower up at the top is a Lehua blossom from the Ohia tree, and the bird is a Kalij Pheasant. :) I stay one local sistah from da aina. But I'm white. XD