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Established in 1916, it became the country's thirteenth national park. Within the park's 377 square miles is the opportunity to experience terrain and climates from lush green jungles to arid desert expanses of lava flows.
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Halema'uma'u
Crater, Kilauea's primary vent, is the most impressive of a chain of craters on the
Volcano.
Measuring 1,300 feet deep and ten miles in circumference, the "Firepit" of
Halema'uma'u is said to be the home of the volcano goddess Pele (Pay-lay).
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Our
friend and tour guide, Courtney, poses in this incredible place of creation, life, force
and energy.
Lava flows on Hawaii are two basic types. Pahoehoe (pah-HO-e-Ho-e) which appears smooth or
ropy and a'a, (AH-ah) which is rough, and chunky.
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Holei
Sea Arch: This arch is only one illustration of the whimsical nature and beauty
created by lava flow.
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A sweet "resting place" by the thundering sea, and a
moment for reflection.
"Traveling in the company of those we love is home in
motion." Leigh Hunt
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"Chain
of Craters Road" ends here!
Behind us is a strenuous 7 mile (4 hour round trip) hike over rough, uneven lava to the
active lava flow.
The most recent series of major eruptions began in January 1983 on Kilauea's eastern
rift zone.
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The lava flows continue to build a spatter cone that is
currently more than 800 feet high, creating 200 acres of new
oceanfront land.
This steam cloud is a hydrochloric acid plume, produced when hot
lava boils sea water.
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The Ohia
(O-he-uh) Tree, ever persistent, seems to tempt Pele's wrath. It is one of the first trees
to reclaim its place amid the lava. Both resilient and beautiful, the Ohia Tree
displays spectacular blooms and flowers.
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Legend
says the tree embodies the spirits of Pele's handsome lover Lohi'au and her sister
Hi'iaka. In a jealous "eruption" she destroyed them when she wrongly suspected
unfaithfulness.
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