THURSTON LAVA TUBE (NAHUKU)
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When the hot lava passed through certain areas, hollow lava tubes were created. The Thurston Lava Tube, located in Volcanoes National Park off of Crater Rim Road is a set of large lava tubes that you can easily explore. Although the Big Island has many lava tubes, this one is easily accessible and extremely popular with the tour bus crowd. Be sure to get here early before the tour busses begin unloading their huge groups of passengers. Parking is along the roadway and often fills up quickly. The good news is that most people don’t stay too long so spots do become empty fairly quickly. The setting here is a lush fern rain forest with lots of beautiful Hawaiian flora and chirping birds |
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The gate ahead is the entrance to the unlit lava tube |
| The Thurston Lava Tube was named after a missionary family. The old name Nahaku, means "THE PROTURBERANCES". This is a great destination even if just visit the lighted portion. Remember the elevation here is over 3000 ft and is quite a bit cooler than at sea level. The Thurston area has two lava tubes available for exploration. The first is a 600 ft, lighted and well-traversed cave like area which has two exits. As you approach the area, you can go either left or right as both lead to different ends of the same passage way. Most people only go through this part of the lava tubes and depart by stairs back to the roadway |
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unlit section of the lava tube |
| For the more adventurous however, there is a second tube that is neither lit nor maintained by the Forest Service. There is a gate at the base of the stairs but the passage is seldom locked and you can enter this tube simply by opening the gate and going in. You will have to have a very bright light to walk in this 1200 foot long tube as the tube just dead ends with no second exit. When you get to the end, turn off your flashlight to experience what total blackness really feels like. Definitely a very intense blackness! Be careful inside this tube and watch where you are walking because there are some 3 foot drop offs on the tube floor. If you take more than one person, each person should have a very bright flashlight of their own. Definitely wear sturdy shoes for this exploration and insect repellent is also recommended. |
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