Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park 

A Cultural Masterpiece
 

I can honestly say that I’m not sure what expectations I had before visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park for the first time.  I knew we’d be visiting Kilauea with the hope that she would be erupting and have the opportunity to witness nature’s raw power.  We planned to stop by the other various volcanic sites as well.  However, there was so much more.  

From its unique volcanic landscapes to its historical and cultural significance, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park embodies what a U.S. National Park should be.  Established as a U.S. National Park in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson on the Big Island of Hawai’i, the park spans over 330,000 acres.  It protects two of the world’s most active and massive volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, while preserving over 1,500 years of Native Hawaiian cultural history and unique endemic ecosystems. 

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The park was originally created on August 1, 1916, as Hawai’i National Park, which also included sections on the island of Maui (including what is now Haleakalā National Park).  It was the 15th park added to the National Park Service system and the first in a U.S. Territory.  On September 22, 1961, the Maui and Big Island sections were separated into independent parks, and the Big Island location was officially renamed Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

The history of the Big Island is deeply rooted in Native Hawaiian lore and has significant cultural history.  Over 1,500 years ago, Polynesians settled in the area, and they consider it to be a sacred place, acting as both a living cultural landscape and the physical home of the goddess Pelehonuamea (Pele).  In Hawaiian mythology the summit crater of Kilauea (named the Halema’uma’u Crater) is considered the sacred home of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire.  Many natives would frequently visit the rim of the crater to offer oli (chants), hula, and respectful offerings to honor her power.

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In addition to the religious significance of the Big Island, this was the birthplace of King Kamehameha I.  By most accounts, he was born in the northern most region of Kohala at the northern tip of the Big Island.  In ancient Hawaiian prophecy, it was said that a child would be born under a celestial sign (a “light in the sky with feathers like a bird”) who would unite all the people of the islands.  King Kamehameha was estimated to have been born sometime between 1736 and 1761.  Early sources say that he was most likely born in 1758, which would have coincided with the passing of Hailey’s Comet, which would validate the prophesy.  Kamehameha was raised as this prophesied chief and would become the “Chief of War” and eventually the king that united the Hawaiian people and established the Kingdom of Hawai’i.

 

Biodiversity and Landscapes of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

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The cultural aspect is one of the factors for designating Hawai’i Volcanoes a National Park.  The other factor is the region’s biodiversity and the need to protect a fragile ecosystem that evolved from millennia of volcanic activity.  There are six subaerial and submarine volcanoes that actively formed Hawaii’s Big Island: Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Hualālai, Mauna Kea, Kohala, and Māhukona.  Kilauea, Mauna Loa, and Hualālai are the only remaining active volcanoes on the island, of which Kilauea and Mauna Loa are the only two that have remained active in the past century.  Kilauea is the youngest volcano of the six and is one of the most active systems on Earth.  Steam can be regularly seen spewing from its vents and has been continuously erupting from its vents over the past several years.  

The Big Island’s landscapes are so unique and beautifully awe-inspiring.  The island itself was formed by thousands of years of volcanic activity and is continually being reshaped by some of its still-active volcanoes.  With each eruption, lava flow creates rivers of volcanic rock flowing through lush rain forests, grasslands, and the hillsides, which creates a unique contrast in the landscape.

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To the native Hawaiians, a volcanic eruption wasn’t viewed as a destructive force, but one of a sacred nature and demonstrates the Earth being reborn.  As I traveled throughout the park, I realized that there is a lot of truth to this belief.  Trees, plants, and flowers were rising from historic and recent lava flows, and the wildlife of the park has taken refuge in these areas.  From the scientific viewpoint, volcanic soil is rich in essential plant nutrients and features a highly porous, spongy structure which provides drainage and limited water retention.  As the volcanic ash and lava weather down, they release vital minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus directly into the ground.  These elements are essential as food for plants and promote their healthy growth; while the porous nature of the soil prevents waterlogging while holding the needed moisture and air to promote healthy root systems.  

 

In Conclusion

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For me, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park was more than a “bunch of rocks” and “just checking the box” by visiting another park.  It’s a truly amazing and mystical place, full of unique landscapes that you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.  This park defines what being a National Park is all about.  It’s an island full of history and cultural significance that deserves its right to be protected for future generations so that they can learn more about the history of our world and its people.  

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