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Kaumana Cave and Old Mamalanoa Hwy

by ALOHA DEAN

Kaumana Cave, located 5 miles above Hilo, was created during the 1880 eruption. It was formed as the surface of the pahoehoe cooled and hardened, insulating the molten lava within. A portion of the thin crust later collapsed, creating a skylight through which streams of lava could be seen pouring through subterranean passages. As the eruption abated, the channel emptied, leaving behind an extensive lava tube.

History reports that the 1881 flow stopped within 1 1/2 miles of Hilo due to the intervention of Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani. She camped in front of the flowing lava and prayed to Pele's to spare the city. Her prayers were answered and Hilo had been spared.

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