The County of Hawaiʻi parks directory lists Kaūmana Caves on Kaumana Drive in Hilo, with a pavilion and restrooms. Its lava tubes formed during a Mauna Loa eruption whose lava flows approached Hilo. The Kaumana tube fed a flow that reached into Hilo along what is now the upper part of Mohouli Street. Inside, look for melted tube walls, marks of former lava stream levels, and gutters along each side of a small late flow down the middle of the floor. A lava tube is dark away from its entrance, so bring a flashlight or headlamp and wear sturdy shoes.
Local tip
Bring a flashlight or headlamp and sturdy shoes.
Good to know
Lava tubes from a Mauna Loa eruption
Melted walls and old lava stream levels
Pavilion and restrooms