Last updated: March 28, 2025
Place
Nāhuku Lava Tube
NPs Photo/D. Boyle
Quick Facts
Location:
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Amenities
4 listed
Parking - Auto, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead
Nāhuku, formerly Thurston Lava Tube, was formed by molten lava, leaving behind an empty cave once the lava flow stopped and cooled. Hundreds of lava drippings once decorated this delicate lava tube before it was "discovered" by a team of USGS surveyors in 1912. The publicization of the lava tube by Lorrin A. Thurston, an American politician, later led to increased tourism and the removal of formations by souvenir collectors. To protect the site, avoid touching the walls or tree roots.
The tube is accessible via a short hike, with alternate parking at Kīlauea Iki Overlook, about half a mile away. If parking is full, plan to return later. To avoid crowds, visit before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. The tube is lit from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; bring a flashlight if visiting outside those hours. Enjoy the hike through native rainforest, which is also a great spot for birdwatching.