KAZUMURA CAVE TOURS KAZUMURA CAVE TOURS KAZUMURA CAVE TOURS
FOR RESERVATIONS CALL (808) 967-7208
Monday - Saturday 8 am - 6 pm
(Hawaii Standard Time) Closed Sundays
CAVE FORMATION
Kazumura Cave is a lava tube on the island of Hawaii. The cave formed between four and six centuries ago, when a vent on the east side of Kilauea Caldera erupted, sending lava down the northeast flank of the volcano. As these lava flows advanced, they cooled from the outside in. This produced a hard crust around the flow, which protected the lava from cooling too quickly. (Hawaiian lavas erupt at approximately 2165 degrees F (1185 degrees C). The air and ground temperature is therefore cold to lava.) In time, this protective crust thickened and confined the flow to an oval or rounded conduit referred to as a lava tube.
CAVE FACTS
KAZUMURA CAVE IS:
OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:
TOURS AVAILABLE
THREE TOURS ARE AVAILABLE:
The MAZE Tour
After descending into the main passage, the Maze Tour heads down slope toward Eureka Falls and the Sexton Maze. On the way is Mongoose Falls. Here the group must climb down a 10 foot drop. Next comes Eureka Falls, which is 37 feet straight down. After checking out the drop it's time to put on your gear and rappel down (single rope). Further down slope is Red Column Falls, here the tour turns around. The Sexton Maze is then entered by ascending a ladder. After crawling through the maze for about an hour, the group rappels back into the main passage, a 30 foot drop (double rope). It's now time to ascend Eureka Falls and head back.
EACH PERSON wishing to see the Maze must bring his or her own 'INDIVIDUAL' gear, as follows.
Caving or climbing helmet
Headlamp / batteries if needed
Climbing Harness
Rappelling Gear for single or double rope (Figure 8 descenders are available if needed for double rope. Bring your own Carabiners.)
Ascending Gear - Each person must have, and be experienced in the use of their own 'INDIVIDUAL' ascending gear!!! (NO SHARING OF ASCENDING / DESCENDING GEAR!!!)
Knee pads and fore arm pads are recommended.
~~~~Ropes, Gloves, and Flashlights are provided.~~~~
Parents should be aware that most children under 11 do not have the attention span necessary for this tour.
The guide explains lava tube geology to visitors and the pace is leisurely.
Must be a teenager for the 4 hour tour.
Absolutely no kids on backs!
CAVE RULES
ALL VISITORS ARE ASKED TO OBSERVE THESE RULES WHILE VISITING THE CAVE:
RESERVATIONS should be made at least:
ONE DAY IN ADVANCE for the LAVAFALLS and PIT ROOM TOURS
ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE for the MAZE TOUR.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LAVA TUBES
One sentiment often expressed by visitors on cave tours is: I never imagined that a lava tube could be so interesting. The lava can take on so many different forms. It's absolutely amazing.
Lava tubes do indeed possess an incredible diversity of features. As the lead guide at Kazumura, I try to show visitors as many features as possible and explain their formation.
After tours I would often hear: "You have given us so much information, I don't think I can remember everything. Is there any place where all this information is written down?"
To this I would answer, "No, not that I'm aware of."
After a while folks started saying: "You should write a book."
Because so many you folks have considered me qualified for such an undertaking, I decided to take your advice.
The book is titled "UNDERSTANDING LAVA TUBES AND LAVA CAVES" and is available through TRAFFORD PUBLISHING.
The book covers the two methods of lava tube formation, and various erosional processes. It looks at how air can color the rock and help shape delicate cave features. There's a chapter which looks at the various types of lava formations and explains how they form. The book also provides information about other types of lava caves, and their formation. In addition to this, practical information about lava tube caving, and preservation, is provided. And there is a question section, which I have used to provide information that did not easily fit in the text.