History
Mauna Loa's first documented eruption was in 1843 and it has erupted 33 times, though the most recent eruption was 25 years ago. Translated, the name Mauna Loa means "Long Mountain."
Location
Mauna Loa comprises the entire southern half of the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. The technical location is 19.475 N 155.608 W, but for the purposes of travel, it is on the south-central part of the Big Island near the town of Volcanoes, about an hour drive from Hilo. You can access the area by car, as the national park is well-marked and paved.
Size
Mauna Loa is 60 miles long and 30 miles wide. It gets larger every year, however, as the lava fields harden and expand the island. The summit caldera, Moku'aweoweo, is 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. The caldera walls are more than 600 feet high.
Region
Mauna Loa is part of a five-volcano range and is bordered directly by Kilauea to the southeast, Mauna Kea to the north and Hualalai to the southwest. The Kohala volcano lies north of Mauna Kea. Kilauea is also active and lava flows continue down the mountain. The area surrounding this volcano range is lush rain forest toward the interior of the island and spartan lava fields toward the sea.
Volcanoes National Park
The national park is an absolute treasure, like nothing you've ever experienced. A drive along the Chain of Craters Road or a hike through one of the inactive calderas gives real perspective to the power of nature. Besides preserving the volcanoes, the park features rare flora and fauna fed by the nutrients in the lava and its ash. There's also an opportunity to walk through a tunnel created by a lava field, witness the devastation caused by eruptions and see one of the world's best observatories, the W.M. Keck Observatory.
Volcanoes National Park
808-985-6000
www.nps.gov/havo
Golf
The Volcano Golf and Country Club sits on the slopes of the Kilauea volcano and is surrounded by incredibly lush flora and fauna. The course is open and can be quite forgiving. Because of the 4,000-foot elevation, you'll have a longer-than-usual drive to this medium-length course (6,547 yards).
Volcano Golf and Country Club
Pii Mauna Dr.
Hawaii Volcanoes Nat'l Park, HI 96718
808-967-7331
www.volcanogolfshop.com/HomeSite/TheGolfCourse.htm
About The Author
J.D. Chi is a professional journalist who has covered sports for more than 20 years at newspapers all over the United States. She has covered major golf tournaments and the NFL as well as travel and health topics. Chi received her Bachelor of Arts in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and is working toward a master's degree in journalism.
