Jump to content

West Maui Mountains

Coordinates: 20°53′37″N 156°35′22″W / 20.89361°N 156.58944°W / 20.89361; -156.58944
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Mauna Kahalawai)
West Maui Volcano
Mauna Kahālāwai
Lihau (center) and Helu (right) peaks
Highest point
Elevation5,788 ft (1,764 m)[1]
Prominence5,668 ft (1,728 m)[1]
Coordinates20°53′37″N 156°35′22″W / 20.89361°N 156.58944°W / 20.89361; -156.58944
Geography
West Maui Volcano is located in Hawaii
West Maui Volcano
West Maui Volcano
Parent rangeHawaiian Islands
Topo mapUSGS Kilohana (HI)
Geology
Age of rock1.32 Mega-annum
Mountain typeMuch eroded shield volcano
Volcanic arc/beltHawaiian-Emperor seamount chain
Last eruption<320,000 years

The West Maui Mountains, West Maui Volcano, or Mauna Kahālāwai[2] (which means "holding house of water")[3] are the remnants of an eroded shield volcano that constitutes the western quarter of Maui. Approximately 1.7 million years old,[4] the volcano's last eruption was approximately 320,000 years ago. Thanks to hundreds of inches of rainfall annually the mountains have undergone substantial stream erosion.[5] The ʻĪao Valley, and it's Iao Needle are popular attractions within mountains, is accessible from Wailuku.

The three districts (moku) of West Maui are Lahaina, Kāʻanapali, and Wailuku.[6] Wailuku is also known as "Pūʻalikomohana" ("west isthmus"), or "Nā Wai ʻEhā" ("the four waters"). The port of Lahaina lies on the southwestern slope.

The summit peak at 5,788 ft (1,764 m) elevation is called "Puʻu Kukui," which translates to "candlenut hill".[7]

Geological history

[edit]

The West Maui Mountains were formed through at least three series of major volcanic eruptions during its shield building period.[5] Rocks from the latest major shield-building eruptions are called the Honolua volcanic series, which are roughly 500,000 years old. However, there were several rejuvenated stage eruptions more recently, the last dating to roughly 320,000 years ago.[5]

Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve

[edit]

The Puʻu Kukui Preserve is the largest private nature preserve in the State of Hawaii, dedicated to protecting the watershed lands of the West Maui Mountains. Established in 1988, the 8,661-acre (35.05 km2) preserve has been managed since 1994 by Maui Land & Pineapple Company in participation with The Nature Conservancy and the State Natural Area Partnership.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Puu Kukui, Hawaii". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Keawala'i Congregational Church, Kahu's Mana'o". www.keawalai.org. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
  3. ^ "Hawaii". Elope Maui. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
  4. ^ Basic Manual for Hawai'i's Tour Drivers/Guides v-6
  5. ^ a b c Sinton, John M. "Geologic History of Maui" (PDF). Hawaii Institute of Geophysics. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  6. ^ "Native Hawaiian Land Division". Haleakalā National Park. U.S. National Park Service.
  7. ^ Pukui, Mary Kawena; Elbert, Samuel H.; Mookini, Esther T. (1974). Place Names of Hawaii. University of Hawaii. p. 200.
[edit]