Kaimū, Hawaii

Coordinates: 19°21′30″N 154°58′30″W / 19.35833°N 154.97500°W / 19.35833; -154.97500
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Kaimu, Hawaii
Kaimu
Kaimū Beach, also known as Black Sand Beach, 1959. Beginning in 1983, eruption from the Kīlauea volcano began to affect the area, completely covering it by 1990.
Alternative nameKaimu Beach Park
Coordinates19°21′30″N 154°58′30″W / 19.35833°N 154.97500°W / 19.35833; -154.97500
New Beach on Kaimū Bay, formed by volcanic flows in 1990, as seen in 2009.

Kaimū

Kīlauea volcano in 1990.[2] In Hawaiian, kai mū means "gathering [at the] sea" as to watch surfing.[3] The lava flow that destroyed Kaimū and nearby Kalapana
erupted from the southeast rift zone of Kīlauea.

Before volcanic destruction

Kaimū was located on Kaimū Bay. The bay was world-famous for its black sand beach which was surrounded by shady palm trees.[4][5] Kaimū was the birthplace of Hawaiian nationalist leader Joseph Nāwahī.

After volcanic destruction

Now both the bay and the town are buried under some 50 feet (15 m) of lava. A large section of State Route 130 (Kaimu-Chain of Craters Road) was also covered by the lava.[2] The road is on top of the cooled lava now, with some homes built on top of the lava. There is also the New Beach, black sand like the old, where locals and visitors are bringing sprouted coconuts and planting them to restore the lost trees.

References

  1. University of Hawaii Press
    .
  2. ^ a b "Summary of the Pu'u 'Ō 'ō-Kupaianaha Eruption, 1983-present". USGS.
  3. University of Hawaii Press
    .
  4. ^ "Home".
  5. ^ "Hawaii Lava Flow Closes Black Sand Beach". The New York Times. 4 August 1990.