(Redirected from Kalapana, Hawaii)
One of the over 100 houses that were destroyed by the lava flow in 1990
'Kalapana' is a town on the
Island of Hawaii in the
Hawaiian Islands that was completely destroyed and partly buried by the eruptive flow of
lava from
Kīlauea volcano in
1990. A nearby housing subdivision, 'Royal Gardens', was also largely destroyed, though some of its structures remain untouched to the present day. The lava flow that destroyed Kalapana erupted from the southeast rift zone of Kīlauea. Along with the destruction of Kalapana were those of the nearby town of
Kaimū and Kaimū Bay, both of which now lie buried beneath more than 50 feet of lava. The lava flow also created a new coastline. Kalapana is now considered a
ghost town.
Although most access to the town has been cut off, there is currently a
bed and breakfast running, and a few people still live there. These people mostly get in and out by 4-wheel drive vehicles.
External links
★
USGS: Pictures and information on Kalapana's destruction