Kipuka Kanohina

The Kipuka Kanohina Cave System is situated on the west coast of the island of Hawai'i, in the desert of Ka'u. It is located near the community of Ocean View, about 45 miles south of Kailua-Kona and about 30 miles north of South Point (the southern most point in the US). So far, over 18 miles of continuous cave passage has been explored within the system, with over 20 miles in the entire system. It has a vertical extent of 682 feet. The cave is currently listed as the second longest lava tube in the world, one of only three to pass 15 miles in length. It is highly braided and mazy, with multiple levels and confusing passages. The cave contains several Hawaiian artifacts and evidence of ancient habitation. It also contains soda straw stalactites, numerous large lava balls, many significant gypsum deposits, an unstudied biological population, and paleontological specimens.

If you would like to visit the preserve, you will need to sign a copy of our waiver and also contact us

Management Plan

The CCH maintains the Kipuka Kanohina Management Plan in two forms, Mircosoft Word 2000 format (590K), or Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format (3.2M). The PDF file requires Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may download a free copy of the program from the Adobe web site. Click on the Adobe icon to download Acrobat. Note: both links will open a new window.

Donors

Donations above $10,000

Martin Haye

Donations of $5000 - $9999

Fred Stone

National Speleological Society

Dick Blenz

Donations of $1000 - $4999

Thom Engel

Pangolin Pictures

Donations of $250 - $999

Don Coons

Peter and Ann Bosted

Joyce Hoffmaster

Hawaii Forest and Trail

Mike Warner

John Pearson

He Kula Na Mea Hawaii

Amy Cox

Barb Capocy

Ric Elhard

Bob Richards

Bernie Szukalski

George Veni

John (Jack) Vose

Ron Terry

Dale Pate and Paula Bauer

Donations of $100 - $249

Cindy Heazlit

Mark and Rene Ohms

Bruce Dunlavy

Nevin and Judy Davis

Kula Kai Caverns

Pat Kambesis

Dr. Stanley Sides

Dr. William R. Halliday

Rachel Myron and Steve Lewis

Kevin Downey

Julie Schenk

Ken Kloppenborg

Paul Wendt

Rose Herrera

Arrita Peri Frantz

Donations up to $99

Mindie Kaplan

Merrilee Proffitt

Pete Lindsley

Steven Smith

Ashley Chan

Andy Grubbs

Louise Hose

Cave Research Foundation

Kirk MacGregor