Lava Tree State Park

More impressive than the black stumps of the lava trees is the canopy of lacy branches formed by massive monkeypod trees at Lava Tree State Park. Monkeypod trees are found all over the islands but I didn't know that they can grow so tall! Wow! I wanted to spend the whole walk just looking up in wonder.

The walk around Lava Tree State Park is a short circular walk that takes a little over half an hour. We encountered many individual women meditating intently next to the phallic tree stumps. Just up the road, of course, is Pahoa, home to dreamy seeking-types and aged hippies, which explains the amount of meditating we encountered in the park.
The lava trees were formed when fast flowing lava collided with wet 'ohi'a trees. As the flow drained away, it left a thick coating around the dying trees. Now all that remains are vertical hollow tubes covered in moss.
It poured with rain as we were halfway through the hike- you might want to bring raincoats.

Directions

From Hwy 11, take Hwy 130 South. Pass Pahoa. Turn onto Hwy 132 and soon you will find signs for the park.

Click on map for interactive view