West Maui Mountains

Parent rangeHawaiian IslandsTopo mapUSGS Kilohana (HI)GeologyAge of rock1.32 Mega-annumMountain typeMuch eroded shield volcanoVolcanic arc/beltHawaiian-Emperor seamount chainLast eruption<320,000 years

The West Maui Mountains, West Maui Volcano, or Mauna Kahālāwai^[2] which means "holding house of water,"^[3] is approximately 1.7 million years old^[4] and forms a much eroded shield volcano that constitutes the western quarter of Maui. Since its last eruption approximately 320,000 years ago, the West Maui Mountains have undergone substantial stream erosion.^[5] ʻĪao Valley, a popular attraction within the West Maui Mountains, is accessible from Wailuku.

The three moku (districts) 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 feet (1,764 m) elevation is called "Puʻu Kukui," and its name translates to "candlenut hill".^[7]

Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve

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

Geological history

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] Though eruptions may have recently occurred as little as 25,000 years ago.^[8]

References

External links

• Media related to West Maui Mountains at Wikimedia Commons
• Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve
• "West Maui". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.