, Auditorium
Hualalai Ranch Cave is a large braided, multi-level lava tube cave system situated on the western side of Hawaii (Big Island). The cave was formed several thousand years ago over a period of time from multiple eruptions. The surveyed cave length is over 15 miles at present, which places it as the fourth longest known lava tube cave system in the world. This cave was first recognized by cavers in 1996, after which a series of expeditions were held to complete the exploration and mapping effort. The cave is significant for its secondary mineral formations, its length, its support for rare endemic plant and animal species, and its archeological history. This paper reviews its geology, minerology, archeology, and history of exploration. Another 19 years passed until we picked it back up in 2024. So far, approximately 1.5 miles have been surveyed, with only a fraction of that being virgin. The cave is complex, so progress has been slow, but the wind beckons us forward, and the previous explorers remain an intriguing mystery.
John H Rosenfeld NSS 19791F