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Roadside Lava Tube
MM 23
A small, unmarked lava tube near Mile 23, just past Puaʻa Kaʻa that's about 140ft in length. It's a quick stop if you're not claustrophobic, but this curiosity is more about people not wanting to miss-out on any attraction than the tube itself.
⏱ 10 – 15 min at stop
🚗 93 min from Pāʻia
✓ Free to access
At a glance
Inside the cave: Dark, low, and muddy — You'll need a flashlight or phone light. This is not a curated stop. Watch your head and your footing.
Access & parking: A small pull-off, free — The pullout was built to let cars pass, not for the cave, but there's room for several cars.
Time needed: 10 – 15 min — A quick look for the curious.
About Roadside Lava Tube
Just past Puaʻa Kaʻa, around Mile 23, you'll spot a pullout and maybe a few parked cars, and undoubtably wonder why they have stopped. The pull off was made so vehicles could pass each other on the narrow road, but a small lava tube sits across the way, and curiosity does the rest — it's a textbook case of stopping simply because others have.
The tube itself is short and unremarkable compared to the massive Hāna Lava tube (Kaʻeleku Caverns). You can go take 5 minutes to go through the 140 ft tube, but you'll need a flashlight or phone light.
Good to know
The Hāna Lava tube is currently closed. Unfortunately this makes for a meager alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the roadside lava tube worth stopping at?
- No. Most people stop simply because they see cars parked. If you're interested in lava tubes, the larger, managed Hāna Lava Tube further along the road is the better choice, although it is currently closed for a archaelogical survey.