Kamokuna, a remarkable location on Hawaii’s Big Island, is known for its dramatic ocean entries where active lava flows meet the Pacific, creating breathtaking natural displays. The name “Kamokuna” means “a place of refuge” in Hawaiian, though in the context of volcanoes, it refers specifically to this captivating juncture between land and sea.

When lava from the Kilauea Volcano reached the Pacific Ocean at Kamokuna, it created towering steam plumes, known as “laze” (a combination of lava and haze). This laze forms from the interaction of molten lava with seawater, producing steam clouds infused with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic glass particles.

Dr. Jessica Ross, a volcanologist specializing in Hawaiian geology, explains, “The laze formed at Kamokuna is an extraordinary example of volcanic activity; it’s both mesmerizing and dangerous, as the interaction between lava and seawater can cause sudden explosive reactions.”

During the Kilauea eruptions of 2016-2017, Kamokuna’s activity was especially intense, drawing thousands of visitors from around the globe who marveled at the lava’s journey to the ocean, accompanied by dramatic steam clouds and occasional explosions.

“Kamokuna captures the raw power of Earth’s geothermal processes,” shares Dr. Aaron Taylor, a leading researcher on volcanic activity. “These moments offer a rare glimpse into the planet’s ongoing transformation, revealing both the beauty and risks of volcanic landscapes.”

The site’s activity paused in 2018 when the Kilauea eruption subsided, and lava flows ceased reaching the ocean. Although the 2023 eruption within the Kilauea caldera brought substantial lava activity, no lava has yet reached Kamokuna’s shores, leaving the possibility of future ocean entries open.