Ka‘ū Desert

desert, Hawaii, United States

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The Kaʻū Desert is a desert region located on the island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is situated on the southwestern slopes of the Kīlauea volcano, which is part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This desert is characterized by barren lava fields, volcanic ash, and windblown dunes.1

The Kaʻū Desert is a unique environment, bordering a tropical fern jungle and the Mauna Loa volcano. It is a stark landscape shaped by volcanic activity, with features like the Thurston Lava Tube, a hardened lava flow tunnel. The region experiences a tropical and subtropical desert climate, with very low precipitation and extreme temperature fluctuations.12

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Kilauea
…volcano (west and north), the Ka‘ū Desert (southwest), ‘Āinahou Ranch (south), and a tropical fern jungle (north-northeast). The littoral Ka‘ū Desert consists of barren lava, crusted volcanic ash, and moving dunes of windblown ash and pumice 10–30 feet (3–9 metres) high. The Thurston Lava Tube, a 450-foot (135-metre) tunnel east…
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…volcano (west and north), the Ka‘ū Desert (southwest), ‘Āinahou Ranch (south), and a tropical fern jungle (north-northeast). The littoral Ka‘ū Desert consists of barren lava, crusted volcanic ash, and moving dunes of windblown ash and pumice 10–30 feet (3–9 metres) high. The Thurston Lava Tube, a 450-foot (135-metre) tunnel east…
Read More