Kaeleku Caverns
Kaeleku Caverns
4.5
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4.5
28 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
7
Average
2
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0
Terrible
1
Marissa87
California55 contributions
Feb 2013 • Couples
I missed this attraction on my first trip to Maui several years ago. I was determined to see it the second time around and am so glad that I did! I encourage everyone to make a quick stop off the Road to Hana to visit the lava tube. Inside, the tube was much more than I had expected - It was a cavernous tunnel the size of a subway that had a life all it's own. There's guiding handrails throughout and informative signs that explain the history, cave life, the geology and how it even used to be used as a nuclear fallout shelter for the island. So awesome!
It's slightly warm and damp inside - I was wearing shorts and a tank top and was fine. I don't recommend traversing this terrain in flimsy sandals, though. The lava tube is adventurous, but safe and family friendly. You are provided with a flashlight upon admission...but don't forget to turn all the lights off for a bit when you are inside - completely dark!
Quick Facts:
Open daily 1030 am - 4 pm. Costs $12 per person, children 5 & under free. Takes 30-45 minutes depending on how quick you move or how long you stop to read informational signs. On Hana Highway (360), turn left on Ulaino Road (just past mile marker 30). Follow this road about half a mile down, you will see signs directing you.
Address:
205 Ulaino Road
Hana, HI 96713
It's slightly warm and damp inside - I was wearing shorts and a tank top and was fine. I don't recommend traversing this terrain in flimsy sandals, though. The lava tube is adventurous, but safe and family friendly. You are provided with a flashlight upon admission...but don't forget to turn all the lights off for a bit when you are inside - completely dark!
Quick Facts:
Open daily 1030 am - 4 pm. Costs $12 per person, children 5 & under free. Takes 30-45 minutes depending on how quick you move or how long you stop to read informational signs. On Hana Highway (360), turn left on Ulaino Road (just past mile marker 30). Follow this road about half a mile down, you will see signs directing you.
Address:
205 Ulaino Road
Hana, HI 96713
Written 14 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stiner441
Saskatoon, Canada9 contributions
Nov 2011 • Couples
First of all, I am a geologist... so when I saw the sign I knew we had to go. My hubby complied with me and we went.
I honestly thought the $25 for two was inexpensive for what you got to see. I really loved it and the signs were really informative and accurate! Even I learned something from it. :)
The volcanic stalactites were the highlight of the trip... absolutely incredible! I drooled over them. I wish I could have taken one home with me but I was respectful and did not collect within the lava tube, despite the serious temptation I had.
The person who owns the land is really nice and gave us free starfruit and a travel book. :)
It is quite an amazing sight and I would go again (mind you I love this sort of stuff). Even my hubby enjoyed it and he doesn't like rocks.
I honestly thought the $25 for two was inexpensive for what you got to see. I really loved it and the signs were really informative and accurate! Even I learned something from it. :)
The volcanic stalactites were the highlight of the trip... absolutely incredible! I drooled over them. I wish I could have taken one home with me but I was respectful and did not collect within the lava tube, despite the serious temptation I had.
The person who owns the land is really nice and gave us free starfruit and a travel book. :)
It is quite an amazing sight and I would go again (mind you I love this sort of stuff). Even my hubby enjoyed it and he doesn't like rocks.
Written 18 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
briangBaildon
Queensbury, UK418 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Easy to miss this. There is a small roadside sign for the lava tube on the outskirts of Hana going back towards Kahului. The entrance is like in someone's back garden. The entrance fee is not much and after instructions you are given your own torch for the 30 minutes walk in the dark to the end of the tube. There are notices along the way giving information and the tube is quite high except for one small bit where you have to bend down to get under the roof. There were a few other people looking round at the same time as ourselves or else it would have felt a bit disquieting. Well worth the effort as the lava tubes in the national park were closed
Written 23 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stello12
1 contribution
Jul 2013
This place is terrible. Its basically a hole in some guys backyard that he charges too much for while shoving political propaganda down your throat. What a waste of time, gas, and money. These are con artists. Stay away and just enjoy Hana.
Written 23 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lissel A
Brisbane, Australia663 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
I found a small reference to this lava tube location *somewhere* and we made a point of stopping in on our way to Hana. It is on private property, with parking and portaloos, and for a modest $12 or so we got some information on the tube system and some powerful torches and access to the safe portion of the tube on this land. We loved it! Going underground down stairs, and under drips, seeing rippled floors, gold shining rock eating bacteria, stalactites and a few lonely stalagmites, hershey kisses ceilings, chocolate lava flows, bowling alley gutters and more. My favourite was the gold bacteria, and the fallen trapezoid shaped rock with matching "hole" in the ceiling. Our host was friendly and knowledgeable, and we were very glad we went.
Top tip: while you could wear casual shoes or flip flops (we saw people in thongs), I would recommend at least wearing sneakers if not boots if you have them handy, as the ground is uneven and wet in parts. And turn off your torches once you've gone well in, the dark is amazing!
Top tip: while you could wear casual shoes or flip flops (we saw people in thongs), I would recommend at least wearing sneakers if not boots if you have them handy, as the ground is uneven and wet in parts. And turn off your torches once you've gone well in, the dark is amazing!
Written 31 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
worldtraveler795
Greeley, colorado177 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
We visited with our kids and parents and were amazed at the beauty of this site. You are given flashlights and walk down a set of stairs to the entrance. There is no lighting inside the tube which is amazing. Seeing lava in many different states is interesting. You can also see the area used as a shelter for the island people. What fun to shut off your flashlights and experience true darkness. Signs are scattered throughout the tube and teach you about volcanoes, lava, and Hawaii. We loved it! After the tour we ate lunch at the picnic tables next to the parking lot. The woman at the desk was very friendly and made sure the tables were clean for our meal. After being in the car for a couple of hours this was a welcome break. The only down side is the cost - $12 per person seems high. Later that week we visited Volcano national Park on the big island and walked through the lava tube there. This tube is longer and much more interesting. Don't miss it!
Written 13 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MT0308
Boston, MA316 contributions
We stumbled across the lava tube during our journey to Hana. For only $12 per person, you really can't go wrong. I mean how often do you get to walk through a lava tube?? They give you flashlights and a helmet it you want one (you don't need it). It takes about 30 minutes to travel through the 1/4 mile cave. Along the way, there are facts about the tube and how it came to be. It very interesting and something most people will never have the opportunity to do again in their lives. So definitely stop here. It's a great experience. Have fun!
Written 28 November 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karate3455
Hershey, PA178 contributions
My husband and I decided to stop off at the Kaeleku caverns while we were driving the Hana Highway and we were glad we did. It was fantastic! It is a self guided tour, but there is a guide where you pay for the tour that shows you maps and tells you what you will be seeing while you are down in the lava tube. The explanation was perfect because it gave you enough information to enjoy the tour without overwhelming or borring you. They give you very bright, high quality flash lights to take with you into the lava tube. There was a single man going on the tour, so they gave him a second flashlight in case his were to fail. If your light goes out and you are alone you literally cannot see your hand in front of your face. There is a railing along the path in the lava tube, but the ground is somewhat uneven. If you have trouble walking, this tour is probably not for you. The uneven ground and the limited lighting could spell disaster if you are wobbly on your feet. There are signs along the path that explain what you are looking at, including signs marking the fallout shelter that used to be located in the lava tube. The fact that the tour is self guided is fantastic because you don't have to worry about being rushed along. The cool temperature in the cavern is also a nice break from the oppressive Maui heat. Overall, this was one of my favorite things that we did while in Maui. It was well worth the time and money.
Written 25 October 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenneth M
Merced, CA10 contributions
Apr 2018
Yeah, ok, so the eruption was a thousand years ago and the red-hot laval flowed out the end of the tube. Still, it's cool seeing where the river of lava once flowed from the inside of a lava tube.
Written 13 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vrodz8
Morrison, CO137 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
This is a self-guided lava tube tour below ground in Hana. You are equipped with a flashlight and a "See you when you return!" I will admit I may have watched too many suspense/horror films in my day making me think I might just have been lured in by the nice young man with the soothing voice... haha Although it is a little eerie, it is really a cool experience and there are others down there at the same time. It is not crowded and does not take long to get to the end of the tour and back. Well worth the time and small fee.
Written 7 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there bats or snakes or any type of creepy crawler inside the cave? We have someone with us who doesn't like some types of wildlife!
Written 8 August 2017
No snakes... didn't see any bats... and there are some bugs... nothing dangerous though
Written 23 July 2019
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