It was amazing to come across these structures in Lava Tree State Park, and the panorama is one I am fond of. These structures are quite unusual as they need a fast moving lava flow that encases the trees and solidifies around the trunks only for much of the lava to drain away leaving the tree encasing intact. After about 300 years, much of the surrounding area has grown back, and the pictures shows the lush jungle found around Pahoa on Hawaii.

Lava Tree State Monument - Hawaii Island visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Lava Tree State Monument' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Hawaii.

Panorama taken from Lava Tree State Monument in the Puna District of Hawaii Island. Lava Tree State Monument is in the Nanawale Forest Reserve and preserves some of impact of a fast moving lava flow during an eruption of Kilauea Volcano's east rift zone in 1790. The lava hit a stand of wet 'O'hia trees. Some of the lava solidified around the burning trunks leaving hollow pillars once the lava flow had drained away and the dead trees rotted. These structures are different to lava tubes, such as the Thurston Lava Tube in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The ancient vertical tubes have become covered in moss and other growths in the ensuing centuries.

Travel and Getting There:
Follow the I-11 to Kea'au, then the H-130 to Pahoa followed by H-132 to Lava Tree State Monument.