Koko Crater facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Koko Crater
Koko Crater with the Koʻolau Range in the background
Highest point
Elevation	1,208 ft (368 m)
Geography
Koko Crater Location in Hawaii
Location	Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States
Geology
Mountain type	Tuff cone
Volcanic arc	Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain

Koko Crater (Hawaiian: Kohelepelepe or Puʻu Mai) is an extinct tuff cone located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu near Hawaii Kai. It is northeast of Hanauma Bay and south of the Koʻolau Range.

Geology

Koko Crater is a part of the Honolulu Volcanics, which were craters that formed as vents of the Koʻolau Volcano during its rejuvenation stage. Other notable landmarks within the Honolulu Volcanics include nearby Hanauma Bay and the well known Diamond Head crater.

Koko Crater, Hanauma Bay and other nearby tuff cones form the Koko Rift Zone, which marks the latest episode of volcanic activity on the island of Oahu. Radiocarbon dating suggests that the latest eruption within the Koko Rift Zone occurred 7,000 years ago, although the validity of these results are disputed. Its elevation is 1,208 ft (368 m), making it the tallest and most preserved tuff cone in the area.

Trail

During World War II, the US military built bunkers on top of Koko Crater with a railroad leading to its summit. In 1966, the air force ceded administration of Koko Crater over to the City of Honolulu. It was then renamed to the Koko Head Regional Park. Within this park is the Koko Crater Trail, which is a 1.8 mile long trail that uses the now-abandoned railroad as its pathway.