Mauna Kea Ice Age Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mauna Kea Ice Age Reserve |
|
|---|---|
Terminal moraines (m) and glacial till (w)
|
|
| Location | Island of Hawaiʻi |
| Nearest city | Hilo, Hawaiʻi |
| Area | 3,894 acres (1,576 ha) |
| Established | 1981 |
| Governing body | State Reserve |
The Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve is a special place in Hawaii. It's a state natural reserve found on the southern side of Mauna Kea, a very tall mountain on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. This reserve is famous for two main things: its amazing Ice Age features and the ancient Mauna Kea Adz Quarry.
Contents
Exploring the Mauna Kea Reserve
The Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve is a huge area, covering about 3,894 acres. It was created in 1981 to protect its unique natural and historical treasures.
Where is the Reserve?
You can reach this reserve from the Saddle Road (also known as Hawaii Route 200). It's about 24 miles (39 km) northwest of Hilo. A road called the Mauna Kea access road leads north from Saddle Road at an elevation of about 6,600 feet (2,012 meters). This road was unofficially named after John A. Burns, who was the Governor of Hawaii when it was built in 1964.
The reserve starts around 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) high and goes up to about 13,000 feet (3,962 meters), just below the Mauna Kea Observatory. This land is managed by the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources, which helps protect Hawaii's natural places.
Cool Discoveries in the Reserve
In 1998, the area around the Mauna Kea Observatory was changed so that the Ice Age reserve would be kept separate and protected.
There's a small area within the reserve called Puʻu Pōhaku. It's a rocky cinder cone that has something very rare: permafrost! Permafrost is ground that stays frozen all year round, which is super unusual to find in a warm, tropical place like Hawaii.
In 2004, scientists found a special insect here called the wēkiu bug (Nysius wekiuicola). This tiny bug is very unique and lives only in these high, cold parts of Mauna Kea.
|
Mauna Kea Adz Quarry
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Nearest city | Hilo, Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000285 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 29, 1962 |
The Ancient Mauna Kea Adz Quarry
One of the most important parts of the reserve is the Mauna Kea Adz Quarry. This quarry was used by ancient Hawaiians long ago.
What Was the Quarry Used For?
Hawaiians came to this quarry to get a type of rock called basalt. They used this strong rock to make stone tools, especially blades for adzes. An adze is a special tool, a bit like an axe, used for carving wood, especially for making canoes.
This quarry is located very high up on Mauna Kea, above 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) in elevation. It's considered the largest ancient quarry in the entire world! The Hawaiian name for this quarry was Keanakākoʻi.
Archaeological Discoveries
The quarry isn't just a place where rocks were dug up. It's a whole archaeological site. This means archaeologists have found many other interesting things here, including:
- Religious shrines, which were sacred places.
- Old trails that the Hawaiians used to travel.
- Rock shelters, where people might have rested or stayed overnight.
- Petroglyphs, which are ancient carvings made on rocks.
Protecting History
Because of its huge historical importance, the Mauna Kea Adz Quarry has been officially recognized and protected:
- On December 29, 1962, it was added to the list of National Historic Landmarks in Hawaii.
- On October 15, 1966, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii.
- On May 21, 1981, it was also added to Hawaii's state register of historic places.
Even further up the trail from the quarry, within the reserve, you can find Lake Waiau. It's a small, unique lake located near the summit of Mauna Kea.
