Olokui facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olokui |
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 Olokui
Location in Molokai and Lanai
Olokui
Location in Hawaii
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,602 ft (1,403 m) |
| Prominence | 4,602 ft (1,403 m) |
| Naming | |
| Language of name | Hawaiian |
| Geography | |
| Location | Molokai, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Parent range | Hawaiian Islands |
| Topo map | USGS |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Shield volcano |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Kolo Ridge |
Olokui is a tall mountain on the island of Molokai in Hawaii. It is the second highest peak on Molokai, standing at 4,602 feet (1,403 m) (about 1,403 meters) above sea level. Only Kamakou is taller. Olokui marks the natural border between two important valleys, Pelekunu and Wailau.
This mountain is part of an ancient, inactive volcano called the East Molokai Volcano. This huge volcano makes up the eastern side of Molokai island. Olokui has steep sides. To the west, it meets the Kapapa Pali cliffs. To the south and east, the land drops sharply towards the Pulena stream and the Wailau River.
The Story of Olokui
The name Olokui means "tall hill" in the Hawaiian language. Old stories say that the people from the village of Pelekunu used Olokui as a safe place. They would go there for protection during battles between islands. This shows how important the mountain was to the local people long ago.
A Mountain Born from Fire
Olokui is part of a shield volcano. Imagine a warrior's shield lying on the ground; that's how these volcanoes look. They have gentle slopes because their lava flows easily and spreads out. The East Molokai Volcano, which Olokui belongs to, is no longer active. It hasn't erupted for a very long time.
A Dramatic Collapse
About 1.4 million years ago, something incredible happened. The northern side of the East Molokai Volcano collapsed into the ocean. This was a huge event that changed the shape of the island forever. It created the amazing 3,200-foot (about 975-meter) sea cliffs you can see today along Molokai's northern coast. These cliffs are some of the tallest in the world! Olokui stood strong, even after this massive collapse.
Life at the Summit
At the very top of Olokui, you can find a special kind of wetland called a remote bog. Bogs are like spongy, wet areas of land. They are often found in cool, damp places. The bog on Olokui is similar to those found on other high mountains in Hawaii. These unique environments are home to many rare plants and animals that can only live in such conditions.
