Kauai HI

Cheap airline tickets to San Francisco, CA departing from Kauai, HI (LIH) Your guide to cheap airline tickets & hot airfare deals. Cheap flights Home Get your Free Deals Alert Newsletter! Search flights Book airline tickets Useful flight tools Why sign up? From: List all Departures To: List all Destinations Cheap flights to San Francisco, CA - depart from Kauai, HI (LIH) Alternative destinations that may save you $: Oakland [11 miles] San Jose [30 miles] More about these airfares Best Deals Discount Business Class From / To Dates Details Price Vendor Sponsored Positions From: Kauai, HI (LIH) To: San Francisco, CA (SFO) Travel valid from: Mar 01, 2006 Travel valid until: Mar 28, 2006 Purchase by: Mar 14, 2006 Adv. purchase: 14 days Min/Max Stay: 3-30 days $530 Round-trip Taxes & Fees Excl. American Airlines Book Online Toll-Free Offer Updated: 14 hours ago From: Kauai, HI (LIH) To: San Francisco, CA (SFO) Travel valid from: Jan 25, 2006 Travel valid until: Feb 14, 2006 Adv. purchase: 0 days Restrictions: Mo/Tu/We/Th $421 Round-trip Taxes & Fees Excl. CheapAir.com Book Online Offer Updated: 8 hours ago From: Kauai, HI (LIH) To: San Francisco, CA (SFO) Depart: Mar 01, 2006 Return: Mar 08, 2006 Other dates & prices offered Weekday Fare Airline: United Airlines $514 Round-trip Taxes & Fees Excl. Est. $45 CheapTickets Website Toll-Free Offer Updated: 4 days ago Offers listed alphabetically by vendor From: Kauai, HI (LIH) To: San Francisco, CA (SFO) Depart: Feb 22, 2006 Return: Mar 01, 2006 Other dates & prices offered Airline: Hawaiian Airlines $405 Round-trip Taxes & Fees Excl. Book with: 1800CheapSeats.com Book Online Offer Updated: 4 days ago From: Kauai, HI (LIH) To: San Francisco, CA (SFO) Depart: Feb 15, 2006 Return: Feb 22, 2006 Other dates & prices offered Weekday Fare Airline: Island Air $521 Round-trip Taxes & Fees Excl. Est. $62 Book with: CheapTickets Website | Toll-Free Offer Updated: 4 days ago From: Kauai, HI (LIH) To: San Francisco, CA (SFO) Depart: Mar 02, 2006 Return: Mar 05, 2006 Other dates & prices offered Weekend Fare Airline: United Airlines $532 Round-trip Taxes & Fees Excl. Est. $39 Book with: CheapTickets Website | Toll-Free Offer Updated: 4 days ago From: Kauai, HI (LIH) To: San Francisco, CA (SFO) Depart: Feb 09, 2006 Return: Feb 12, 2006 Other dates & prices offered Weekend Fare Airline: Aloha Airlines $567 Round-trip Taxes & Fees Excl. Est. $63 Book with: CheapTickets Website | Toll-Free Offer Updated: 5 days ago From: Kauai, HI (LIH) To: San Francisco, CA (SFO) Depart: Feb 23, 2006 Return: Feb 26, 2006 Other dates & prices offered Weekend Fare Airline: Island Air $581 Round-trip Taxes & Fees Excl. Est. $60 Book with: CheapTickets Website | Toll-Free Offer Updated: 5 days ago From: Kauai, HI (LIH) To: San Francisco, CA (SFO) Depart: Feb 15, 2006 Return: Feb 22, 2006 Other dates & prices offered Selected Dates Only $521 Round-trip Taxes & Fees Excl. Book with: Orbitz Book Online | Toll-Free Offer Updated: 3 days ago From: Kauai, HI (LIH) To: San Francisco, CA (SFO) Travel valid from: Mar 01, 2006 Travel valid until: Mar 30, 2006 Purchase by: Mar 16, 2006 Adv. purchase: 14 days Min/Max Stay: 3-30 days $515 Round-trip Taxes & Fees Excl. Book with: United Airlines Website | Toll-Free Offer Updated: 3 days ago Best Deals Discount Business Class These prices are a guide to San Francisco, CA airlines tickets from Kauai, HI (LIH) . They are round trip airfares and do not include taxes or fees unless stated. Airfares are listed alphabetically by airlines/agent, some pay for sponsored positioning. Flights to San Francisco, CA: Change departure point For printable telephone numbers for all companies see our telephone quicklist Book Airline Tickets Note: These searches do not include the deals above and may not return the cheapest fares. Search our partners' online booking engines Flights to San Francisco, California from Lihue Departure Date: Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Jul 2006 Aug 2006 Sep 2006 Oct 2006 Nov 2006 Dec 2006 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Return Date: Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Jul 2006 Aug 2006 Sep 2006 Oct 2006 Nov 2006 Dec 2006 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Ticket type: One way Return Adults: 1 adult 2 adults 3 adults 4 adults 5 adults 6 adults Search using: About the booking engines Have a question on an existing booking? My flight destination begins with: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Help | Feedback | Site map | About us | Careers Cheap flights (UK & Ireland) | Cheap Holidays | Short Breaks | Discount Hotels | International departures © 2003 - 2006 Cheapflights (USA) Inc All rights reserved Bookmark Us | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

Hawaii Honeymoon

Maui Hotels - Kaanapali Beach Hotel - Hawaii Vacation Packages Discover Maui's Hawaiian Hotel Kaanapali Beach Hotel is the ideal vacation experience for travelers worldwide. Come explore why the hotel has been named as one of the world's Best Places to Stay by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine, and Travel & Leisure Magazine's #1 Best Value Hotel in Hawaii . Online Reservations The Resort, Rooms, and Rates Kupanaha: Maui Magic for All Ages -- Discounted Maui Travel Packages View Our Hotel Video Discounted Air, Room & Car Inclusive Packages NEW! The official website of Kaanapali Beach Hotel features comprehensive information about Maui's Most Hawaiian Hotel and Maui, including award-winning dining , numerous ocean and land activities , Hawaiian activities at the hotel, planning a Maui wedding , our complimentary kids program , guest comments , and much more! Website Spotlight Save on Airfare Save $$ By Booking Air, Room & Car Together. Internet Specials See the Whales on Maui and Save $260! Room Information Take a 360 virtual tour and learn everything about our rooms. Vacation Packages We have a package for every desire. Book a Maui vacation package and save! The Plantation Inn Looking for a Bed & Breakfast? Click here! Best Places to Stay Gold List Conde Nast Traveler Magazine Hawaii's Most Hawaiian Hotel Waiaha Foundation #1 Best Value in Hawaii Travel & Leisure Magazine Home | FAQs | About Us | Contact Us | Travel Agent Resources | Site Map 2525 Kaanapali Parkway • Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761 USA Toll Free U.S. & Canada: +1-800-262-8450 • Worldwide Direct: +1-808-661-0011 Reservations Fax: +1-808-667-5978 • Guest Fax: +1-808-667-5616

OAHU GOLF COURSES Sponsor:

Oahu Golf Courses Activities Oahu Printer Friendly Version Help us preserve the Islands. Tell our advertisers you found them on Alternative-Hawaii. SPORTS & RECREATION (See also Adventures & Tours ) OAHU GOLF COURSES Sponsor: Ann Cecil's Photography - Visit a Michelle Wie Pictorial PUBLIC / SEMI-PRIVATE | MUNICIPAL | PRIVATE | MILITARY | ASSOCIATIONS DEFINITIONS Public - no restrictions on public play. Semi-private - some restrictions on public play. Municipal - public courses operated by local government. Private - normally not open to the public. Military - open to active duty military, military retirees, reservists, National Guardsmen, Department of Defense civilian employees & their dependents. Yards - longest yardage - to the back tees. PUBLIC / SEMI-PRIVATE BAY VIEW GOLF PARK 45-285 Kaneohe Bay Drive Kaneohe, HI 96744 (Windward Oahu) Tel. (808) 247-0451 Great views of Kaneohe Bay. Public. 18-Holes. Par 60; 3399 Yards. Photo CORAL CREEK GOLF COURSE 91-1111 Geiger Road Ewa Beach, HI 96706 (Southwest Oahu) Tel. (808) 441-GOLF Designed to expose natural coral rock formations in cliff-like structures. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6870 Yards. Photo - Site HAWAII COUNTRY CLUB P.O. Box 861634 94-1211 Kunia Road Wahiawa, HI 96786 (Central Oahu) Tel. (808) 621-5654 The oldest public course on Oahu. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 5916 Yards. Photo - Site HAWAII KAI CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE 8902 Kalanianaole Highway Honolulu, HI 96825 (Honolulu / Hawaii Kai Area) Tel. (808) 395-2358 Challenging course with mountain and ocean views. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6614 Yards. Photo - Site HAWAII KAI EXECUTIVE GOLF COURSE 8902 Kalanianaole Highway Honolulu, HI 96825 (Hawaii Kai District) Tel. (808) 395-2358 Original design by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Public. 18-Holes. Par 54; 2223 Yards. Site HAWAII PRINCE GOLF CLUB 91-1200 Fort Weaver Road Ewa Beach, HI 96706 (West Honolulu District) Tel. (808) 944-4567 Resort course designed by Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay. Public. Three 9-Hole Courses (A, B, C). Par 72. A&B 7117 Yards; B&C 7255 Yards; C&A 7166 Yards. Photo - Site KAPOLEI GOLF COURSE 91-701 Farrington Highway Kapolei, HI 96707 (Leeward Oahu) Tel. (808) 674-2227 Ted Robinson designed course. Five strategically placed lakes & 802 bunkers. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 7001 Yards. KO OLINA GOLF CLUB 92-1220 Alii Nui Drive Kapolei, HI 96707 (Leeward Oahu) Tel. (808) 676-5300 Ted Robinson designed resort course. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6867 Yards. Photo - Site KOOLAU GOLF COURSE 45-550 Kionaole Road Kaneohe, HI 96744 (Windward Oahu) Tel. (808) 236-4653 Considered by many to be the toughest course in the nation. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 7310 Yards. Photo - Site LUANA HILLS COUNTRY CLUB 770 Auloa Road Kailua, HI 96734 (Windward Oahu) Tel. (808) 262-2139 Dye designed course situated deep inside a rain forest. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6595 Yards. Photo - Site MAKAHA RESORT GOLF CLUB - MAKAHA WEST 84-626 Makaha Valley Road Waianae, HI 96792 (Leeward Oahu) Tel. (808) 695-7519 Championship resort course in beautiful setting. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 7077 Yards. Photo - Site MAKAHA VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB - MAKAHA EAST 84-627 Makaha Valley Road Waianae, HI 96792 (Leeward Oahu) Tel. (808) 695-7111 One of two courses in the valley of the peacocks! Public. 18-Holes. Par 71; 6369 Yards. Photo - Site MID-PACIFIC COUNTRY CLUB 266 Kaelepulu Drive Kailua, HI 96734 (Windward Oahu) Tel. (808) 261-9765 Championship course with panoramic views. Semi-private. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6792 Yards. Site MILILANI GOLF CLUB 95-176 Kuahelani Avenue Mililani, HI 96789 (Central Oahu) Tel. (808) 623-2222 Backdrop view of the Waianae Mountain Range. Semi-private. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6455 Yards. Site MOANALUA GOLF CLUB 1250 Ala Aolani Street Honolulu, HI 96819 (West Honolulu District) Tel. (808) 839-2311 Hawaii's oldest golf course built in 1898. Semi-private (no reservations required). 9-Holes. Par 36; 2972 Yards (non members required to play 2 rounds-18-holes). NEW EWA BEACH GOLF CLUB 91-050 Fort Weaver Road Ewa Beach, HI 96706 (West Honolulu District) Tel. (808) 689-8351 Designed around native Hawaiian foliage and landscape. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6541 Yards. OLOMANA GOLF LINKS 41-1801 Kalanianaole Highway Waimanalo, HI 96795 (Windward Oahu) Tel. (808) 259-7926 Views of the Koolau Mountain Range. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6326 Yards. PEARL COUNTRY CLUB 98-535 Kaonohi Street Aiea, HI 96701 (West Honolulu District) Tel. (808) 487-3802 Great view of Pearl Harbor. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6787 Yards. Photo - Site ROYAL KUNIA COUNTRY CLUB 94-1509 Anonui Street Waipahu, HI 96797 (Southwest Oahu) Tel. (808) 688-9222 Views of Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 7007 Yards. Photo - Site TURTLE BAY RESORT - FAZIO COURSE 57-091 Kamehameha Highway Kahuku, HI 96731 (North Shore Oahu) Tel. (808) 293-8574 Resort course designed by George Fazio. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6535 Yards. Site TURTLE BAY RESORT - PALMER COURSE 57-091 Kamehameha Highway Kahuku, HI 96731 (North Shore Oahu) Tel. (808) 293-8574 Championship resort course designed by Arnold Palmer. Public. 18-Holes. Par 72; 7199 Yards. Photo - Site WAIKELE GOLF CLUB 94-200 Paioa Place Waikele, HI 96797 (Central Oahu) Tel. (808) 676-9000 Ted Robinson design - overlooking Pearl Harbor. Semi-private. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6663 Yards. Photo - Site Top MUNICIPAL ALA WAI GOLF COURSE 404 Kapahulu Avenue Honolulu, HI 96815 (Honolulu / Kapahulu Area) Tel. (808) 733-7387 Flat course along the Ala Wai Canal, adjacent to Waikiki. Municipal. 18-Holes. Par 70; 5861 Yards. Photo - Site EWA VILLAGES GOLF COURSE 91-1760 Park Row Street Ewa Beach, HI 96706 (Southwest Oahu) Tel. (808) 681-0220 Very challenging course. Municipal. 18-Holes; Par 73; 6455 Yards. Site KAHUKU GOLF COURSE Kahuku, HI 96731 (North Shore Oahu) Tel. (808) 293-5842 Sporty, seaside links course. Municipal. 9-Holes. Par 70; 5,398 Yards (18 holes). Site PALI GOLF COURSE 45-050 Kamehameha Highway Kaneohe, HI 96744 (Windward Oahu) Tel. (808) 266-7610 Picturesque hillside course with ocean and mountain views. Municipal. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6524 Yards. Site TED MAKALENA GOLF COURSE 93-059 Waipio Point Access Road Waipahu, HI 96796 (Southwest Oahu) Tel. (808) 675-6052 Flat, walking course. Municipal. 18-Holes. Par 71; 5976 Yards. Site WEST LOCH GOLF COURSE 91-1126 Okupe Street Ewa Beach, HI 96706 (Leeward Oahu) Tel. (808) 675-6076 Challenging short course with a variety of water features. Municipal. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6335 Yards. Site Top PRIVATE HONOLULU COUNTRY CLUB 1690 Ala Puumalu Street Honolulu, HI 96818 (Southwest Oahu) Phone (808) 441-9400 Designed by Francis Duane and Arnold Palmer. Private. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6,438 Yards. Site OAHU COUNTRY CLUB 150 Country Club Road Honolulu, HI 96817 (Honolulu / Nuuanu Pali Area) Tel. (808) 595-6331 The oldest private country club west of the Rockies. Private. 18-Holes. Par 71; 5820 Yards. Photo - Site WAIALAE COUNTRY CLUB 4997 Kahala Avenue Honolulu, HI. 96816 (Honolulu / Kahala Area) Tel. (808) 732-1457 Site of the annual PGA Sony Open in Hawaii. Private. 18-Holes. Par 72; 7012 Yards. Photo Top MILITARY BARBERS POINT GOLF COURSE - NAVY Access Road, Barber's Point Kapolei, HI 96707 (Leeward Oahu) Telephone: (808) 682-1911 Flat course with excellent greens. Military. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6403 Yards. Site HICKAM GOLF COURSE - MAMALA BAY - AIR FORCE Hickam Airforce Base 900 Hangar Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96853 (Southwest Oahu) Tel. 449-6490 Championship course on the ocean. Military. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6868 Yards. Site KANEOHE KLIPPER GOLF COURSE - MARINES Box 63073, MCBH Kaneohe Bay, HI 96863 (Windward Oahu) Tel. 254-2107 Championship course with ocean & mountain views. Military. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6269 Yards. Photo - Site LEILEHUA GOLF COURSE - ARMY Schofield Barracks Schofield, HI 96857 (Central Oahu) Tel. 655-4653 Treelined surrounded by magnificent Eucalyptus and Palm Trees. Military. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6916 Yards. Photo - Site NAVY MARINE GOLF COURSE 943 Valkenburgh Street Honolulu, HI 96818 (Honolulu / Airport Area) Tel. 471-0348 Rated among the military's top 10 courses in the world! Military. 18-Holes. Par 72; 6406 Yards. Site WALTER J. NAGORSKI GOLF COURSE - ARMY Fort Shafter, HI 96858 (Honolulu / Aiea Area) Tel. 438-9587 Hilly course with panoramic views. Military. 9-Holes. Par 34; 2837 Yards. Site Top ASSOCIATIONS ALOHA SECTION PGA 770 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 706 Honolulu, HI 96813 (Honolulu / Ala Moana Area) Tel. (808) 593-2230 Committed to promoting the game of golf, elevating the standards of the golf professional, and providing educational opportunities and tournaments for its members. Site CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU Dept. of Parks and Recreation Golf Course Division 404 Kapahulu Avenue Honolulu, HI 96815 (Honolulu / Kapahulu Area) Tel. (808) 733-7381 (Office) or (808) 296-2000 (Reservation Line) Free information line and tee time reservation system for all six municipal courses. Site HAWAII STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION 770 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 701 Honolulu, HI 96813 (Honolulu / Ala Moana Area) Tel: (808) 589-2909 A nonprofit organization, founded in 1984, to enhance the enjoyment and preserve the traditions and integrity of golf, and serve the best interest of golfers in Hawaii. Site Top Hawaii Golf Courses Index | Sports & Recreation Index | Activities Index | Home Page Contact Us | Sponsor Join Us Form ©Ala Mua Hawaii 1997

Honolulu. DPP Services Planning

function resizeGraphic() {var targetWidth = mastheadTxt.style.width;var targetHeight = mastheadTxt.style.height;var newWidth = (document.body.offsetWidth/1.38);var newHeight = (newWidth/9.3);if (newWidth 594) {mastheadTxt.style.width = 594;mastheadTxt.style.height = 64;} else {mastheadTxt.style.width = newWidth;mastheadTxt.style.height = newHeight;}} Home Planning Info Permitting Info Download Permits Hot Issues HoLIS Calendar of Events About DPP Search We provide services and information on building permits, development projects, and planning activities for the City and County of Honolulu. DPP Services Planning Information Details about the Department's efforts in developing long term goals and policies that address the physical, social, economic, and environmental concerns of the communities. Permitting Information The Department of Planning and Permitting is responsible for processing applications for land use approvals, zoning and land use permits, construction and building permits and engineering and subdivison permits. Applications & Forms Information, applications, and forms to obtain permits are available to download. City Home Page Hot Issues Interesting issues or projects that currently involve the Department. Honolulu Land Information System (GIS) The Honolulu Land Information System (HoLIS) is an enterprise-wide Geographic Information System (GIS) with land use, permit, tax, infrastructure, and environmental data. Calendar of Events Schedule of events for departmental activities and daily bulletins. About the Department of Planning and Permitting Organizational and contact information for the Department. Quick Links Honolulu Internet Permit System (HIPS). View status of building permits online and calculate permit fees. One Stop Permit Center View customer number being served at Honolulu Municipal Building. The current number is:   1 GIS GIS Maps and Data . Jan. 26, 2006 Kahaluu Community Master Plan Public Workshop Nov. 3, 2005 and Jan. 12, 2006 Ala Moana - Sheridan Community Plan Public Meeting Nov. 29, 2004 Announcing! -- Third Party Review enables optional permit processing. Rules , Application Forms and the Certification form are now available. List of Qualified Individuals and Third Party Firms. Sept. 16, 2004 Information about Political Signage. May 5, 2004 Design Guidelines for all 7 Special Districts are now available online. June 16, 2003 New Permit Fees Summary Table, effective June 20, 2003. Building and Permit Fees and Services by Dept. of Planning and Permitting -- City and County of Honolulu Department of Permitting & Planning 650 So. King St, Honolulu, HI 96813 Fax: (808) 527-6743 E-mail: info@honoluludpp.org 2000 City and County of Honolulu. All Rights Reserved.

Hawaiian Islands,which are entirely

Hotspots [This Dynamic Earth, USGS] The vast majority of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur near plateboundaries, but there are some exceptions. For example, the Hawaiian Islands,which are entirely of volcanic origin, have formed in the middle of thePacific Ocean more than 3,200 km from the nearest plate boundary. How dothe Hawaiian Islands and other volcanoes that form in the interior of platesfit into the plate-tectonics picture? Space Shuttle photograph of the Hawaiian Islands, the southernmostpart of the long volcanic trail of the "Hawaiian hotspot" (seetext). Kauai is in the lower right corner (edge) and the Big Island of Hawaiiin the upper left corner. Note the curvature of the Earth (top edge). (Photographcourtesy of NASA.) In 1963, J. Tuzo Wilson, the Canadian geophysicist who discovered transformfaults, came up with an ingenious idea that became known as the "hotspot"theory. Wilson noted that in certain locations around the world, such asHawaii, volcanism has been active for very long periods of time. This couldonly happen, he reasoned, if relatively small, long-lasting, and exceptionallyhot regions -- called hotspots -- existed below the plates that wouldprovide localized sources of high heat energy (thermal plumes) tosustain volcanism. Specifically, Wilson hypothesized that the distinctivelinear shape of the Hawaiian Island-Emperor Seamounts chain resulted fromthe Pacific Plate moving over a deep, stationary hotspot in the mantle,located beneath the present-day position of the Island of Hawaii. Heat fromthis hotspot produced a persistent source of magma by partly melting theoverriding Pacific Plate. The magma, which is lighter than the surroundingsolid rock, then rises through the mantle and crust to erupt onto the seafloor,forming an active seamount. Over time, countless eruptions cause the seamountto grow until it finally emerges above sea level to form an island volcano.Wilson suggested that continuing plate movement eventually carries the islandbeyond the hotspot, cutting it off from the magma source, and volcanismceases. As one island volcano becomes extinct, another develops over thehotspot, and the cycle is repeated. This process of volcano growth and death,over many millions of years, has left a long trail of volcanic islands andseamounts across the Pacific Ocean floor. According to Wilson's hotspot theory, the volcanoes of the Hawaiian chainshould get progressively older and become more eroded the farther they travelbeyond the hotspot. The oldest volcanic rocks on Kauai, the northwesternmostinhabited Hawaiian island, are about 5.5 million years old and are deeplyeroded. By comparison, on the "Big Island" of Hawaii -- southeasternmostin the chain and presumably still positioned over the hotspot -- the oldestexposed rocks are less than 0.7 million years old and new volcanic rockis continually being formed. Above: Artist's conception of the movement of the PacificPlate over the fixed Hawaiian "Hot Spot," illustrating the formationof the Hawaiian Ridge-Emperor Seamount Chain. (Modified from a drawing providedby Maurice Krafft, Centre de Volcanologie, France). Below: J. TuzoWilson's original diagram (slightly modified), published in 1963, to showhis proposed origin of the Hawaiian Islands. (Reproduced with permissionof the Canadian Journal of Physics .) The possibility that the Hawaiian Islands become younger to the southeastwas suspected by the ancient Hawaiians, long before any scientific studieswere done. During their voyages, sea-faring Hawaiians noticed the differencesin erosion, soil formation, and vegetation and recognized that the islandsto the northwest (Niihau and Kauai) were older than those to the southeast(Maui and Hawaii). This idea was handed down from generation to generationin the legends of Pele, the fiery Goddess of Volcanoes. Pele originallylived on Kauai. When her older sister Namakaokahai, the Goddess of the Sea,attacked her, Pele fled to the Island of Oahu. When she was forced by Namakaokahaito flee again, Pele moved southeast to Maui and finally to Hawaii, whereshe now lives in the Halemaumau Crater at the summit of Kilauea Volcano.The mythical flight of Pele from Kauai to Hawaii, which alludes to the eternalstruggle between the growth of volcanic islands from eruptions and theirlater erosion by ocean waves, is consistent with geologic evidence obtainedcenturies later that clearly shows the islands becoming younger from northwestto southeast. Prominentworld hotspots [54 k] Although Hawaii is perhaps the best known hotspot, others are thought toexist beneath the oceans and continents. More than a hundred hotspots beneaththe Earth's crust have been active during the past 10 million years. Mostof these are located under plate interiors (for example, the African Plate),but some occur near diverging plate boundaries. Some are concentrated nearthe mid-oceanic ridge system, such as beneath Iceland, the Azores, and theGalapagos Islands. A few hotspots are thought to exist below the North American Plate. Perhapsthe best known is the hotspot presumed to exist under the continental crustin the region of Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming. Hereare several calderas (large craters formed by the ground collapseaccompanying explosive volcanism) that were produced by three gigantic eruptionsduring the past two million years, the most recent of which occurred about600,000 years ago. Ash deposits from these powerful eruptions have beenmapped as far away as Iowa, Missouri, Texas, and even northern Mexico. Thethermal energy of the presumed Yellowstone hotspot fuels more than 10,000hot pools and springs, geysers (like Old Faithful), and bubbling mudpots (pools of boiling mud). A large body of magma, capped by a hydrothermalsystem (a zone of pressurized steam and hot water), still exists beneaththe caldera. Recent surveys demonstrate that parts of the Yellowstone regionrise and fall by as much as 1 cm each year, indicating the area is stillgeologically restless. However, these measurable ground movements, whichmost likely reflect hydrothermal pressure changes, do not necessarily signalrenewed volcanic activity in the area. Authors' Note: Since this booklet's publication in 1996, vigorous scientific debate has ensued regarding volcanism at "hotspots." New studies suggest that hotspots are neither deep phenomena nor "fixed" in position over geologic time, as assumed in the popular plume model. See http://www.mantleplumes.org/ ." Mauna Loa Volcano [36 k] | J. Tuzo Wilson | Longtrail of Hawaiian hotspot | "Contents" "Some unanswered questions" USGS Home Page Top of this Page URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/publications/text/hotspots.html Last updated: 05.05.99 Contact: jmwatson@usgs.gov