Karst Cave Hiking Adventure: Moili'ili Karst Exploration
Rather than go into a long dissertation about how this limestone cave system was created here under the shadow of the Ko'olau Volcano, the short version is that a very long time ago the sea level on O'ahu was much higher and the area near the University of Hawaii was once covered by a coral reef.
As the sea levels dropped the reef was exposed to the air and died. Springs and runoff from the mountains above ate into the limestone layer left by the reef creating a network of caves. Most have either collapsed or been filled in over the years.
These systems are also found other places on the leeward coast. This fantastic link that explains everything about this system in far more detail than I could.
Before we go further, despite what the link says the water in the cave system is anything but clean just from visual observation.
Further, access to the system is tenuous at best and there is a danger of both flash flooding and the possibility of a cave in.
Neither scenario is a good one because there is only one way in and one way out of the cave. No directions and no names and, for the record, I was never there either.
I didn't see much in the way of plant or animal life, just a few roots hanging from the ceiling from trees above and some type of small fish. In fact I'd call it more of a guppy than a fish. Others reported seeing some type of shrimp.
I didn't see much in the way of plant or animal life, just a few roots hanging from the ceiling from trees above and some type of small fish. In fact I'd call it more of a guppy than a fish. Others reported seeing some type of shrimp.
Someone spotted a centipede- something no one was excited to hear about but it made for great conversation about how many more there might be down here, what mutant sizes they would reach, and how their appetite for human flesh would have developed.
While it wasn't much of a hike or trail, I'm glad to have had the opportunity to visit this unique and interesting place. Perhaps someday I'll return but I can assure you, it won't be alone and it won't be anytime soon!
The Moiliili Karst Formation http://explorebiodiversity.com/Hawaii/hikes/Moiliili/cavemap.html
http://explorebiodiversity.com/Hawaii/hikes/Moiliili/caveorganisms.html
Moili'ili Karst Cave Exploration http://www.alohafrom808.com/2012/06/moiliili-karst-cave-exploration-june-2012/
Moili'ili Karst Exploration http://notsogreathikingblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/moiliili-karst-exploration.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RrGTMYk5cXI
Moiliili Karst http://easyhikerhawaii.blogspot.com/2012/07/moiliili-karst.html
Mōʻiliʻili Karst (Mōʻiliʻili Water Cave)http://totakeresponsibility.blogspot.com/2012/12/moiliili-karst-moiliili-water-cave.html
