The Kumukahi Lighthouse was built in 1934, and stands 125 feet tall, which marks the easternmost point of the Hawaiian Islands. The air here is considered “virgin” in its purity because the North-east trade winds bring air here that has not been over land for weeks. Samples are collected by Scientists around the world to benchmark “clean air”. The lava flow was threatened to destroy the lighthouse in 1960. Right before the lava reached the tower; the lava parted and flowed around the tower. The legend says the Kumukahi Lighthouse was spared because of Pele, the volcano goddess. She protected the lighthouse because of the kindness the light-keeper displayed. You can easily see the flow of ‘a’a lava around the lighthouse.
DIRECTIONS:
Take Highway 132 past Lava Tree State Park to the end at Highway 137. Across the road is a dirt road, follow this road 1.7 miles to Cape Kumukahi where the lighthouse stands near the ocean