Cape Kumukahi Light, Maritime beacon at Cape Kumukahi, easternmost point of Hawaii, United States.
Cape Kumukahi Light is a navigational tower at the easternmost point of Hawaii, featuring a skeletal steel structure rising about 125 feet above volcanic terrain. The beacon flashes white light every six seconds to guide ships across the open ocean.
The lighthouse was built in 1934, replacing an earlier wooden tower constructed in 1928. Engineers designed the foundation to withstand seismic activity and volcanic movements in this geologically active region.
The location holds significance in Hawaiian mythology, as the cape bears the name of Chief Kumukahi who challenged the fire goddess Pele.
The site is accessible by a local road and provides views of the surrounding volcanic coastline and ocean. Visitors should prepare for strong winds and intense sun exposure at this exposed headland location.
During the 1960 Kilauea eruption, approaching lava streams split and flowed around the tower, leaving it completely undamaged. This remarkable survival remains memorable in local history.
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