‘Disrespectful’ people tossing coins into blistering-hot Hawaii volcano vents, park says

Tourists are throwing coins into steam vents around one of Hawaii’s most active volcanoes — and the National Park Service wants it to stop.

The vents at the Kilauea volcano are not super heated wishing wells.

“We wish we didn’t have to say this, but we do,” Hawaii Volcanoes National Park wrote in a Sept. 20 Facebook post.

“Please do not throw trash or money into the steam vents at Wahinekapu, or anywhere else in the park. ... Rangers risk the possibility of severe burns from the steam when we have to remove rubbish from the vents.”

Wahinekapu is a spot within the park where visitors “feel the breath of the volcano as hot water vapor billows from the earth,” according to the park service. It sits within view of Kilauea’s gaping caldera.

“This striking phenomenon is created as ground water seeps down to rocks heated by magma deep underground. The rocks are so hot that they vaporize the water, returning it to the surface as steam,” park officials said.

The steam averages 145 degrees, which is hot enough to keep trees from growing in the area, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

A lengthy list of reasons was given for why tossing things into the vents is “disrespectful,” including the fact native Hawaiians “cleanse themselves in the mahu, or steam, before cultural protocol at Kilauea summit.”

“You could inadvertently harm or kill others,” the park said. “Steam vents are among the most hazardous features in the park. Money is a temptation if it falls within reach. Someone trying to retrieve money could slip and fall into the scalding steam.”

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park covers about 523 square miles and includes Mauna Loa and Kilauea, “two of the world’s most active volcanoes.”

This story was originally published September 21, 2022 at 9:34 AM with the headline "‘Disrespectful’ people tossing coins into blistering-hot Hawaii volcano vents, park says."