At almost 5800 feet above sea level one would want to thumb a ride, instead of walk, to the top of Pu’u Kukui Mountain summit. This picture was taken during a clear moment between normal rain falls that average more than most places on earth. In fact, Pu’u Kukui receives more than 385 inches of rain a year, making it the second wettest place in Hawaii.
In Hawaiian “Kukui” means a lamp, light, or torch. A nut from the candlenut tree that was used for lighting oil is called the kukui nut.
Access to the summit and much of the area surrounding it is restricted to researchers and managers of a private nature reserve.
