September 22, 2008 - Hilo, HI - Located along Kaumana Drive, just past mile marker #4, is the Kaumana Caves park entrance. The cave is actually a skylight, or collapsed section, of lava tube created by a 1881 flow that threatened the city of Hilo. It is said that Princess Ruth Ke`elikolani stood before the lava flow and petitioned Pele through prayer in the hopes the city would be spared. Her prayers were answered. The opening of this cave is over two miles long, however a sign posted by the county at the descending staircase warns that the cave system "traverses onto private property which you are not permitted to enter without permission." There are also danger signs, warning of the risks commonly associated with caves, and "danger is increased in a seismically active and flood prone area". Entry into the cave "signifies that you waive all rights to hold the County of Hawaii liable".