One of most devastating explosions in Hawaiian history occurred in 1790 . The eruption released volcanic ash , which formed spheres of tephra known as accretionary lapilli due to the effect of electrostatic forces and moisture . Chief Keōua Kuahuula was traveling then around Kīlauea to Kaū , after battling the dominant chief Kamehameha I . At least 80 Hawaiian warriors suffocated when volcanic ash entered their lungs . The footprints preserved in the ash were supposedly of these warriors . However , recent research indicates a variety of people used this area for hundreds of years
One of most devastating explosions in Hawaiian history
Keanakakoi eruption
Kaʻū Desert