Description:
Basalt is the most common rock in Hawaii. It’s a type of igneous rock, which means it forms from lava that cools and hardens. Basalt usually has a dark gray to black color, and if you look closely, you might see tiny crystals inside it.

Location:
Basalt rocks are found all over Hawaii, especially on the beaches and around the active volcanoes on the Big Island, like Kilauea.

Uses:
In ancient Hawaii, people used basalt to make tools like adzes (a type of axe) and for building walls. Today, it’s used in construction, for things like road building, and sometimes even in landscaping.

Benefits:
Basalt is very strong, which is why it’s great for construction. The black sand beaches made from eroded basalt are a popular tourist attraction in Hawaii.

Fun Fact:
The famous black sand beaches, like Punalu’u Beach, are made from tiny pieces of basalt, which have broken down over time from volcanic rock into sand.

Description:
Pumice is a light, airy rock that’s actually so light it can float on water! It has a rough, bubbly texture because it forms from lava that cools very quickly and traps gas bubbles inside.

Location:
Pumice is less common than basalt but can still be found in Hawaii, especially near areas with explosive volcanic eruptions.

Uses:
Pumice is often used as an abrasive material. This means it can be used to scrub things clean, like dead skin from feet, or even to polish stones.

Benefits:
Because it’s lightweight and porous (full of tiny holes), pumice is great for use in products that need a rough surface to clean or polish. It’s also used in soil mixes to help plants grow better.

Fun Fact:
The air bubbles trapped inside pumice are why it can float on water, making it one of the few rocks that can do this!

Description:
Obsidian is a smooth, shiny black rock that looks a lot like glass. It forms when lava cools so quickly that it doesn’t have time to crystallize, making it appear like natural glass.

Location:
Obsidian isn’t as common as basalt or pumice in Hawaii, but it can sometimes be found near volcanic areas where lava has cooled very rapidly.

Uses:
Ancient Hawaiians and other cultures used obsidian to make sharp tools and arrowheads. Today, it’s often used to make jewelry and decorative items because of its glossy, dark appearance.

Benefits:
Obsidian’s sharp edges made it ideal for tools in the past. Its unique, beautiful look makes it popular in jewelry.

Fun Fact:
Obsidian can be so sharp that it was used in ancient times as a cutting tool, and even today, some surgeons use obsidian scalpels for certain surgeries!