Hawaii's volcanoes are not ranked the way most people expect. The most famous one to visit is the shortest of the five, and the tallest is a quiet mountain with telescopes on top. Every height below comes from the US Geological Survey (USGS), checked in October 2026.
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The ranking
| # | Name | Size (ft) | Meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mauna Kea | 13,803 | 4,207 |
| 2 | Mauna Loa | 13,679 | 4,169 |
| 3 | Haleakalā | 10,023 | 3,055 |
| 4 | Hualālai | 8,278 | 2,523 |
| 5 | Kīlauea | 4,009 | 1,222 |
What to know about each
Mauna Kea
The tallest. The USGS lists its last eruption between 6,000 and 4,000 years ago. Most visitors know it for stargazing.
Mauna Loa
Just 124 feet shorter than Mauna Kea. The USGS puts its summit about 55,700 ft above its base, counting the seafloor pressed down beneath it.
Haleakalā
The only one on this list that is not on the Big Island. It is on Maui, and the USGS says it last erupted sometime between 1480 and 1600.
Hualālai
Rises above the Kona and Kohala coast resorts. It is the third-tallest on the Big Island.
Kīlauea
The lowest summit of the five, and the one most visitors come to see. Check the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory for current activity before you go.
Why Mauna Kea counts as taller than Everest
Everest is the highest point above sea level at 29,029 feet. Mauna Kea's summit is 13,803 feet above sea level, but the mountain starts far below the waves. NOAA says it rises more than 33,500 feet from its base to its peak, about 4,471 feet more than Everest's height above sea level.
See it for yourself
Frequently asked questions
What is the tallest volcano in Hawaii?
Mauna Kea on the Big Island, at 13,803 feet (4,207 meters) above sea level, according to the USGS.
Is Mauna Kea taller than Mount Everest?
Measured from its base on the ocean floor, yes. NOAA says Mauna Kea rises more than 33,500 feet from base to peak, while Everest stands 29,029 feet above sea level. Measured from sea level, Everest is far higher.
Which is taller, Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa?
Mauna Kea, by 124 feet. The USGS lists Mauna Kea at 13,803 feet and Mauna Loa at 13,679 feet.
Is Kīlauea the tallest volcano in Hawaii?
No. Kīlauea's summit is 4,009 feet, the lowest of the five volcanoes listed here, even though it is the one most visitors come to see.
Is Haleakalā on the Big Island?
No. Haleakalā is on Maui and reaches 10,023 feet. The other four volcanoes in this list are on the Big Island.
Sources
- USGS: Mauna Kea
- USGS: Mauna Loa
- USGS: Haleakalā
- USGS: Hualālai
- USGS: Kīlauea
- NOAA: What is the highest point on Earth?
Related: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guide · Stargazing at Mauna Kea · Best Big Island hikes · Maui travel guide