David Douglas (25 June 1799 – 12 July 1834) was a Scottish botanist. He was born to John Douglas, a stonemason, and Jean Drummond. He worked as a gardener, and explored the Scottish Highlands, North America, and Hawaii, where he died.
He first briefly visited Hawaii in 1830 on his way to the Pacific Northwest. He returned again in December 1833 intending to spend three months of winter there. He was only the second European to reach the summit of the Mauna Loa volcano. He died under mysterious circumstances while climbing Mauna Kea in Hawaiʻi at the age of 35 in 1834. He apparently fell into a pit trap and was possibly crushed by a bull that fell into the same trap. He was last seen at the hut of Englishman Edward "Ned" Gurney, a bullock hunter and escaped convict. Gurney was also suspected in Douglas's death, as Douglas was said to have been carrying more money than Gurney subsequently delivered with the body. However, most investigators have concluded that Gurney's account was true.
Douglas was buried in an unmarked common grave near Mission House in Honolulu, Hawaii. Later, in 1856, a marker was erected on an outside wall at Kawaiahao Church (Kawaiahao Church Cemetery). A monument was built at the spot where Douglas died by members of the Hilo Burns Society including David McHattie Forbes. It is called Ka lua kauka, "Doctor's Pit", in the Hawaiian language. A small stand of Douglas-fir trees has been planted there.
Although the common name Douglas-fir refers to him, the tree's scientific name Pseudotsuga menziesii, honors a rival botanist, Archibald Menzies. Several Hawaiian plants were named after him in earlier taxonomies, such as Pandanus tectorius known in Hawaiian as hala. Over eighty species of plant and animal have douglasii in their scientific names, in his honor. He introduced several hundred plants to Great Britain and hence to Europe. There is a memorial to David Douglas in his birthplace of Scone.
This cache is located on Mana Road near the memorial tablet to Dr. David Douglas. When approaching this cache from the Mauna Kea side of Mana Road, a high clearance 2WD vehicle is okay, but take it slow. Use caution if it has been raining. Do not drive past the memorial without a 4WD vehicle! This cache is located at about the 18 mile marker from the top of Mana Road. BYOP and a picnic lunch. This is open range land, so do not go beyond 20ft. on either side of the road and watch for livestock. Follow the gate rule: if it is closed, close it behind you and if it is open, leave it open. There is a designated trail down to the memorial and is part of the Na Ala Hele Trail System.
An FTF prize awaits.