Kahoʻolawe is the smallest of the 8 main volcanic islans in the Hawaiian Islands. It is located 7 miles (11.2 km) southwest of Maui and southeast of Lānaʻi and is 11 miles (18 km) long by 6 miles (9.7 km) across. Total area is 44.6 square miles (115.5 km²). The highest point is the crater of Lua Makika at the summit of Puʻu Moaulanui, which is 1,477 feet (450 m) above sea level. The island is relatively dry because the low elevation fails to generate much orographic precipitation from the northeastern trade winds and it is located in the rain shadow of Maui's 10,023 feet (3,055 m) high East Maui Volcano (Haleakalā). More than one quarter of the island has been eroded down to saprolitic hardpan.