Three historic eruptions have occurred at or near Pauahi Crater. The first was in May 1973 when a fissure opened and erupted briefly on its floor.
The second took place in November 1973 and lasted 31 days (November 10 — December 9), but most activity was concentrated during the event's initial 10 hours. The eruption created a set of echelon fissures extending over some 2 mi (3.2 km) from a point just west of the crater, across the crater floor, and on eastward almost to Puu Huluhulu. The third eruption occurred on November 16, 1979, and lasted only one day.