You are correct. The volcanoes in the Hawaiian chain are so-called mafic volcanoes.
In general, volcanoes are classified as silicic or mafic. The silicic ones contain more gas and tend to erupt explosively; the mafic ones, more lava floes.
Compare Mauna Loa (mafic) to Mount St. Helens (silicic), the latter of which was far more explosive due to high silica content, which increases magma viscosity and acts as a trap for (superheated) water and other substances.
I encourage you and others to use the excellent USGS resources, such as:
In general, volcanoes are classified as silicic or mafic. The silicic ones contain more gas and tend to erupt explosively; the mafic ones, more lava floes.
Compare Mauna Loa (mafic) to Mount St. Helens (silicic), the latter of which was far more explosive due to high silica content, which increases magma viscosity and acts as a trap for (superheated) water and other substances.
I encourage you and others to use the excellent USGS resources, such as:
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/
https://www.usgs.gov/news/volcano-watch-why-are-mount-st-hel...
I hold a M.A. in geology and am a licensed geoscientist-in-training in Texas.