National Park

One of the most visited attractions in Hawaii is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. Over 1,200,000 people visit the park annually according to park records. Located less than 30 miles from the town of Hilo and about 100 miles from Kailua-Kona, many visitors make a stop at the park, stretch their legs, and continue on their way as they drive around-the-island without ever fully appreciating all that it offers.

The main attraction of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is obviously the volcanic activity that has been continuous since 1983. The main activity has been centered around the Pu’u ‘O’o vent near the eastern edge of the park. Over the years, the lava flows from this area have buried much of the town of Kalapana.

Recent activity from Halemaumau Crater which has not erupted since 1982, has caused a pool of lava to rise within 260′ of the top (compared to its normal depth of over 500′) and large sections of the surrounding sides to fall in. For the last few years, Kilauea has spewed steam and toxic gases, which caused Park officials to close a portion of Crater Rim Drive.

On March 6, 2011, volcanic activity in Halemaumau Crater, Pu’u ‘O’o Crater and the eastern rift (about 1-2 miles west of Pu’u ‘O’o Crater) caused the Park Service to close off parts of the park surrounding these areas. Lava fountains peaked near 100′ high before settling back to a sustained height near 50-65′ for several days. Coincidentally, its activity ceased the day of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Will you get to see lava flow during a visit to the park? Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of the Volcano, is very fickle and there is no guarantee that activity will be visible on any given day, however, the Park Service does an excellent job of letting you know what is happening and where.

The Park’s visitor center is an excellent source of up to date information, as well as a great source of historical information. They have displays of the native plants and animals that inhabit the park area. There is a film that is shown throughout the day that captures the awesome display of Madam Pele and the magnificent lava fountains that sometimes reach the height of 800-1000′.

In addition, the Volcanoes National Park also offers visitors the opportunity to walk in a rain forest, hike across lava fields, see excellent examples of Hawaiian petroglyphs, and walk through an actual lava tube. Lava tubes are the primary means of lava traveling large distances without solidifying.

One great walk to take is the trail that leads from the visitor’s center, across the street, along the edge of the Kilauea Cauldera, and to the Thurston Lava Tube. From the moment you leave the paved path next to the famous Volcano House Hotel, currently under extensive renovation, you are likely to catch sight of some of the indigenous birds that can not be found anywhere outside of the park’s boundaries. Giant ferns line the path that leads you to the lava tube, which has been paved and lighted for safety’s sake.

You can also hike down into the Cauldera and across the lava floor, which does not look very deep…until you happen to catch a glimpse of people who may be hiking across and see just how far away they actually are. There are several trails that cover much of the park and you could spend a week and not cover them all. From the rainforests near the entrance, to the desert like terrain to the west and south, or down to the sea cliffs several miles away, its quite a varied terrain.

If you’re thinking of doing any hiking, be sure to wear sturdy footwear as the rough lava can be very hard on your shoes. There are two primary forms of lava. There is a smooth-surfaced variety, called “pahoehoe” in Hawaiian and then there’s the jagged-edged lava, appropriately enough called “a’a”. Its fairly easy to remember which is which since you will be pronouncing the latter should your bare skin come into contact with it.

For those interested in a truly outdoor experience, there are two camp sites available for public use for free, however, they are on a first-come, first served basis, and you are limited to seven consecutive days. Anyone planning on camping out should make sure that they have a water-tight tent and are prepared for the cold, damp conditions that prevail at night.

While many people anticipate hot, dry surroundings when thinking of a volcano, the Park entrance and Visitor Center are in a rain-forest and close to 4,000′ above sea level. It is often cool and damp, and fog in the evenings is not uncommon, so visitors should bring a wind-breaker or light jacket, as the winds can make you uncomfortably cool, especially in the early mornings and evening hours.

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to many endangered, native species of plant and wildlife, such as the Nene goose. The fragile eco-system has also been threatened by non-native species such as rats, mongoose and especially wild pigs. The feral hogs are notorious for uprooting plants and trees in their constant quest for food.

There is a $10/car entry fee (good for 3-days) or you can purchase a tri-park annual pass for $25, which is good at the Pu’uhonua o’Honaunau (Place of Refuge) National Historic Park in Kona and the Haleakala National Park on Maui, as well as the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Whichever you decide to buy, do yourself a favor and plan on spending a minimum of 3-4 hours and preferably a full day to get the most out of your visit. You can easily spend an hour or two just at the Visitor Center. Due to its close proximity, Hilo is a great place to base your stay out of while visiting the park. Nature-lovers and shutter-bugs in particular should give themselves ample time to fully enjoy all that the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has to offer.