Volcanoes are one of the most iconic elements of Hawaii and they are most prominent on the big island. Located on the Hilo side of the island, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is massive and contains two of the most active volcanoes in the world: Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
The entrance fee was a reasonable 25.00. We spent about four hours exploring the park, but we could have easily spent an entire day ( more than a day) if we had intended to hike. We mostly drove and hopped out of our car at the various points of interest.
Our first stop was the Kilauea Visitors Center. I’m ashamed to admit that the primary purpose of our stop was for a toilet break, however for most people, the visitors center is a place to learn about volcanoes and Hawaiian culture. It is filled with educational exhibits and knowledgable park rangers.
We had a disappointing reality check when we learned that there was no current molten lava activity. When planning our vacation, we looked into tours to view lava activity, all of which were dying down from a previous eruption in 2018. We missed experiencing molten lava by just a few months.
Although it was certainly something we wanted to see, we also had to think about the destruction that it caused. We saw that until shortly before our trip, private tours were being conducted of a local housing estate that had been destroyed by the previous eruption. It was a form of disaster tourism, akin to people visiting Katrina sites after the flood. Many people are interested in witnessing the wrath of nature, but there also has to be a sensitivity and compassion towards those who have suffered, whether it be property loss or worse, the loss of a loved one.
No lava, but we did have steam coming from steam vents. This was as “active” as it got, but still neat to experience. It’s sad to see signs to remind people not to throw things into the vents. The way some people treat nature is appalling.
Speaking of nature…
I visited Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park when I was about ten years old (didn’t see active lava then either) and one of the parts that I remember the most is The Devastation Trail. This short hike shows the destruction from volcanic activity. It is just as barren and desolate now, as it was in the late 80’s.
The coolest thing we did was just to pull off and walk amongst the lava rocks. It seems strange, but it is allowed, although good shoes are recommended. We picked up a few lava rocks to admire, but we certainly did not remove them from the park. That is not only illegal, but according to Hawaiian superstition, very, very, very bad luck! You know the episode of The Brady Bunch with the tiki idol? Kind of like that, but worse.
We discovered a Nene Goose that was actually crossing!
Our final stop was a scenic overlook with breathtaking views of the ocean.
No trip to the big island would be complete without a stop at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Since it was on the other side of the island, it was a very long day for us. I wish we had thought to pack a lunch and maybe dressed more appropriately so that Waikoloa Village to Vwe could have gone on a hike. We enjoyed it, but only in a superficial way. If we do it again, I’d plan the day better and maybe even consider a tour to gain a deeper perspective on the experience. That said, although we were exhausted, it was a successful family outing. My step kids (9 and 12 at the time of the trip) were able to enjoy this new and very different experience. The landscape is like something from another planet!
On my next trip report, I will detail our unexpected adventure that we had in our evening after our day at the volcanoes..