Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is
located on the Island of Hawai’i, 96 miles from Kailua-Kona and 30 miles from
Hilo. It has active volcanic area along the southeastern shore of the island of
Hawaii, Hawaii state, U.S., located southwest of Hilo. Established in 1961 and
formerly a part of Hawaii National Park (established 1916), it occupies an area
of 505 square miles (1,308 square km) and includes two active volcanoes - Mauna
Loa and Kilauea - 25 miles (40 km) apart. The park was designated a UNESCO
World Heritage site in 1987.
Five volcanoes make up the Big
Island of Hawaii, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park protects two of them -
Mauna Loa and Kilauea. These volcanoes are among the world’s most active, and
have occupied a special place in Hawaiian culture since the first Polynesians
migrated to the islands, hundreds of years ago.
Even among Hawaii's many wonders,
this national park stands out: its two active volcanoes testify to the ongoing
birth of the islands. Majestic Mauna Loa (13,677ft) looms like a sleeping
giant, while young Kilauea - the world's most active volcano - has been
erupting almost continually since 1983. With luck, you'll witness the primal
event of molten lava tumbling into the sea. But the park contains much more -
overwhelming lava deserts, steaming craters, lava tubes and ancient
rainforests. For hikers, it's heaven.
Founded in 1916, the Park
encompasses 333,000 acres from the summit of Maunaloa to the sea. Here you'll
find 150 miles of hiking trails through volcanic craters, scalded deserts and
rainforests as well as a museum, petroglyphs, a walk-in lava tube and two
active volcanoes: Maunaloa, which last erupted in 1984 and Kilauea which has
been erupting since January 3rd, 1983. The extraordinary natural diversity of
the park was recognized in 1980 when it was named a World Biosphere site by
UNESCO and in 1987 when the park was again honored as a World Heritage site.
Kilauea is sometimes called
"the world's only drive-in volcano." This prolific volcano currently
produces 250,000-650,000 cubic yards of lava per day, enough to resurface a
20-mile-long, two-lane road daily. As of January 1994, 491 acres of new land
have been created on Hawaii Island. The current eruption may last another 100
years or stop tomorrow. Pele, the volcano goddess who lives here, is very
unpredictable. But the chance to watch Kilauea's blistering lava flows meet the
sea (click here for Kalapana viewing update) is just one of the reasons to
visit.
Main Attractions
Kilauea
Visitor Center
Begin your visit at the Kilauea
Visitor Center where you can watch an hourly film from 9 am to 4 pm to
introduce you to the park. Ranger talks are offered and ranger-guided
activities can be scheduled. Pick up maps, learn about the park's hikes and get
the latest eruption updates here.
Crater
Rim Drive
Crater Rim Drive is the 10.6-mile
drive that circles Kilauea Caldera. Driving around this loop will take you to
the park's main attractions: the Kilauea overlook, Jaggar Museum, Halemaumau
Crater, Devastation Trail, Kilauea Iki Crater Overlook and the Thurston Lava
Tube.
Thurston
Lava Tube (Nahuku)
Walk through a 500-year old lava
cave formed when an underground channel of molten lava drained from its cooled
walls forming a massive, hollow chamber. A tropical rainforest awaits you at
the end of the tube.
Thomas
A. Jaggar Museum
Thomas A. Jaggar pioneered the study
of volcanology here at Kilauea. Here you can find geologic displays, maps and
videos about the study of volcanoes.
Crater
Steam vents plume from this massive
crater, known as the home of Pele, the volcano goddess. In 1967, this crater
was filled with a lake of lava that eventually drained away. Great respect
should be paid at this sacred site.
Thurston
Lava Tube (Nahuku)
Walk through a 500-year old lava
cave formed when an underground channel of molten lava drained from its cooled
walls forming a massive, hollow chamber. A tropical rainforest awaits you at
the end of the tube.
Puu
Oo Vent
Currently Kilauea's lava activity
isn't centered in its caldera (the large depression at the top of the volcano)
but at the Puu Oo vent in the East Rift Zone. Puu Oo's lava flood underground
tubes that empty dramatically into the sea. You can watch this spectacle at the
end of Chain of Craters Road or get a closer look from the new Kalapana viewing
site outside the park.
Chain
of Craters Road
Veering south of Crater Rim Drive is
Chain of Craters Road. This 3,700-foot drive eventually ends where a lava flow
has literally overtaken the road.
Volcano
House
The Volcano House hotel overlooking
Halemaumau Crater has been operating since it was a grass shack in 1846. Even
Mark Twain once stayed here on his visit to Hawaii. The hotel has recently
undergone renovations and is open under new management.
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