Hawaiʻi Island is the youngest and largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, rightly earning its nickname, the Big Island. I’m always impressed not only by the sheer size of the island, but also its unique terrain, from lush tropical forests in Hilo to otherworldly lava fields in Kona and the snow-capped summit of Mauna Kea […]
The Hawaiʻi National Park Service announced this week that the Uēkahuna observation deck in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park reopened to the public. Located at the summit of Kīlauea, park visitors can look across the caldera to see Halemaʻumaʻu crater and also gaze up at Mauna Loa. For generations, Uēkahuna has been revered by Native Hawaiians
At least we weren’t the only ones. Like many of you, we had been captivated by the fountains of lava from Kīlauea, shooting up over 1,000 feet above Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The recent eruption—now exiting its Episode 16—has lured volcano enthusiasts from around the world to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to witness this extraordinary sight. It
From witnessing the fiery eruption at Kīlauea to hiking through tropical forests, nature lovers have plenty to do on the east side of Hawaiʻi Island. And the charming town of Hilo is the perfect home base for them and other adventurous travelers. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is just a 45-minute drive south of Hilo International
Kīlauea’s recent eruption, which began on Dec. 23, 2024, has been sporadic to say the least. This morning—nine days after the eruption paused on Jan. 6—lava starting flowing again in the summit caldera at Kīlauea, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey said this is the fourth eruptive episode of
It’s no surprise: Kīlauea’s latest eruption is drawing crowds to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. In the early hours of Dec. 23, Kīlauea—one of the world’s most active volcanoes—started erupting in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater with spectacular lava fountains. Since then, though, the eruption has fluctuated in its intensity and can stop at anytime. Though Kīlauea has erupted
If you’re heading to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park anytime soon—and you really should!—you should know the national park is undergoing a massive, two-year construction project to repair, improve and remove damaged buildings and infrastructure at the summit of Kīlauea. That means you can expect—and should prepare for—delays at the entrance station, temporary area closures and
Updated 7:03 p.m., Sept. 18 Chain of Craters Road is now open as eruption hazards ease in Kīlauea volcano’s middle East Rift Zone, according to the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground are now open to traffic. With the exception of Nāpau, backcountry sites have reopened as well. Maunaulu Trail and
Kīlauea may not be erupting, but increased earthquake activity over the weekend has promoted Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to increase alert levels and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park closing certain areas in the park. HVO raised the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from an “advisory” to a “watch.” The aviation color code was also raised from
Updated 1 p.m. June 4, 2024 The eruption of Kīlauea on Hawaiʻi Island that begin just after midnight on June 3 has paused after 12 hours. In an update, the U.S. Geological Survey said lava flows were sluggish and then ceased moving around 12:30 p.m. HST Monday. However, you could still detect a lava glow
If I’m not working or chasing south-shore waves on Oʻahu, I’m somewhere in the mountains. And usually with a dog. I’ve been hiking in Hawaiʻi since I was a kid, trekking the 4.8-mile ʻAiea Loop Trail on Oʻahu with my family or wandering along the ridges of the Koʻolau Mountains with friends. Hiking is one
Hikers agree: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has some of the most unique trails anywhere in Hawaiʻi. You can walk across a hardened lava lake from a 1959 eruption or venture through a 500-year old lava tube. The 333,308-acre national park on Hawaiʻi Island has dozens of trails for every level, from the well-paved Devastation Trail
