No trip to Hawaii is complete without seeing Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on The Big Island. Here are some good things to know before your trip:
National Park Service: Park Conditions
Visitors to Volcanoes National Park have the opportunity to feel older than dirt...because in parts of the park they may ACTUALLY be older than the dirt below their feet. Lava rolls down hill into the ocean, taking roads and trees with it. Because of this, VNP is one of the most dangerous National Parks in the United States. Rarely do visitor actually see lava, but the former lava rivers are everywhere you turn. Before you leave your hotel in Hilo (east side of the island) or Kona (west side of the island) consider checking the park conditions on the NPS.gov site. Park and road closures will be noted.
The best way to see the lava is by helicopter ($$$), or after dark when the pluming sulphur dioxide from the Caldera is lit bright orange from the lava pool within.
Folklore and Legend: Pele, The Ohia Tree and the Lehua Blossom
If you're coming from Kona, you'll know when you're getting closer to the park when the road is lined with beautiful hot pink blossomed trees. These Ohia trees are sacred to the local Hawaiians. In fact, there are signs up in the airports signifying the importance of the Ohia trees and the Lehua blossoms (pictured adjacent), as many tourist pick the flowers or infect the trees with foreign bacteria.
Legend has it that Pele, the volcano goddess (amongst other things, like fire, lightning, wind, etc.), is believed to reside in "...the Halemaumau crater at the summit of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. However, all of Hawaii lays the setting for her stories, so that to this day, any volcanic eruption in Hawaii is attributed to Pele’s longing to be with her true love" (RobertsHawaii).
"The legend says that one day Pele met a handsome warrior named Ohia and she asked him to marry her. Ohia, however, had already pledged his love to Lehua. Pele was furious when Ohia turned down her marriage proposal, so she turned Ohia into a twisted tree. Lehua was heartbroken, of course. The gods took pity on Lehua and decided it was an injustice to have Ohia and Lehua separated. They thus turned Lehua into a flower on the Ohia tree so that the two lovers would be forever joined together. So remember, Hawaiian folklore says that if you pluck this flower you are separating the lovers, and that day it will rain" (LoveBigIsland).
Crater Rim Road: Drive Tour
The nice thing about VNP is you can see/do the highlights in an afternoon by car. Hiking and camping are available for those wanting to spend more time there.
Start your trip at the Kīlauea Visitor Center located just beyond the park's entrance station. Here you can watch a short film, use the restroom, and discuss routes with the Park Service Rangers on site. Don't forget to pick up a map if you didn't get one at the main gate!
Next stop - the Jaggar Museum. Here is the Kīlauea overlook, where you can witness the large (and constant) plumes of sulphur dioxide puffing from the lava pit below. The museum is a quick walk-through and gives you an idea of the history and science of the volcano.
On your way to the Thurston Lava Tube (a must see), pull over to experience the steam vents. As rain water drips into the cracks in the earth, steam rises in thick clouds. Visitors can safely experience the steam in the marked areas. On a rainy day, expect photos like these!
When you feel thoroughly steamed out, hop back in the car to make the short drive to the Thurston Lava Tube. Soon the foliage changes quite dramatically from grassy hills to lush rainforests.
"A 20 minute 1/3 mile walk through a tree fern forest and lighted prehistoric cavelike lava tube awaits you. This is an excellent place to stop and listen to the birds. Watch carefully and you may see the red apapane feeding among the equally red ohi'a blossoms.
This lava tube was discovered in 1913 by Lorrin Thurston, a local newspaper publisher. At that time the roof of the tube was covered with lava stalactites, but those soon disappeared to souvenir collectors. As you walk through the tube consider that several hundred years ago a river of red lava rushed through" (nps.gov).
Weather and time permitting you can drive all the way down to the coast before the road ends. We opted to end our trip after the lava tube (3-5 hour in the park).
Planning your trip to The Big Island? Visit the Hawaii page on my blog for tips, videos and recommendations.
AB
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