Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

January 19, 2010, 11:29 am

January is Volcano awareness month in Hawai’i. This month, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai'i County Civil Defense and the University of Hawai'i at Hilo are hosting a number of events and activities designed to increase awareness of the volcanoes so many call home. During the ...

Things are heating up at Kilauea

January 18, 2010, 7:54 am

Lava is lighting up the night sky at Halema'uma'u crater. Since Thursday, a sloshing, surging pond of molten rock has illuminated the vent deep within Kilauea's summit. "It's beautiful. The glow is bright from Halema'uma'u," said Jim Gale, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's chief of interpretation. Lava deep within the pit has been ...

January 2010 Proclaimed Volcano Awareness Month

January 6, 2010, 9:27 am

In a Proclamation from the County of Hawai'i, January 2010 has been designated "Volcano Awareness Month." Throughout the month, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), in cooperation with Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai'i County Civil Defense, and the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, will sponsor various events to promote the importance ...

Top Ten Warm Winter Getaways

December 17, 2009, 10:38 am

Our national parks are home to beaches, deserts and subtropical wildernesses—all of which make great vacation destinations during the cold winter months. If you’re tired of all the snow and in search for an escape from your cold weather blues, check these Top 10 Warm Winter Getaways. 1. Death Valley ...

Land, sea and sky adventures await Big Island explorers

December 1, 2009, 10:22 am

Outdoor adventure is practically everywhere you look on Hawai‘i Island. Hikers can walk in sand and snow and across a steaming volcanic crater—all in one day. Campers can pitch their tent on a beach, in a lush rainforest or on a high-desert lava plain where the rocks are actually purple. Snorkelers can float ...

Volcano Art Center

Volcano Art Center lies next to the Kilauea visitor center. It is housed in the historic original Volcano House built in 1877. During the nineteenth century, many visitors to Kilauea stayed at Volcano House. Today it is a gallery for local artists and craftsmen. This is a good place to ...

Puu Huluhulu Trail

The Pu'u Huluhulu trail crosses 1973 and 1974 lava flows, through kipuka and passes lava trees. It climbs 150 feet to the summit of Pu'u Huluhulu Cinder Cone. On a clear day, you can see Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Pu'u 'O'o and the Pacific Ocean from the trail. Visitors ...

Puu Loa Petroglyphs Trail

The trail to Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs leads two miles eastward from Chain of Craters Road. This trail traverses older lava flows to one of Hawai'i's most extensive petroglyph fields. It is considered an easy to moderate hike by the Park Service and should take one and a half hours. ...

Kipuka Puaulu Trail

Kipuka Puaulu Trail is a short loop through an upland forest oasis surrounded by lava flows from Mauna Loa. This forest is an old-growth forest of koa and ohia trees. The trail is rated as easy by the Park Service, but the surface of the trail is dirt, so ...

Napau Trail

Napau Trail begins on Chain of Craters Road at Mauna Ulu parking lot. It leads into the park backcountry and eastward to the East Rift Zone. Along the seven miles to the trail end visitors will pass a multitude of formations including: pahoehoe lava flows, rain forest, Pu'u Huluhulu ...