Kona - to the volcano, touring tips needed
May 31st, 2008 | 08:39 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4
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Kona - to the volcano, touring tips needed
let me start by saying I live on Maui.... but have not been to the Big Island in 4 yrs, and that was on a 1 day tour!
my Mom and her husband are visiting us in Sept, and want to go see the volcano, we will stay at the Four Seasons in Kona, b/c we all really want to stay there and I can get a family/friends rate of $99...can't beat that!
so...here are my questions:
What is the best way to go about getting to/touring the volcano, in hopes of seeing lava flow?
from Kona to the volcano national park is the better way to drive around (north or south route)?
then what time of day to see the splendor of the volcano and then possibly lava?
and...
do we walk on the volcano - on the jagged lava to the viewing area? not quite sure what to do without a tour guide? how do you figure out where to go and what to do once you enter the Park??
sorry, I know for someone who has lived on Maui for over 3 yrs, I should know more about this!!!!
thank you!
my Mom and her husband are visiting us in Sept, and want to go see the volcano, we will stay at the Four Seasons in Kona, b/c we all really want to stay there and I can get a family/friends rate of $99...can't beat that!
so...here are my questions:
What is the best way to go about getting to/touring the volcano, in hopes of seeing lava flow?
from Kona to the volcano national park is the better way to drive around (north or south route)?
then what time of day to see the splendor of the volcano and then possibly lava?
and...
do we walk on the volcano - on the jagged lava to the viewing area? not quite sure what to do without a tour guide? how do you figure out where to go and what to do once you enter the Park??
sorry, I know for someone who has lived on Maui for over 3 yrs, I should know more about this!!!!
thank you!
Jun 1st, 2008 | 08:56 AM
#2
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,395
Likes: 0
Jlsanta~ as of now the lava is not flowing in the park, it's flowing outside Kalapana on the east side of the island. No lava is visible in the park.
You could drive the southern route to Volcano and spend some time in the park seeing Thurston Lava Tube and the huge cloud of sulfur dioxide spewing from the crater. A lot of the park is closed due to the SO2 so you won't be able to travel far in the park. Then drive down to Kalapana and walk out to the lava viewing area. It's an easy walk on a gravel/tar road and 10 minutes on uneven lava to the viewing. The viewing area opens at 2:00 p.m. and last car in is at 8. Best time to see is just before and just after sunset. Then drive the northern route back to the 4S, it's about 2.5-3 hours from Kalapana.
Of course this could change by September so keep checking on what is happening.
Aren't kama'aina rates great?!
You could drive the southern route to Volcano and spend some time in the park seeing Thurston Lava Tube and the huge cloud of sulfur dioxide spewing from the crater. A lot of the park is closed due to the SO2 so you won't be able to travel far in the park. Then drive down to Kalapana and walk out to the lava viewing area. It's an easy walk on a gravel/tar road and 10 minutes on uneven lava to the viewing. The viewing area opens at 2:00 p.m. and last car in is at 8. Best time to see is just before and just after sunset. Then drive the northern route back to the 4S, it's about 2.5-3 hours from Kalapana.
Of course this could change by September so keep checking on what is happening.
Aren't kama'aina rates great?!
Jun 5th, 2008 | 12:57 PM
#6
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
These links have some information that should prove helpful....
http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/index.htm
http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/kilaueastatus.php
http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/index.htm
http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/kilaueastatus.php
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