mainegod

So after doing some research here and reading the various guide books, my wife and I are planning to take a quick 1 night/1.5 day trip from our vacation in Waikiki to the Big Island - specifically to stay in Volcano and visit VNP.

I know more time would be ideal, but I'd appreciate a sanity check since our flight from Oahu would get into Hilo around 9AM on a Saturday, and then depart the next day at 2:30PM. Later flights are available, but they're significantly more expensive. I figure this will give us a good 8 hours or so in VNP.

Appreciate your thoughts.

martym

It should work--you will have all Saturday afternoon and evening (if you want to walk out to the lava flow--if it is flowing when you're there) to 'do' the volcano--and some time on Sunday morning also. The Hilo airport is only about one hour from Volcano.

Some websites

http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/kilaueastatus.php
http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lavaflows.htm

Anonymous

Yes, we did a similar outing during our vacation on Oahu and were very glad we did so. I couldn't bear to be so close to a volcano without visiting it! We got a package deal that included car rental.

mainegod

thans for your responses. I was just planning on doing this piecemeal - one way flights from Go and Hawaiian air, one night accomodation at the Volcano Inn or Kailauea Lodge, and then the rental car. Crazy what they charge for the cars. Any thoughts on packages that may cut down on costs are welcome.

starrs

Join the frequent renter program of whatever car rental agency you choose.

We did a "quick jaunt" to another island and spent forever in the car rental line.