kcapuani

My family and I are visiting the Big Island in two weeks and are ecstatic to hear that lava is once again flowing into the ocean. Can anyone tell me exactly where you would park and hike to see the entry? I've read that it is upwards of an 8 mile round-trip hike but can't seem to find where the starting point is.

Also, has anyone had any experience with viewing the lava from a boat? I've been looking into boat tours but they are very pricey and I wasn't sure if the lava was obscured by smoke.

sylvia3

You can park in the public parking area at Kalapana and walk to it.
Hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity.kilaueastatus.php
There are more links, warnings, suggestions, etc there.

Inakauaidavidababy

We arrive next week. I'm not sure if one is better then the other but you can hike from Chain of Craters or from Kalapana. We may do a last minute double book to either VV or lower Puna, and that will lead us to which entry to consider, although we are not up for the full hike out.

Use caution, bring flashlights and lots of water and avoid boat tours as when lava hits the salt water it creates minuscule glass flakes/shards that can cause respiratory damage, not to mention if the shelf collapses.

I enjoy monitoring this site. Lots of great updates and lava footage. It also taught me to wash my farmers market produce really really well and carefully due to Rat lungworm disease.

http://www.bigislandvideonews.com

Safe journeys!

Inakauaidavidababy

This is another article that will keep you off a boat tour no matter how exciting it sounds and looks.

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news...entering-ocean

BarbAnn

I took a tour with the following company and had a great time. And yes, we did poke a stick in the lava!

http://www.pokeastick.com/

Have fun!

Inakauaidavidababy

It is considered disrespectful to Pele to poke a stick in her earth creating gift of lava and aina. Although I am glad you had a good experience, in hindsight. . .

kcapuani

Ugh, now I don't know what we should do! My 8 year old will never been able to do the hike... And if boat tours are dangerous, I don't want to take a chance. Finally, I looked into helicopter tours and the cost is too exorbitant for the four of us.

We will just have to re-evaluate whether it is worth it for us to try to see it entering the ocean, or if seeing it from the Jagger Museum overlook is sufficient.

sylvia3

You can see the glow from Kalapana in the late afternoon and evening, it's really beautiful. Or from the crater, if you are up there in the park in the p.m. (worth staying at the Nāmakanipaio cabins in the park)

http://www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com/cabins-campsites/

Lately you can see spattering of the lava in the crater; not like watching it flow into the ocean, but pretty neat.
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php

I've seen the "pokeastick" ads forever; in my (not so humble) opinion as a geologist, anywhere you can stand close enough to flowing lava to do that is probably dangerously thin crust.

Inakauaidavidababy

If we can, we will likely, weather permitting book a last minute place in Volcano Village, head down to Kalapana to see old grounds we've travelled, make it back to VV for a trip down to the arch and then get takeout Thai, have dinner and return for the glow at Jaggar.

It seems like yesterday that I would be able to do that hike without question… Those days have passed. That's why I was always an advocate of do it while you young and don't make bucket lists for when you are older and retired. Older and retired may not come. And although I always hoped to hike to the lava, those days are behind us

FaceInTheCrowd

I read somewhere recently that you can rent bikes and ride from Kalapana, though that may also be a bit much for your 8 year old.

edjim

When we were in the area some years back, we saw the lava flow from a small airplane out of Hilo airport. It was good, the plane ride was very quiet, and it was less expensive than the helicopter. We also tried to hike out on the lava at night, which was interesting but difficult over the boulders and rocks.

kcapuani

I keep reading about viewing the lava from Chain of Craters Road. Is that a valid option?

kcapuani

Oops, I see that Inakauaidavidababy commented that CoC might be a possibility. Anyone know how long the hike is from there?

Inakauaidavidababy

Hey kcapuani

I don't recall a url I can share but it think the hike is shorter from Kalapaha and maybe a mile???? longer from Chain of Craters. But you should add in the travel time as each requires a drive depending where you are staying.

Getting excited although a tropical depression could turn into a hurricane for our wheels on the ground.