We are visiting the Big Island over Christmas for 10 days. We are spending 3 days in Hilo, the balance in Kona. We have one day planned for the Volcano and are wondering: Should we try to do the volcano by ourselves or take a tour? There are so many tours - from the water, helicopter, driving, etc - we aren't sure which are the best. A couple of notes - One of the travelers is severly asthmatic - so I know we have to watch wind patterns, etc. She'll have her inhalers with her... Also, some walking (1-2 miles) is fine - but much more than that will be pushing it. With those issues, which route should we take - tour or do it yourselves? If tour - which way is the best to see it? We'd love to see flowing lava (if it is still flowing...)

Thanks so much for your help. This is the last thing we need to iron out!

It appears the lava flow into the ocean has stopped recently--of course it could resume at any time. Here is a helpful website
http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lavaflows2.htm

We have always driven when we've gone to Kilauea. Stop at the visitors center. They have videos of lava flow and lots of other information. The drive around Kilauea Crater is interesting and a stop at the Jagger Museum is a must. Jagger Museum is as far as you can go now--but it provides a great view of Halemaumau steaming away down in the Kilauea crater.

A couple of other interesting things do to: walk through the Thurston Lava Tube and hike across Kilauea Iki--the hike takes about an hour. When you are at the Kilauea Iki overlook facing the crater--go to your right--it makes the hike a lot easier.

I've never found the need for a tour. There are lots of great hikes, and as stated above the Jagger Museum and definitely talk to the rangers at the visitor center.

We usually do the rim trial from Volcano House to Kilauea Ike and back or from VH into the caldera and then up to Kiluaea Ike. Great hikes. Again always check with the rangers about conditions.

You will have to check on the flowing lava. It's a day-to-day thing. I don't think I would allow anyone with severe asthma to do the walk. The fumes can be very intense.

Under no circumstances should you take one of the lava boat trip. No regulations, no insurance. There is very little real regard for safety of passengers. A severe asthma attack on a boat could end up being fatal.

The driving tour is fascinating enough.

Don't bother with a tour; and I would be very cautious about hiking Kilauea Iki, only because the wind can carry the noxious gases right in that direction (just check first). However, Thurston lava tub is fun (bring a couple of very good flashlights and be sure to go into the section without lights, then turn them off!)and the path down through the greenery is amazing. (Note that the way out is very gentle, so don't be intimidated by the stairs.)
BTW, Volcano HOuse is currently closed for renovation.

We were on Pride of America 2 weeks ago and we did the volcanos by helicopter with the doors off. It was awesome, absolutely awesome. The views we had of the volcano and the big island were crazy! Our pilot Paul was super friendly and full of so much information. I can't imagine a better way to see the volancos on the Big Island. The tour we took was http://www.hawaiicruiseexcursions.co...opterTours.htm and go for the doors off, it's a total thrill!