We will be visiting Oahu for a week in September. Wondering if we fly over to the big island one morning if we can see Volcanoes National Park in one day?

If you fly into Hilo, it can be done. But it will be a LONG day! You might consider doing an organized tour with a tour company.

Great suggestion, ChristieP!

The expense and time required to get from O`ahu lodging to HNL airport to Hilo to car rental and then driving...with guide book in hand, hoping you don't miss anything important...arrggghhh!

There are companies which offer the whole inter-island package -- including pickup at your hotel. One of the largest (and oldest) is Roberts Hawai`i.

No problem at all doing it yourself.

Anything that Roberts or any other company has for a day trip to Big Island and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park you can do yourself.

I did a day trip from Oahu with another couple. Left on an early flight around 7am & got into Hilo around 8am. Left around 7:30pm, back to Honolulu around 8:30.

Had time for:

Hilo - Liliuokalani Gardens, Banyon Drive, Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots.

Akaka Falls State Park - Short loop trail that also includes Kahuna Falls

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - About 50 minute drive from Hilo. 4-5 hours in the park.
Visitors Center, Crater Rim Drive loop that includes several overlooks, short hikes, Jaggar Museum, steam & sulfer vents & Thurston Lava Tube.
Chain of Craters Road to the end where the lava closed the road.

You will not have time to hike to the live lava flow on a day trip regardless if you do it on your own or with a tour company.

The rental car agencies at Hilo are quick and only about 100 yards from the terminal. Easy check in and out.

You won't save any time with a tour company. Whatever time you lose getting a car in Hilo and checking it in again, they lose with all of the Waikiki stops picking up or dropping off people at the various hotels. They also lose a lot of time getting people on and off the tour bus at all of the stops they make on the Big Island.

Lots of info for Oahu:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34696831

www.driveguidemagazines.com Good maps including detailed Hilo map & HVNP map

Roberts Hawaii:

www.robertshawaii.com

A fairly easy day trip to/from Hilo. You probably won't get to stay to see the lava flows at night and get back f,or a night flight to HNL, I think the last Hilo flight is pretty early. Other than that if you take the first flight out and the last flight back you should be able to see a lot.

VNP is only about an hour & 1/2 from Hilo.

An alternative would be a Helicopter tour.

Thanks for all the great feedback. Would it be worth tacking on one night so we could see the lava flows after dark?

ABSOLUTELY!!! Even if the lava isn't flowing while you are there, adding a night will let you take things a little slower and ENJOY! The Big Island has lots of wonderful sights.