Hawaii (Big Island) Travel Forum

Hello! I am Victoria from Manila Philipines and travelling to Hawaii this June. I would like to see Kelauea Volcano. Is there anyone who went there and can I ask how to get there from downtown Honolulu? I am travelling alone and really want to go there. I want to see the actual eruption if possible. Thank you.

Well first of all you will have to fly to Hawaii Big island as Honolulu is on Oahu.

Fly to Kona or Hilo

The Kilauea volcano is actualy erupting into the sea so you will have to take a trip along the coast road.
you could then get a tour. Check out:
http://www.hawaiiactive.com/activities/bigisland-volcano-adventure.html

The Kona newspaper is http://www.westhawaiitoday.com
At the top of the homepage click on the volcano news. It's best to go from Hilo by rental car or tour group such as Roberts of Hawaii. It's not usually an eruption high into the air as it is a continous venting from a big hole in the ground. There is an observation deck nearby. There is also lava flowing into the ocean. A helicopter ride is the best way to get an overall view. There are many Filipino people living on the Big Island incase you want to chat.
Hawaiian Airlines now has a direct flight between Manila and Hawaii.

After getting to Hilo, the park entrance is approximately 35 miles and then another 15 miles to the end of Chain of Craters Road to where the lava is flowing into the ocean. Crater Rim drive near the park entrance takes you around the perimeter of the Kileuea crater.

From Kona it's a much longer drive...about 95 miles to the park entrance. And keep in mind that the speed limits are not high so that drive from Kona can take 2.5-3 hours.

As for the way to go, Mad4travel is right about hawaiiactive.com ,but If you want to go from Oahu then before inputting the "bigisland" portion of the website, add, "oahu-" to get facts for Oahu to Big Island Volcano tour.

Sorry, just use the following website: http://www.hawaiiactive.com/activities/oahu-bigisland-tour.html

I am on the Big Island as I write this. Just arrived this PM and have settled into the rental house just outside of the town of Pahoa.

Victoria, to see the active volcano, you need to fly from O'ahu (where Honolulu is located) to the Big Island. If you do a day-tour, fly into Hilo (ITO), as it is closer to where you need to be.

The surface flows of lava are NOT viewable from within the HVNP boundaries. Do Not waste your time. From within the park, you will get to see Halema'uma'u spewing gas into the air, but that's about it.

For lava flow action, drive in from the east side of island along highway 130 to Kalapana. You will park your car and have about a 15 minute hike to a designated viewing area, which is about 300-400 yards from the actual sea entry. As Konamax said, helicopter would be good. There are currently four separate points where lava is entering the sea - none of which are within easy hiking from within HVNP.

For closer action, use a boat tour. I am going out at 5:00AM tomorrow to see the sea entry from boat. I'll post links to service providers and a link to my photos tomorrow evening.

A hui hou aku

Lava update:

We went out to see the lava enter the ocean from a small boat (24') yesterday. I was a little disappointed. My camera got swamped by a wave crashing over side, but it kept working. However, I was unable to clean the lens filter good enough other than a wipe with my shirt. We also had rain to deal with. So, very rough seas, salt water on my lens, rain, and steam fogging the lens made for a tough time for photos. But if you want to see them, I have them here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/17144603@N02/sets/72157604650906020/

I also have some video clips to upload once VT gets it online.

The designated viewing area is about 1/3 to 1/2 mile from the sea entry now. You access it via Highway 130, driving in from Hilo-side going towards Kalapana.

The boat got us within a 100 feet or so. It is dangerous being that close, so you need to judge for yourself based on your balance of adventure and danger.

We will be hiking out there tonight to see it after dark. I'll post another link when pictures are uploaded.

Thank you for the reply. Nice pictures by the way!