Advice for Viewing the Big Island Lava Flow
Posted on Sun, Mar 16, 2008 by Sheila
It was humbling and mesmerizing experience to watch lava flowing into the ocean. I struggle to find the adequate words to describe it. If you are able to get out to the Big Island to see if for yourself, then I strongly encourage you to do so.
I wanted to share some tips for viewing the lava so that you can make the most of your experience. Here are my suggestions.
When to Go
Try as best as you can to see the lava around sunset and just afterwards. We were able to see the lava during daylight hours and then at sunset and about an hour afterwards. The sun’s rays wash out the incandescence of the lava, so you can’t really see as much of it in the daytime. We were fortunate enough to see the contrast of daytime viewing and nighttime viewing. There really is a huge difference in what you can see. If you go to see the lava just before sunset, you’ll be able to walk to the lava viewing point more safely in the daylight hours. Note that the current viewing point does not open until 2pm and closes at 10pm. (Note: starting February 1, 2009, the viewing point will not open until 5pm.) Cars are not allowed to enter past 8pm.
Where to Find the Lava
At the present time, you’ll find the lava flowing Waikupanaha which is at the end of Highway 130 on the East side, not far from Kalapana. See this collection of useful links to help you find out what’s going on with the active lava flow. January/Feburary 2010 update: lava has stopped flowing into the ocean at the end of Hwy 130, however, some lava has been visible on the hill (pali) from the viewing point.
What to Wear
- One of the most important things to wear is shoes with a rugged sole and good gripping tread, such as hiking shoes. You’ll be trekking over very uneven surfaces (hardened lava) and a shoe with a firm or semi-firm sole will help you keep your balance. If you’ll be very close to the actual flow, a shoe with a good sole will protect your feet from the heat. I observed a few people wearing flip flops or fancy shoes and they had a very difficult time walking. I wore my hiking shoes and I was so glad I did.
- If you’ll be seeing the lava during day light hours then be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat or visor. Sunglasses are also helpful.
- You should try to wear long trousers to protect your legs if you fall. Hardened lava can be sharp as glass and quite dangerous if you fall. I wore a light weight hiking trousers.
- One reader, Ben, advises to wear gloves to protect your hands should you fall. Pick up a pair of work gloves from the dollar store.
What to Bring
- Water is a must, particularly if you’ll be going to see the lava in the daytime.
- Snacks or energy bars may come in handy. There are no restaurants in the area.
- Flashlight for finding your way in the dark. The county has installed some reflective poles and some yellow tape on the ground to help you navigate to and from the viewing point.
- Binoculars will help you get a closer view. You may be a couple of hundred yards or more from the lava.
- Cameras with well charged batteries and plenty of memory or film. Near the water, it’s quite windy, so if you have a tripod, do bring it
- A hiking stick or pole helps to keep you steady over uneven terrain.
- Sunscreen and lip balm with sun protection.
- Wet wipes. (There are port-a-johns, but no way to clean your hands.)
- If you have long hair, you may want to bring something to tie it back because it can be very windy near the ocean.
- Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment, in case you fall.
- Depending on where you’ll be going, you may want to have some mosquito repellant. After viewing the lava in the daytime, we walked back to our car to escape the sun and sit on cushioned chairs while we waited for sunset. We rolled down the windows and ended up getting some mosquitos in the car. Luckily we had our mosquito repellant with us.
Other Important Considerations
- The earlier you get there the better parking space you’ll get. The current lava viewing point opens at 2pm. We got there just shortly after it opened and had a prime parking space. As we left the parking area later in the evening. We noticed several people having to walk for at least a mile on a dusty, gravel road.
- Be aware of the many dangers of being around active lava. (Mahalo to Angie for the link.)
- Obey all signs and instructions provided by the county employees. (Hey, how about thanking them for establishing this viewing point for visitors to see.)
- Lock your car doors and put valuables out of sight.
- If you are thinking of going to see the lava from the West side of Hawaii, then plan on about a 2.5 hour one way drive.
- Finally, enjoy this rare and awesome display!
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Stay on the trail! – We have lost several people who tried to take a “Short Cut” back to the car. This poor guy He got lost out in the lava fields for five days and was featured on a TV show called something like “I should not be alive”. After about three days, he walked about 10 miles across the lava trying to get to where the helicopters were flying. He found small amounts of water here & there but, he had to stop because his brand new running shoes were shredded and the lava was cutting into his feet with almost every step. http://outside.away.com/outside/news/20070725_1.html
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Be careful near the waters edge. The lava looks solid but it frequently breaks off in large pieces or collapse into the ocean. Move inland quickly if you hear cracking, booming sounds or other unusual noises.
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Hey Dave – thanks for your comments. Whoa…that dude really got himself lost. Eek! With the set up at the current flow, it would be sort of hard to get yourself lost, but I guess it could happen.
Last year a 16 acre lava delta fell into the ocean on the Big Island. That must have made a slight splash.
You can watch some pretty cool time lapse video showing a 2005 lava delta colapse on this site: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/gallery/kilauea/volcanomovies/#oceanentry
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Great article! See, I told you it’s mesmerizing! Nothing like it. I saw the show Dave referred to which is one of the reasons we ALWAYS carry a small mirror with us and we even have white reflective tape for the black lava but the most important thing we carry with us on any hike is our GPS. We’re geocachers so we have it with us for that but we always mark where we parked on the GPS so we can always find our car. (And of course tons of batteries for it) Mahalo for a great article!
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Thank you Angie for your comment and kind words!
We’re kind of lucky right now in that the path to the official viewing is very well defined on each side, so it would be really, really hard to get lost. As you walk towards the ocean, there’s thick shrubs on the right and left. County employees are stationed along the way to keep you pointed in the right direction with flashlights at night.
We’re lucky that it’s also a very short hike now. I believe it’s only about 3/4 of a mile.
Are you going to be able to get out to this flow? We overheard a gentleman say that that he has been coming to the Big Island for over 10 years in a row and this particular lava viewing was the most spectacular he’d seen yet. We were really glad to hear that since we’d been unlucky in the past for lava viewing.
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I would give anything to get out there right now to see this flow, it looks amazing but hubby’s work schedule doesn’t let up until Sept.
But the times we saw lava were flows that had lasted months so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the volcano keeps doing its thing for that long though be both agreed if fountaining ever became involved as it was in the 80’s then we’re on the first plane there! LOL
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Haha! I hear ya about the fountaining! I do hope you’ll get to see the flow later this year when your schedule permits.
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[...] presents Advice for Viewing the Big Island Lava Flow posted at Hawaii Vacation Blog – GoVisitHawaii.com, saying, “Getting to see the active lava [...]
I just had to cancel a trip to the Big Island at the last minute, but the airline will let me use my tickets some other time. I’m really hoping to make the trip while Pele is putting on such a spectacular show!
Mahalo for participating in the Carnival of Aloha!
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Hi Skeet – I hope you get out to the Big Island to see it. It really is amazing!
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Nice picture.
Not sure “One reader, Ben, advises to wear gloves to protect your hands should you fall. Pick up a pair of work gloves from the dollar store.” will help much
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Amazing
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We went on 10/4/2009 it was awesome.We were 3/4 of a mile from the flow and it was spectacular. Easy 20 min hike to the viewing area,it is well marked but a flashlight is mandatory for the trip back.try not to get distracted when walking as the terrian is very uneven and you will fall if not 100% focused.My ankle still hurts from twisting it when aperson talked to me and I answered her not paying attention to where I was going..But well worth it.A must see
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sheila Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Ken – great to hear you got to see such an amazing sight, despite the injury. Hope you heal soon!
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