Go Visit Hawaii

These are really exciting times around Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii.  I check the Hawaii Volcano Observatory Kilauea updates and web camera images fairly regularly.  For quite a while there’s not been much going on incandescence-wise at Puu Oo, but take a look at the above image that I captured from the observatory’s web cam just this morning.

It was a year ago that Pu’u O’o was a large lava lake.  Take a look at the images captured last year.

In other Kilauea updates:

• There’s an amazing lava pond and fountain that is shooting waves of lava up to 45 feet high.  Scientists say it’s been years since they’ve seen lava fountains as impressive as this one.  The lava fountain is located 2 miles from the Kilauea summit and 6 miles from the ocean.  It is inaccessible by foot.  The best way to see lava fountains is by helicopter tour.  KGMB has a great story and video.
• The lava tube system that had been transporting lava to the ocean at Waikupanaha entry point seems to have been blocked and now there are only “dribbles” lava flowing to the ocean., per KITV No plume has been reported for a couple of days now.  The tube blockage is producing surface flows.  UPDATE:  more recent reports indicate that lava is flowing back to the ocean at a good steady rate.
• Halemaumau crater located in the Volcanoes National Park continues to produce it’s impressive plume.

It’s absolutely amazing!  Isn’t it?

Whoa!  You’ve got to check out these two tremendous videos of Kilauea volcano activity.  The first video was shot over the past couple of days. (Credit for this video find to Bobbie at the Virtual Scratchpad.)  This week, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory began reporting that some of the lava tubes that had been carrying lava to the ocean had ruptured and so lava started surfacing again near the former Royal Gardens subdivision. In the video, you can see that some trees are being consumed by the new surface flows. Some of the lava tubes are still intact and continue to carry lava to the ocean at the Waikupanaha entry near the end of Highway 130.

There have been some dramatic explosions of lava meeting the ocean at the Waikupanaha entry per the HVO.  Here’s a video that’s been loaded recently of the  Waikupanaha entry.  I’d estimate it was shot on or about June 30th. 

What an exciting time to be visiting the Big Island!  If you’re going and want to see the lava flowing, please see these tips for viewing the lava flow.  For the latest on the current lava viewing area at the end of Highway 130, see this link and the HVO daily reports. 

You never know what you are going to find when you go searching for lava flowing on Hawaii’s Big Island.  Though Kilauea has been erupting consistently for decades, you can’t really predict when and where lava will pop up or disappear next.  In this article, we’ll take a look at the same lava viewing point from mid-March compared to early June.

The Go Visit Hawaii official photographer and fabulous husband, Andy, took the photo below in mid-March.  In that photo, you can distinctly see lava flowing on the surface (right side of photo) and into the ocean at multiple points. 

Now, let’s take a look at a photo snapped last week at the very same lava viewing point.  (Photo credit to a very nice reader, B. Marks from North Carolina.)  Several hours before this photo,  an unstable hardened lava landmass collapsed in to the ocean.  As you can see from the photo, the lava viewing is indirect, but you can still see the very impressive red glow.  Note that you can’t see any surface flows, because lava eventually created underground tubes over time.

Per the Kilauea volcano status report on Monday, June 9th,

officials reported that the active Waikupanaha ocean entry has now built out farther allowing direct views of lava flowing into the ocean and explosions from the Viewing Area.

So, there you can see, lava viewing is very unpredictable.  I suppose that’s part of the intrigue of an active volcano. 

If you are going to the Big Island to see the current lava flow, try to build in some flexibility into your itinerary, if you can.  Check daily updates online and by calling (808) 961-8093.  Also, see my tips for viewing the Big Island lava flow.

I frequently check out the web cam views from the Hawaii Volcano Observatory.  Just now, I checked in to see this amazing view of Halema’uma’u at dawn.  You can see the read glow of lava and the plume of ash.  You can check the web cam for yourself here. 

As mentioned in an earlier news roundup, the Halema’uma’u Crater recently exploded again for the first time since 1924. It is now spewing out a plume of ash.  (This crater is located on the Big Island at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.)

Hawaii Volcano Observatory has set up a web camera of the ash plume at the crater. The images are updated periodically. Use this link to see the latest views.

The photo to the left is from the March 28th web camera at 3:47pm Hawaii time. Try if you can, to check out some nighttime images where you might see some incandescence.

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. Cars are not allowed to enter past 8pm.

Where to Find the Lava
At the present time, you’ll find the lava flowing at the end of Highway 130 on the East side, not far from Kalapana. You can use the links on this page to find the lava.

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!

As the husband–and “official photographer/videographer”–of Go Visit Hawaii’s fabulous editor, Sheila, I get the enviable task of following her around Hawaii. Hey, it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

We were lucky enough to find ourselves on the Big Island of Hawaii just as the recent Kilauea lava flow reached the ocean. Even luckier, we grabbed a prime viewing spot–just a few hundreds yards away–and snapped lots of photos and videos.

In case you’re not able to witness Pele in all her glory yourself, we’ve put together the following exclusive video for you.

Here’s fresh video of the lava flow to the ocean that was just loaded yesterday.

Isn’t it amazing?

Woohoo! Lava began flowing to the ocean again yesterday! Hawaii county is in the process of preparing a lava viewing point. That point is planned to be in place by tomorrow, per this KGMB video.

In the meantime, you can get an incredible view from the ocean on a boat tour. Lava Ocean Adventures runs tours to see the lava twice daily for morning and evening views. I spoke to Shane at Lava Ocean Adventures today and he said the lava is as good as ever and that tours are booking quickly. The tours last 2.5 to 3.0 hours and leave at 5:00a and 4:30p. The current cost of the tour is $199 per passenger, though that price may come down if they can arrange to use their larger boat. To get an idea of what the tour might be like, view their brief video ad.

Oh!
My!
Goodness!

Lava has suddenly started moving rapidly towards the ocean at a clip of a half mile per day.  If you click on the Hawaii Volcano Observatory image on the left, you’ll be able to see an expanded map with a legend.  As of today, from the image, it appears that the lava is approximately a half mile from the ocean.

As I reported last week, lava viewing through Royal Gardens has been off limits, but, in a new development, the Star Bulletin is reporting that Hawaii County is preparing a lava viewing site.

“By the end of this week, we’ll have a nice safe place for people to view one of nature’s greatest wonderments, its power, its creativity,” said Mayor Harry Kim.

My heart started pounding quicker when I learned that the lava may be flowing to a point I could actually see it.  I’m going to the Big Island next week and in the past, I’ve never been lucky enough to see the lava from the ground, only from the air.  So, I hope that in the next three weeks, God willing, I’ll be able to bring you some current photos and video of the lava flow.  Please keep your fingers crossed.