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+--- Thread: Volcano for visitors daytrip? (/showthread.php?tid=8424)
Volcano for visitors daytrip? - hawaiideborah - 01-24-2011
I have visitors with 15 yr. old and 18 year old boys.
We want to go up to Volcano Nat. Park. What do you suggest for us to see?
Know that they don't want to hike any long trails.
Thought Thurston Lava Tube, and Chain of Craters Drive...
but not sure how to give more of an overview for a day trip.
Any suggestions?
Also, is it worth it to take them to the night viewing where you walk in by Kalapana?
THANKS much for your help
RE: Volcano for visitors daytrip? - Carey - 01-24-2011
On Chain of Craters, definitely do the Pu'u Loa Petroglyph walk (ealry am - before it gets hot)- it it less than a mile out & has an amazing collection of petroglyphs (not to far from when you turn along the shore & after descending down the pali)
If it is open, drive down Hilina Pali Rd tot he Pali overlook
On the rim road, Pu'u Pua'i trail to the overlook is not real long & anywhere around the Kilauea Iki trailhead over to the Devastation trailhead are great bird watching spots (very common to see the white rump of the `Apapane - Jack Jeffreys taught us "`Apapane has white fanny....")
Always good to stoop in the Jaggar
Kalapana has been very variable for night viewing, daily to weekly the variations are anywhere from lava up close to distant dots on the pali.... but still a great time can be had, stop off earlier at the end of the Kaimu/kalapana - Kapoho Rd & walk out the trail -over the lava flow that covered the almost resort Black Sand Beach to the ocean, along the hundreds of palms planted over the last few years...
RE: Volcano for visitors daytrip? - hawaiideborah - 01-24-2011
Thank you Carey for the excellent suggestions. Will do the tours as you suggested. Very helpful. I just didn't really know where to start. This will make a great day trip of it.
thanks again.
RE: Volcano for visitors daytrip? - SandyS - 01-24-2011
If your guests have never seen lava flowing I would think the Kalapana viewing area would be an awsome experience for them. We took our guests down two nights during their two week stay. Nice red rivers of lava after dark both nights. The first night Peggy's home was still standing. The second night it was gone and the lava had claimed quite a bit more of 130. We were even given a chunk of still hot new earth to handle. Can't do that too many places! It is an easy walk right down the road.
RE: Volcano for visitors daytrip? - KeaauRich - 01-24-2011
Deb,
The "Big Island Revealed" guide book has great info about the Volcano Park..well worth picking up a copy before you head out. And the night view is always worth checking out. Surprisingly enough, my then-teenagers loved the zoo also. They're girls, but they tended to be cynical, so if they liked it, the guys might too.
BTW, I bet they'd hike down the trail to Kehena Beach
RE: Volcano for visitors daytrip? - hawaiideborah - 01-25-2011
Thanks all for the suggestions.
SandyS: did you go to the official evening viewing area where the parking is and the park rangers are for the evening? If not, where did you go?
Keaaurich: ya, have the Hawaii Revealed book. It has so many good choices, I like to ask locals for their favs. Loke the zoo suggestion and the Kehena Beach. They have never seen black sand before.
Really happy with the suggestions.
Thanks much.
RE: Volcano for visitors daytrip? - missydog1 - 01-25-2011
deborah,
hi, I have some information for you from my friend who is one of the best lava guides around. Email me through Punaweb if you are interested.
RE: Volcano for visitors daytrip? - mdd7000 - 01-25-2011
hawaiideborah, taking teenage boys to Kehena Beach isn't exactly smart.
It is a clothing optional beach, mostly populated with gay men. [
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RE: Volcano for visitors daytrip? - SandyS - 01-25-2011
Deb,
Yes, we were at the official evening viewing area with the parking lot and guards at the end of 130. There is also a nice easy path out to a small black sand beach at the end of 137 right across from the Kalapana Village cafe, if you choose to bypass the clothing optional Kehena Beach. See pages 119 and 120 in the 2010 edition of The Big Island Reveled.
RE: Volcano for visitors daytrip? - mdd7000 - 01-25-2011
The black sand beach across from (1/2 mile away) the Kalapana Village Cafe, is not a safe area for the casual swimmer. With a board and fins, you at least have a chance. There are some dangerous currents there. There was a recent drowning there as well.