Lava

[SandyS]

There seems to be some activity once again down by the Kalapana viewing area. We noticed a small plume this morning. On our way back down the hill we picked up a hitch hiker who was headed down to take a look. Friends had told him that the visitors center caught on fire and the lava was crossing the road. We have not had a chance to go down to check it out for ourselves though.

[csgray]

We tried to go during the "official" hours last week several days before the lava crossed the road and they were parking people way back at the beginning of Kalapana Vacation Lots (where the new houses have been built)and were keeping people well behind the big Kipuka where they used to park people. There were multiple busloads of chattering tourists crammed into a really small viewing area pretty far from the flow, so we didn't stay long.

I really miss being able to just drive out to the end of the road and watch the sun go down over the mountain and see the flows emerge as night falls, in relative solitude and quiet. I know this is a big tourist draw and money maker for the tour companies, but for me the whole lava experience is fundamental to why I live here, and it is as close to church as I get, so the current experience reminds me of tour groups getting led through Chartres Cathedral while some people are trying to pray.

Carol

[DaVinci]

Well said.

[Scott_S]

Has anyone been down to the viewing area lately? I was wondering if you can get close enough to make it worth while going.

[melo1112]

Leigh Hilbert's Blog is best info with pictures

http://hawaiianlavadaily.blogspot.com/

[hooligal]

I'm confused, is Kalapana Access Road the 130/137 intersection by the water spigots? where I would turn if I want to go to Uncle Roberts & Kalapana Cafe? It's all the way out THERE?!

* I'd rather fail at happiness than succeed at misery *

[DanielP]

No. 130 &137 intersected furthur east (near where the county had the viewing parking area) before the Kalapana flow. It was sort of a loop. Sorry for the lousy sentence.

[missydog1]

I'm confused too. How close is it to the current version of 130 and its intersection with 137 that goes to Kehena or Uncle Roberts?

[abe]

just came from and man is it flowing.

[DanielP]

Kathy H,

My guess is about 2.5 miles. I think that before the Kalapana flow that is where 130 and 137 met.

Dan