06-30-2008, 03:21 AM
Yes, I saw the lava at the ocean entry, but the vent and plume at Halema'uma'u was more impressive to me. It is gigantic, and when you consider the power it took to carve out the puka it is in, well, it's overwhelming. Thanks for the tip on seeing it at night. We drove by it during the day on the way to Kau (and Honaunau). That was impressive. But the incandescence at night is worth seeing. And, I agree, difficult to photograph, although HVO has done a pretty good job of it. But the photographs do not reveal the scale. You can only get that on site. There were hundreds watching the lava at the ocean entry point. Just a few flashlights make there way to and from the Jagger overlook. The vent is the more memorable sight.