The first thing I must make perfectly clear is that there is no flowing lave in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park or anywhere on the Island of Hawaii. This was made known to us by the million signs distributed throughout the Visitor Center and by listening to conversations between the Park Rangers and the tourists who failed to read the million signs taped everywhere and the notice they got as they entered the park. The poor park employees!
Kailua disappeared in our rearview mirror as we made our way up and over the island to the Hawai’I Volcanoes National Park. The drive was about 80 miles of volcanic rock mixed with lush green grasses and small trees. It is so different than any place we have been before. The stark lava flows are like the area we went through down in southern Idaho by Craters of the Moon National Monument, except for the lush greenery. The colors contrast greatly. The long drive doesn’t seem as long because you always have something to see.
 |
| Akaka Falls. |
From the top of the pass we dropped down into Hilo, Judy and Dale had warned us that this was the wet part of the island and that they had never visited without it pouring down rain their entire visit. The highway was wet, but the sun was out and we had bluebird skies! We drove north through Hilo and out along the ocean about 15 miles where we turned left and wound our way to Akaka Falls State Park.
As the park title implies, Akaka Falls is the centerpiece of the short hike. Boy, was it beautiful! This area exemplifies exactly what I think of when I daydream of Hawaii. We walked the cement path and took a hundred pictures of the flowers, plants and waterfalls. This stop was well worth the drive!
From the lush rainforest of Akaka Falls, we retraced our route back through Hilo and then on south into the stark lava flows of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
Our first stop was at the Volcano House where we ate lunch overlooking the huge crater. Dale and Judy had been here several times, and they were amazed at the new size of the crater. In the recent months of activity, the crater had more than doubled in size and many of the viewpoints and drives no longer existed. The volcanic activity has drastically changed the face of the volcano and the park. It was amazing!
After lunch we went to the visitor’s center where we witnessed tourists, standing next to signs and flyers, asking the poor park rangers the same question, over and over. “Where is the lava flows?” It was obvious that they had not read the flyer given to them at the entrance, nor taken time to read the signs and printed posters explaining that due to the huge eruptions and changes in the volcano, there now is no flowing lava in the park or on the entire island of Hawaii. We shook our heads and began our exploration of the Park.
 |
| Beautiful bamboo. |
We drove as far on Crater Rim Drive as we were allowed (not very far – this road disappeared after the eruption and following activity) where the earth slid away and took photos of the crater. There are steam holes everywhere around the area and the park crews have place cones and warning signs around most of the close ones.
Next, we drove the Chain of Craters Road down to the ocean and out to the end of the pavement. There we walked to the Hōlei Sea Arch. We had a laugh when Linda couldn’t find the arch by looking north. It turns out that the arch was just below her and she was basically looking in the wrong spot.
We drove back up the Chain of Craters Road, stopping at the craters that Dale suggested were best. This park is a very hard place to get good photos. Everything is very large and the base colors of gray and black make it very interesting but the camera does not do it justice.
When we finished the park tour we drove southwest following the highway in the direction to the southernmost point where we had been the day before. Along the way we stopped at a black sand beach and explored. There were four Green Sea Turtles basking in the sun so we were able to take some photos before we got back on the road.
We hooked up with the highway that we had driven down and back to the southernmost point in the US. This took us back home, our day at the volcano behind us.
Āina ake akua i noho ai - Land where the goddess dwells.
 |
| Kilauea Iki Crater. |
 |
| Steam venting from Kilauea Iki Crater. |
 |
| Linda taking a steam bath near the crater. |
 |
| View from top of Chain of Craters Road. |
 |
| Looking north from Hōlei Sea Arch. |
 |
| Lava flows have wonderful designs. |
 |
| Hōlei Sea Arch. |
 |
| Nene, Hawaiian state bird. |
 |
| Pauahi Crater. |
 |
| Black sand beach. |
 |
| Four Green Sea Turtles basking in the sun. |
The first thing I must make perfectly clear is that there is no flowing lave in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park or anywhere on the Island of Hawaii. This was made known to us by the million signs distributed throughout the Visitor Center and by listening to conversations between the Park Rangers and the tourists who failed to read the million signs taped everywhere and the notice they got as they entered the park. The poor park employees!
Kailua disappeared in our rearview mirror as we made our way up and over the island to the Hawai’I Volcanoes National Park. The drive was about 80 miles of volcanic rock mixed with lush green grasses and small trees. It is so different than any place we have been before. The stark lava flows are like the area we went through down in southern Idaho by Craters of the Moon National Monument, except for the lush greenery. The colors contrast greatly. The long drive doesn’t seem as long because you always have something to see.
As the park title implies, Akaka Falls is the centerpiece of the short hike. Boy, was it beautiful! This area exemplifies exactly what I think of when I daydream of Hawaii. We walked the cement path and took a hundred pictures of the flowers, plants and waterfalls. This stop was well worth the drive!
Our first stop was at the Volcano House where we ate lunch overlooking the huge crater. Dale and Judy had been here several times, and they were amazed at the new size of the crater. In the recent months of activity, the crater had more than doubled in size and many of the viewpoints and drives no longer existed. The volcanic activity has drastically changed the face of the volcano and the park. It was amazing!
After lunch we went to the visitor’s center where we witnessed tourists, standing next to signs and flyers, asking the poor park rangers the same question, over and over. “Where is the lava flows?” It was obvious that they had not read the flyer given to them at the entrance, nor taken time to read the signs and printed posters explaining that due to the huge eruptions and changes in the volcano, there now is no flowing lava in the park or on the entire island of Hawaii. We shook our heads and began our exploration of the Park.
We drove back up the Chain of Craters Road, stopping at the craters that Dale suggested were best. This park is a very hard place to get good photos. Everything is very large and the base colors of gray and black make it very interesting but the camera does not do it justice.
When we finished the park tour we drove southwest following the highway in the direction to the southernmost point where we had been the day before. Along the way we stopped at a black sand beach and explored. There were four Green Sea Turtles basking in the sun so we were able to take some photos before we got back on the road.
No comments:
Post a Comment