Hawaiian Volcanos

[Zandy595]

We're planning a trip to Hawaii within the next 2 years and DH is convinced he'll be able to walk down into a volcano while we're there. I told him this might not be possible, but I don't have any facts to back it up. Please settle this argument for us. Are there dormant volcanos that you can walk down into in Hawaii?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Diamondhead is a dormant volcano. You park right in the middle of it then hike up the side.

I believe on Big Island--Volcano national park (or something to that affect)--if a lava flow is going on--you can go right up to it and see it. (Kieluea sp?).

Also--you can visit Kilauea Iki Crater--which they say used to be a pool of lava and sent fountains of lava 1900 feet in the air. This is a 4 mile hike accordign to my guidebook.

Searching my book for some more to help you a bit.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Yes, you can walk down into extinct volcanoes in the Hawaiian islands.

For example, on Maui, we went to see the sun rise over Mt. Haleakala (which is either an extinct or dormant volcano). You can also hike down into the crater.

At one time, I believe, astronauts trained here.

 

[Zandy595]

oops, I forgot to mention we're only going to Maui.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It seems Haleakala Summit also (on Maui) is a dormant volcano with hiking opportunities.

The descriptions don't seem to be precisley what your hubby had in mind--but you are indeed/driving in, around, on, and seeing views from atop, around, into a dormant volcano.

http://gohawaii.about.com/od/haleakala/p/haleakalasummit.htm

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

oops, I forgot to mention we're only going to Maui.

You're in luck--then the answer to your question is...hubby is right

Enjoy your trip!

 

[DawnCt1]

We're planning a trip to Hawaii within the next 2 years and DH is convinced he'll be able to walk down into a volcano while we're there. I told him this might not be possible, but I don't have any facts to back it up. Please settle this argument for us. Are there dormant volcanos that you can walk down into in Hawaii?

Haleakala on Maui has a huge "caldera" that you can hike across. It is a dormant volcano and hasn't erupted since 1790. In geological terms, that is a young volcano. Many parts of Haleakala are already brown through oxidation, but there is still black lava and a black sand beach on the Hana side of the mountain. So yes, you can hike Haleakala on Maui. Most interesting however, and what I would include on any Hawaiian vacation is a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii. One could easily spend three days in Volcano National Park and not be bored. We hiked across Kilauea Iki, which is a "smaller caldera". The ground that you walk on was moultan lava when it erupted with plumes of hot spouting lava in 1959. That eruption lasted for 36 days. There is still steam coming up through fissures in the earth as you walk across. Hot enough to scald in some places. The current flow in from Pu'u O'o began in 1983 and still continues its flow to the ocean. Kileauea is a shield volcano and much of the lava runs through tubes under ground. The last time we were in the park we hiked two miles into the current flow. After dark moultin lava can be seen running down the pali and we were close enough to feel the heat from the lava as it emerged through the tube into the ocean. There are wonderful hikes you can take, through lava tubes that are no longer active, to the steam vents, drives through different flows that are dated,etc. The park rangers offer a wide variety of hikes and informative discussions. There are lots of exhibits you can see there with films, equipment for measuring earth quake, tilt, deformation, etc. One of my favorite sites is http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/main.html

I have it bookmarked and I check the flow at least once a week. If you go there, be sure to be there in the evening so you can see the glow of the flow and a phenomenon that exists in few places in the world. A MOONBOW! Yup, just like a rainbow only at night. When you have explored the park, in Hilo there is a cute little museum that we absolutely enjoyed. Very informative, lots of pictures, etc. The Pacific Tsunami Museum. There is so much more to Hawaii than sand and beaches. I hope you will take the opportunity to really see Hawaii.

 

[Sandy V.]

I saw that you were not going to the Big Island, but I thought I'd post this for anyone who might be:

If you want to actually see lava flowing into the ocean at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Kilauea), be prepared for a long hike!

We just did this 3 days before Christmas. You can only see "steam" from most vantage points during the day. However, to see actual lava flow, you need to go at night, and you have to hike in and out several miles over old flow.

We started hiking around 4:30 p.m. and finally got back to our cars at 9:00 p.m. We were absolutely exhausted the next day, but for us it was well worth it. We are a family of 4 (me, DH, both in our mid 40's and DD18 and DS15).

Take flashlights for everyone in your party. DO NOT BE CHEAP-WE MADE THIS MISTAKE AND IT MADE THE TREK HARDER!! My daughter and I were trying to "share" one and I had a misstep and went down in the dark. Result: 2 skinned knees, a skinned elbow, skinned hand, and an abrasion on the side of my head. (Remember, volcanic rock has glass particles in it!!).

You should wear closed toe shoes; hiking shoes are the best because you really need the ankle support. Take water and snacks as well. Long pants are probably best.

It is an absolutely fabulous sight. Just be prepared, and have fun!!

 

[Servants of Evan]

I'm going to post a portion of a document I always give to friends when I hear they're heading out to the islands. I'll skip the Haleakala portion because it's been decently covered here, but I want to add more to the Kilauea info (or at least my take on it).

"If you continue on the costal highway, you’ll soon find yourself entering one of the neatest places I’ve ever been -- Volcanoes National Park. Hopefully, you’re staying at a B&B or Inn just outside of Volcanoes because it’s one hard & twisty drive back to Kona at night. Volcanoes is an all-day affair, parking your car along the road and hiking over the lava fields to get to the flow… bring a hat, sturdy walking shoes, plenty of water, food, sunscreen, a few flashlights and extra batteries. You’ll want to hang around the lava fields until after it gets dark. Then you can see the molten yellow-orange lava flow coming down the side of the mountain. It’s Surreal. You’re here where earth is being made before your very eyes… Hiking back out to your car in the dark is a challenge, but it’s well worth it. There is no “trail” so to speak, just a reflective-taped traffic cone dropped every 50 yards or so … Also after dark, take a few moments to sit down and rest, turning off your flashlights and looking skyward. If it’s clear, you’ll never see more stars with the naked eye than you can here… Just remember – be careful around the lava – there’s nothing to stop you from taking yourself right out of the food chain and Elton John won’t be singing “The Circle of Life” as you go… "

 

[DawnCt1]

Just remember – be careful around the lava – there’s nothing to stop you from taking yourself right out of the food chain and Elton John won’t be singing “The Circle of Life” as you go… "

That is definately true. There are signs posted everywhere, "Do not breathe the fumes", Do not hike beyond this point, area subject to collapse without warning", etc. It always amazes me to see that "daring" (stupid) couple of people who think that they are touring a theme park and are about to board Space Mountain. Lava benches extend out into the ocean with little or no support under them. They can and do break without warning. Some are over a mile in size. Now that is a big splash and the food chain you will become a part of is the "fish food chain".

 

[TigerBear]

We are going to the Big Island next month , but now I'm a little scared about seeing the volcano at night. My DHtb really hopes to be able to seeing flowing lava. Did all of you do this on your own? I'm trying to decide if it may be better to join a tour. Any thoughts?

I can't wait!!

 

[Servants of Evan]

You can do it on your own. It's not bad. Like we've all said, take a flashlight & extra batteries (I used a petzel LED rock-climbing/spelunking light for hands-free ease). Also bring suncreen, sturdy hiking shoes or at minimum a decently strong pair of tennis shoes (no sandles or flip-flops!) plenty of water, etc. Hike out in the day light and let it get dark. Enjoy then hike back at night. You can do it, but you're walking over old lava flow -- and it's not something which is smooth! It'll be a memory which will definately last a lifetime and is so uber-cool you won't believe you're actually there.

 

[DawnCt1]

We are going to the Big Island next month , but now I'm a little scared about seeing the volcano at night. My DHtb really hopes to be able to seeing flowing lava. Did all of you do this on your own? I'm trying to decide if it may be better to join a tour. Any thoughts?

I can't wait!!

There are LOTS of people there doing the same thing you are doing. The trail is somewhat marked with cones, etc. I would wear long pants. Walking on lava is like walking on a bunch of huge boulders all strung together, sort of up and down, etc. but definately doable. It just takes some time. I would wear long pants because my middle name isn't "Grace" if you know what I mean.

 

[Sandy V.]

We are going to the Big Island next month , but now I'm a little scared about seeing the volcano at night. My DHtb really hopes to be able to seeing flowing lava. Did all of you do this on your own? I'm trying to decide if it may be better to join a tour. Any thoughts?

I can't wait!!

Oh don't let us scare you. I'm 46 next week and just like Dawn, I am NOT a graceful girl! Just follow the advice, especially the part about good hiking shoes, water, food, and your own flashlight, and you'll be fine. We absolutely loved it!!

We did go on our own, although we did end up hiking out with another couple we met along the way. I didn't see any organized hiking tours; I think a lot of the area is "hike at your own risk" because of the terrain.

 

[TigerBear]

Thanks y'all!

 

[grlpwrd]

Yes, please be careful when you go see any volcano there. Rangers are constantly monitoring the situation and are usually supervising the area, but not always so it's always best to use your good judgment.

There have been senseless deaths there, especially at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where people use steam vents thinking they can freely use it as a sauna and sadly die or they misjudge the lava and venture where it's dangerous.

In the Kipahulu area which is on the far eastern side of Haleakala National Park a man died late last month after he was crushed by a boulder:

Man killed by boulder identified

Advertiser Staff

KIPAHULU, Maui — A 25-year-old man killed Saturday when he was crushed by a boulder while hiking in an East Maui stream was identified today as Matthew Boatitti.

Boatitti was with three friends when he tried to climb the bank of Lelekea Stream and grabbed onto a boulder, pulling it loose, said Mark Tanaka-Sanders, chief ranger at Haleakala National Park's Kipahulu District.

Boatitti fell backward and the boulder, measuring 3 feet by 4 feet, pinned him in the stream bed. His companions managed to hold his head above water and to roll the rock off his body, Tanaka-Sanders said. Rescuers evacuated the man but he died from his injuries.

He said Boatitti was originally from New Jersey, and had moved to Maui only recently, staying at Laulima Farm in East Maui.

In this case it wasn't at the volcano, but nonetheless nature rules there so use caution.

I hiked all the volcanoes and the nearby areas because I grew up there. Remember, Haleakala means "house of the sun" and it really feels like it. In the early morning and in the evening/night it gets cold, but during the day you will feel the effects of the sun so be sure to dress appropriately, bring food and water, wear comfortable hiking shoes and sunscreen, and be in good cardio condition when you go.

At the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park it rains a lot so be sure to bring ponchos.

GL and be safe!

 

[cindy21494]

TigerBear, when are you going to be there? We are also going next month and have booked a tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail. I'm hoping that they will be able to show us the best sights.

Have a great trip.