We got another early start this morning, because we were moving to another hotel on the Hilo side of the island and spending the day at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park along the way.
But in reality we were late. Eleven months late, to be exact. Erupting nearly continuously since 1983, the last time Kīlauea actively emitted lava at the surface was in early September 2018. How cool would it have been to see molten lava?! From a very safe distance, of course. Bummer.
After we checked out of the Holiday Inn Express and loaded up the van, we headed south on Highway 11 and queued up the audio tour. We stopped at a scenic overlook just past the town of Ocean View, with the southernmost point in the United States (Ka Lae) visible in the distance. (I also want to point out that my head was still foggy from the "less drowsy" Dramamine I took yesterday evening. A more accurate label would be "delayed but prolonged drowsy." Ugh!)
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| The lava flow behind us is from the 1907 eruption of Mauna Loa |
Just a little further down the highway is the town of Nāʻālehu, home of the Punaluʻu Bake Shop. Thankfully we ordered our malasadas and sat down to eat them just before a huge tour group arrived. So yummy!
We skipped the detour to South Point (Ka Lae), and kept on driving towards Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP. About an hour later, we arrived at the visitor center and were able to find a place to park. Inside, we looked thru the exhibits and watched a really interesting video of last year's eruption. The not-so-interested-in-junior-rangering-anymore sons were also convinced by their father to work on the booklets in order to get a "Hawaiʻi Volcanoes" badge.
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| Sulphur Banks |
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| Steam Vents |
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| Halemaʻumaʻu Crater |
We hiked back to the visitor center via the ʻIliahi Trail, which was more pleasant because of the shade from the trees. Then we hopped in the car and set out for Chain of Craters Road, while eating sandwiches for lunch en route.
The Shaka Guide audio tour for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP was really invaluable for this part of our visit. Based on the narrator's recommendations, we pulled off to view Puhimau Crater...
...and Pauahi Crater.
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| Pauahi last erupted in 1979 |
Next we stopped to take a short hike along the Mauna Ulu Eruption Trail. Well, three of us did, anyway. If you guessed that someone would rather keep napping, you'd be right! |
| Lava "ice cream", anyone? |
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| Watch me whip, watch me nene |
At the Kealakomo Overlook, this is the view we were treated to...
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| Mauna Ulu |
The Hōlei Sea Arch sits at the end of Chain of Craters Road.
Then we retraced our route back to the visitor center, with the audio tour entertaining us with stories about the Hawaiian goddess Pele along the way.
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| 1972 lava flow ʻaʻā lava is rough (dark black), while pahoehoe lava is smooth (silver-grey) |
Last order of business - collect junior ranger badges, buy souvenirs, and snag a pic of the park sign!
It took us about 45 minutes to drive to Hilo, where we checked in to the Grand Naniloa Hotel (free night with Hilton HHonors points for the win!) Then we ventured out for dinner at Cafe 100, the eatery that bills itself as the "Home of the Loco Moco". What is loco moco, you ask? Invented in Hilo, the original version is a hamburger patty served over rice, covered in brown gravy, and topped with an egg. Cafe 100 offers a wide variety on their menu. Here's what we filled our bellies with...
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| Top: Saimin and chili over rice Bottom: Portuguese sausage moco and spam moco |
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