There is about 1,200,000 travelers who goes to the park annually in accordance with park records. A 30 mile ride which is located in Hilo and is about 100 miles from Kailua-Kona, a lot of this visitors stop by and visit the park, do stretching of their legs, and carry on as they drive along the area without noticing the best of what the place will offer.
The center of attention with the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is undoubtedly the volcanic activity that is continuous since 1983. The primary activity centers to focus on Pu'u 'O'o vent at the eastern part of the park. Through the years, the lava that flows out of this area buries the town of Kalapana.
On a recent activity of the Halemaumau Crater which didn't erupt since 1982, is responsible for a pool size lava to go up 260' on top (when compared with its normal depth of more than 500') and a bigger area falling in. The past couple of years, Kilauea has throwing out steam and toxic gas, which made Park officials to seal a part of Crater Rim Dr.
Last 2011 March 6th, with its volcanic activity going on Halemaumau Crater, also with Pu'u 'O'o Crater along with the eastern part rift (around 1 to 2 mi west area of Pu'u 'O'o Crater) caused the Park services to close up areas of the surrounding park and its areas. The lava fountains spewed goes as high as 100' before settling to return to a manageable height of 50-65' for a few days. In a coincidence, the activity ceased to a stop of the day Japan was hit by a tsunami.
Are you going to see a lava flow on your stop at the park? Pele, the Goddess Volcano of Hawaii, is incredibly fickle and it is of no guarantee of an activity to take place on any day, though, the Park service does a great job of helping you discover the latest happening and to what part.
The visitor center of the park has a superb way of knowing the latest and current information, and also with knowing facts of historical information. You will get to see displays of local animals and plants that lives in area of the park. You will get to see a film shown at daytime that depicts the stunning display about Madam Pele as well as the superb lava fountains which goes beyond the height of about 800 to 1000'.
Also, Volcanoes National Park now offers visitors an opportunity walk in the rainforest, hike across the fields of lava, watch this exciting Hawaiian petroglyphs, and most of all walk on a real lava tube. Lava tubes include the primary ways of lava traveling longer distances without solidifying.
The best walk to try is the trail leading to the visitor's center, down the street, across the side of the Kilauea Cauldera, and then going to the Thurston Lava Tube. The minute you go beyond the paved path near the famous place of Volcano House Hotel, you'll probably get to see a number of these indigenous birds that may not be found anywhere outside the boundaries of the park. Giant ferns makes a way leading you to its lava tube, which was paved and lighted for a safer way.
You may also hike going down to Cauldera and over it's lava floor, which doesn't look too deep...unless you get to see people hiking across finding out the distance they traveled. There are lots of trails consisting the lot of park which may take you weeks time to cover all of them. Starting with the rainforests closer to the entrance, to the west and south desert like terrain, or to the sea cliffs which is miles farther, it is such a terrain.
Hiking can be a fun experience here but can get tough on your shoes so it is best to use a sturdy footwear as the lava won't be too friendly. Visiting this place has been a great chance for kahuna healing.
The Kind of Lava are of 2 Types. You will find a smooth surface variation known as "pahoehoe" in Hawaii and also jagged-edged lava, which is called "a'a". Its easier to note it since once your skin touches it what comes out your mouth of that feeling is how it is when saying it.
For anyone thinking of having the best outdoor experience, with its free campsites to use of the areas, though this may likely be for a first come, first served procedure and is only to a limit of up to 7 days. Anyone who considers backpacking must ensure they do have water-tight tent and must be ready for the cold along with damp weather that sneaks through the night.
Although many people anticipated a hot, with dry surroundings when talking about volcano, the entrance to the Park which is the Visitor Center goes to a rain-forest and is 4,000' over sea level. Mostly cool and damp, with a fog at night which is of usual happening, it is a must for visitors to carry along wind-breaker or even just a light jacket, for winds will make you uncomfortable, most of the times in early morning and evening.
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park houses many endangered and native types of plant and of wildlife, including Nene goose. The delicate eco-system threatened by species like rats, wild pigs and mongoose. Feral hogs are incredibly threatening for destroying plants as well as trees on finding for food.
There may be some minimal fee like $10 per car entry (3 days), if not asks for a fee of $25 of a tri park annual fee which is best for Pu'uhonua o'Honaunau, National Historic Park in Kona , also Haleakala National Park located in Maui and for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Lovers of nature with shutter-bugs should provide themselves enough time to enjoy everything that the Hawaii Volcanoes Parks can give.