THE KILAUEA VOLCANO HAS
STOPPED ERUPTING AND THERE ARE NO VISIBLE LAVA FLOWS OR POOLS IN
THE EAST RIFT ZONE, THE MAIN VOLCANO SUMMIT OR VOLCANO NATIONAL
PARK AREA. MOST OF THE VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK AND MAJORITY OF
THE HIKES AND TRAILS HAVE RE-OPENED. CLOSURES ARE STILL IN EFFECT
FOR THE MAIN SUMMIT AND CRATER AREA.
IF YOU WERE PLANNING TO
VISIT HAWAII BIG ISLAND IN THE NEXT FEW MONTH, PLEASE CHECK THE
USGS AND NATIONAL PARKS WEBSITES FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE YOU GO, BUT AT PRESENT, THERE IS NO ACTIVITY
THAT PRESENTS ANY DANGER TO VISITORS OR RESIDENTS.
AT THIS TIME, THE TRADERS,
SERVICES AND SUPPLIERS IN THIS AREA OF HAWAII BIG ISLAND COULD
REALLY USE THE SUPPORT OF VISITORS AND TOURISM, SO PLEASE DON'T
DISCOUNT THE ISLAND FOR YOUR TRIP.
Click HERE for a map of
Hawaii Big Island
All our itineraries are tailor-made
to your exact requirements, but if you would like some ideas for
itineraries and guide prices, please click HERE
Hawaii is the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands
and like the others, has grown from volcanic activity. An
Island of dramatic contrasts; from the dizzy heights of Mauna Kea,
Mauna Loa and Kilauea, to the beautiful beaches of Kona and South
Kohala.
The height of the mountains through
the central area of Hawaii creates a divide in the weather,
with the western side of the island dry, and the eastern side
wetter and more lush. The mountains of Hawaii rise to nearly 14,000 feet from sea
level and almost 33,500 feet from the ocean floor making them
comparable with the highest peaks of the European Alps. On
the West coast, the volcanic slopes stretch down to the resorts and
sunny white-sand beaches of Kona, South Kohala, Hapuna State Beach
Park and Magic Sands Beach. Some distance behind the resorts
and beaches lie coffee farms from which the world famous Kona
coffee comes from. This volcanic landscape is studded with
beautiful emerald golf courses, lush tropical forests, plantations
and farms as well as world famous tourist attractions.
Beaches bordered by swaying palms slip into clear warm water
where exquisitely coloured fish flash in and out of coral
reefs.
To the south of the Island, the
lava flows that reach the sea have given rise to beaches that vary
in colour from black to brilliant white or green, with sand tinted
by volcanic minerals. South of Hilo, in the Puna Region,
visitors are able to watch in safety volcanic action at first
hand. Volcano National Park and Kilauea
Volcano will leave you in awe of Mother Nature, as you get
very close to the lava flows and the volcano craters. There
are walking trails with look-out platforms in many places, to
get the best view of the unpredictable volcanic
activity. Rangers from the Hawaii Volcano National Park are
stationed around the park to provide spectators with information
and direct them to the best vantage points. You can also view the
lava flows and volcanoes by air, on helicopter sightseeing trips, or lava
flow boat trips, like those offered by Lava
Ocean, to get up close and personal with the lava as
it sizzles and steams into the ocean. For up-to-date
information, visit the Hawaii Big Island website, for current activity
reports, photos, movies and lots of information.
Apart from the volcanos, there are
also many other attractions and activities to enjoy on Hawaii.
There are a large number of golf courses, museums,
gardens and parks to enjoy as well as numerous walking and
organised tours, by many varied means of transport and a world
famous Observatory.
The story of Hawaii supplies more
of the pieces that go to make the jigsaw of interlocking events
that have shaped Hawaiian history. The often recorded King
Kamehameha the Great was born here. Hilo, Hawaii's second
largest and the wettest city and the island main port, is
also the heart of the world's orchid business with about 30,000
species grown here.
The largest family-owned ranch in
the US is on the Big Island. Founded in 1847, The Parker
Ranch's 225,000 acres are now home to 50,000 cattle and 400
horses. In 1989 The Parker Ranch and home of Richard Smart,
the sixth generation owner, were opened to the public, and
guided tours are now available for visitors.
The islands that make up the
Hawaiian chain are all very different and each can offer a diverse
and distinct experience to the visitor. For more information
on all these beautiful islands, you can visit the official Hawaii
Tourism website, The Hawaiian Islands, for lots of advice
and interesting facts.
Click HERE for
details of some of the different excursions and tours on
Hawaii - Big Island that are available during your stay.