Kona Airport (KOA) is about a 2.5-hour drive from Volcano. There are two routes to the lodge from Kailua-Kona. Saddle Road is the fastest route taking about 2 hours.
People Also Ask
Hilo Airport (ITO) is the closest airport and takes about 45 minutes. Turn left upon leaving Hilo airport onto Highway 11 (Hawaii Belt Road).
Driving non-stop via the Southpoint Route is a long 100-mile winding drive to Volcano (2.5 Hours). There are many adventures along the way. If you want to take the tour, plan to spend 4 or 5 hours from Kona Airport to Volcano. Use the map and directions to find each of the listed tour points along the way.
Drive from Kona over The Saddle Road to Hilo. The Saddle Road is a 53-mile experience and the fastest way to travel from Kona through Hilo to Volcano (2 Hours). It connects the east and west sides of The Big Island, passing between the island's two largest mountains ~ Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.
If the park determines that access to the flow is safe you can go on a hike to see the lava. Because viewing conditions change on a daily basis you should look up the most recent information about the active surface flows shortly before you plan to see the lava yourself.
Most of the hike is on a steep incline which becomes tougher the higher you hike. Total elevation gain is 5150 ft./ 1500 m. The final hour of the hike is the toughest because by that point, you are so high up that you're climbing through volcanic sand instead of solid ground. Combined with the altitude, it's strenuous.
Despite all of these impressive figures Kilauea is the most famous of the Hawaiian volcanoes, and rightly so! As the youngest and most active of the five volcanoes you can often see its lava either flowing into the ocean or glowing in the immense Halema'uma'u crater that crowns the park grounds.
Is Hawaii Safe to Visit? If you're wondering “is Hawaii safe to visit” the answer is a resounding YES! While Kilauea's lava flow remains powerful after an initial eruption on May 3 and series of subsequent earthquakes, the island is not completely shut down – contrary to popular belief.
Lava is best seen at night along the south rim. There are three main viewing locations: Kupina?i Pali (Waldron Ledge) from Crater Rim Trail, Kilauea Overlook, and Keanakako?i Crater. Keanakako?i Crater is the closest eruption viewpoint - here you'll see a lava lake that emits a reddish-orange glow at night!
Over time, volcanoes have formed some of our most iconic landscapes. Today, Hawai?i Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawai?i is one of the few places in the world where visitors can come face to face with an active volcano—a truly unforgettable experience.
Lava viewing tips:All eruptive activity is taking place within the Halema?uma?u carter, inside the Hawai?i Volcanoes National Park. – How? The best way to see the lava from this eruption is from one of the official viewpoints around the Halema?uma?u crater.
Zone 9, considered the least hazardous region, consists of Kohala, a volcano that has not erupted for 60,000 years. Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Lava-flow hazard zones map, Island of Hawai'i.
Taking Lava Rocks Is Illegal!Taking lava rocks from Hawaii is illegal because it is considered to be taking a protected natural resource from the state. Lava rocks are formed from the cooled lava that flows from volcanoes and can be found in various places around the Hawaiian islands.