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Is volcano National Park worth visiting?

This is a truly unique place that is unquestionably worth visiting. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park preserves some of the most unique and distinctive global geological, biological, and revered cultural landscapes. This national park is home to a couple of the most active volcanoes in the world: Mauna Loa and Kilauea.



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You can pack a lot of the Big Island in a short time, and don't need to spend an entire day in the park to enjoy the main sights. If you're trying to decide the when to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park instead of spending a full day, the best time of day to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is in the morning.

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The Kilauea is a dynamic volcano, and lava viewing conditions change daily. Even if a viewing area is organized by the National Park, this does not guarantee close access of the lava.

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It is illegal to take lava rocks from Volcano National Park. Not only that it can bring very bad luck as its an insult to Pele. Hundreds of lava rocks get sent back to Hawaii because of this well known kapu(taboo) on snatching parts of Pele the Goddess of the Volcanos!

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Visiting the park by car is easy to do. The two main roads visitors will travel are Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road. All roads in the park are two-wheel drive roadways and do not require four-wheel drive vehicles.

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At 1,219 meters, (4,000 feet), the summit of Kilauea can be chilly at any time. Bring a rain jacket, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

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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.

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The 600-foot-long cave is a great introduction to lava tube geology. The solidified drips and waves of once-liquid lava rock clearly show the molten forces that created this cave. Your flashlight reveals beautiful shapes and colors of minerals leeching from the rock.

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Common Items from Hawaii NOT ALLOWED into the U.S. Mainland or Alaska
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables, some exceptions are those listed below as permitted.
  • Berries of any kind, including fresh coffee berries and sea grapes.
  • Cactus plants or cactus plant parts.
  • Cotton and cotton bolls.
  • Fresh flowers of jade vine, and Mauna Loa.


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Make sure you have enough protection from the sun and unexpected rain showers. For footwear, decide what to bring based on the terrain. Easy and smooth hikes require less support so trail runners may work great. For treks on rugged trails, boots will likely be a better option.

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Collecting beach glass and shells is still allowed. But if you're collecting shells for the purposes of commercial activity, a Commercial Marine License is required per HRS §189-2,3 and Hawai'i Administrative Rule §13-74-20.

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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!

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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.

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