As stated in the foundation document: The purpose of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is to protect, study, and provide access to Kilauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world's most active volcanoes, and perpetuate endemic Hawaiian ecosystems and the traditional Hawaiian culture connected to these landscapes.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is home to Kīlauea, which is widely considered one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. Unlike many volcanoes that have explosive, intermittent eruptions, Kīlauea has been in a state of nearly continuous activity for decades, often featuring stunning lava lakes or slow-moving "pahoehoe" lava flows that reach the sea. The park also encompasses Mauna Loa, the world's largest active subaerial volcano, which most recently erupted in late 2022. Because of this constant geological activity, the park is a living laboratory where visitors can see new land being created in real-time. Another strong contender is Volcanes de Ischigualasto (or similar parks in Indonesia/Iceland), but for consistent, accessible volcanic activity within a protected park system, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is the global gold standard. The park is open 24 hours a day, allowing visitors to witness the glowing crater at night, which is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the National Park System.