Sea Entry of Lava - Kalapana Side (Big Island, Hawaii)

Back in October 2001 we were staying at Arnott’s Lodge in Hilo on the Big Island. This location made it possible to explore the entire eastern side of this island. Although we did not get to see “everything”, we certainly were able to see plenty more than had we driven all the way from Kona. Just on a whim, we decided to drive Hwy 130, which hugs the southern coast, from Hilo to its Pele-induced end just below Kalapana. To our amazement, we found that there was access to the surface flows from this side of the island. We had to pay to park and then hike about a mile over the lava fields. Once there, we had a wonderful view of the lava entering the sea. What I found interesting was that there were more warning signs, barriers, and people guarding the barriers here than we found inside Volcanoes National Park when we hiked to the surface flows there. Anyway, this particular flow was outside of HVNP’s boundaries and, therefore, outside their control.

Related posts:

1. Big Island, Hawaii 2009. Lava at the ocean entry point at Kilauea
2. Big Island Hawaii. Part 43. I See The Lava.
3. High Surf Advisory - March 2-4, 2009 - East Side Big Island Hawaii
4. Big Island Volcano Tours: More Than Just Lava Flows And Destruction
5. Hawaii Real Estate: Why is the grass greener on the other side of the island?