Volcanoes National Park part 2

I left off 1/2 way through our 2nd day on the Big Island.  We are quickly learning just how very big it is as we drive to cram in as much as possible before we fly to Kauai on Monday morning.  

After we saw the caldera from the Volcano House yesterday we drove the Chain of Craters Road which takes you from the caldera all the way to the ocean.  It’s amazing to drive through a lava field and to see where the lava flowed down and formed a new coastline back in 1983. 




The black is all recent lava flows from the 70s. 

We also got to see the two different types of lava. A’a and pahoehoe.  Pahoehoe is the smooth lava and a’a is the chunky, crumbly, piled up lava.  






Close up view of the lava types. 


The Holei Sea Arch


The sea arch from the other side. 


Amazing how plants grow out of the cracks in the lava. 


Pele in the lava field. 


A painting of Pele at the Jagger Museum


The boys are about to be taken over by lava!  This was a section of the old Chain of Craters Road that was overtaken by lava!

We made it back up to Kīlauea after dark and had dinner at the volcano house looking out at the red smoke coming off the crater. 


S’mores in our cabin. 

Today we went back into Hilo and went to several scenic spots (pictures and descriptions below!).  We also walked around town and did a little shopping. The town is super cute and everyone we encountered was nice!  We chatted up several aunties and uncles and got lots of advice on places to visit. 


Liliuokalani  Gardens


Liliuokalani  Gardens 


Tsunami Museum (we didn’t make it in)




The NOAA museum had beautiful displays.  It is horrifying how much trash washes up on Hawaii from all over the Pacific, especially plastic. 




The Naha Stone (and our Jeep!) 


The Hilo Public library. I’ll confess we ran in to use the bathroom but then discovered it had this beautiful courtyard. The Naha Stone was right in front of the library. 


Rainbow Falls


Ted and the boys visited Kaumana Caves.  I guarded the car lol. I’m claustrophobic so I chickened out on going in the caves. 






This is why I didn’t go!


The boys called this “chocolate”



Well this gets me 1/2 way through today and it’s technically tomorrow (it’s almost 1 am) so I think everyone will have to wait to read about the rest of our day 3 adventures so I can sleep!  Aloha!!





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