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Kalapana Lava
Flow
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PHOTOS |
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Click on a thumbnail to
see a larger version of the photo |
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OVERVIEW |
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The Kalapana
Lava Viewing Area in the Puna District on
Hawaii's Big Island is, as of December 2009,
the only place on land from which you may
see the current lava flows of Kilauea
volcano, including the place where lava
flows into the Pacific Ocean.
There is no admission charge, although once
you reach the beginning of the trail, you
will find a box for donations to help defray
costs.
The viewing area is open daily from 5:00
p.m. until 10:00 p.m., as long as conditions
remain safe for the public. Conditions can
change rapidly and the viewing area will be
closed should any changes occur that
threaten the safety of viewers.
A sign at the start of the trail warns
visitors to follow the marked trail. Failure
to do so is not only dangerous, but can lead
to your arrest.
The sign will also advise you about current
activity and viewing conditions. Will you
see lava flowing into the ocean? Will you
see lava flowing down the mountain? How far
from the viewing site is the place where
lava is flowing into the ocean? The activity
and conditions change daily.
From the parking area it is walk of between
one quarter to one mile across lava flows
that date to between 1986 and 1992. The
distance varies as the lava flow changes
direction.
The viewing area's name derives from the
name of the town of Kalapana which was
located nearby and which was destroyed by
lava flows of Kilauea in 1990. The lava
flows in this area are considered the
southeast rift zone of Kilauea.
The lava flow that is currently active in
this area began in 2007 and has been flowing
relatively steadily since with only a few
periods of inactivity. |
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DIRECTIONS |
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The
Kalapana Lava Viewing Area is located at the
end of Highway 130, about 32 miles or an
hour drive from the town of Hilo on the east
coast of Hawaii's Big Island. It is a little
over 40 miles and slightly over an hour
drive from the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park.
The easiest way to reach the Kalapana Lava
Viewing Area is to take Mamalahoa Highway
(Highway 11) until you reach the town of
Kea'au and look for signs for Highway 130.
The highway will be on your left if
traveling from Hilo and on your right if
traveling from Hawaii Volcanoes National
Park. From Kea'au follow Highway 130 until
the road ends and you see the Restricted
Access signs shown above.
Once you pass these signs you will drive
about a mile over a rough road to the
parking area where County employees will
direct you where to park. |
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