Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano

[konakathy]

For the first time in three years the lava flow from Kileau has reached the ocean. The 6.5 mile-long lava flow has been oozing down the south flank of Kileau since May and reached the Pacific Ocean at the beginning of August attracting thousands of visitors.

You can either hike out (12 mile RT) to the delta edge and view the many rivers of lava entering the ocean or take a boat tour and get up close and personal. I chose to take a sunrise boat tour with some friends visiting from WA. It was a most thrilling and once in a lifetime must see activity I have experienced so far. We probably were 50 yards from the rivers flowing. The heat was intense! Watching the lava ooze into the ocean created explosions sending molten rocks flying and creating plumes of steam. It was nothing short of awesome!

Enjoy the slideshow and video I made. If you're planning a visit to the Big Island in the near future make sure to schedule a boat tour. You won't be disappointed. Aloha.

 

[konakathy]

Another video I took before sunrise. You can really see the glow of the lava. My friend and her daughter were absolutely in awe, as you will hear. My friends daughter is deaf and she was a little frightened at first when we got close to the shore. Her mom was trying to sign to her that the captain knew what he was doing and not to worry.
I was a bit concerned at times that a swell was going to wash us into the lava, but the captain was in charge.

 

[k0nkuzh0n]

That's incredible, thanks for sharing the videos!

I wonder if they have classes on how to be a lava tour guide :laugh:

What did it smell like??

 

[nnuut]

I don't mess around with Lava, mother nature can be unpredictable!

 

[Stoplight]

That's AWESOME !!! Thanks for posting, Kona...nicely done !

Hmmmm...Let's see...a 12 mile hike, or a nice boat ride...

Sign me up for the boat ride !!!


Stoplight...

 

[konakathy]

Kon - No, there was no smell surprisingly and I don't think they offer classes for lava tour guide.
DNLR only granted 5 permits to Captains with the proper creds and they need to be insured up the ying yang to offer boat tours. It would be a madhouse and dangerous if everyone with a boat cruised around the flow. Lava Ocean Tours, which I took, has a boat that seats approx. 50 people and the other 4 are chartered fishing boats that can seat up to 8. At $200 a pop these lucky 5 permit holders are raking in the money thanks to Madam Pele. They've scheduled 5-6 tours a day since the beginning of August! Do the math!

Stoplight - Believe me! You DON'T want to be walking out on that lava field in the heat and on an unsteady trail. Some of these crazy people will walk out before/after sunrise/sunset with flashlights. Many have been hurt. I'm not that adventurous!

Now that Kailua-Kona is gearing up to host the World Champion Ironman Triathlon in a few weeks, (up to 20,000 people expected) the tour guides will REALLY be busy. *cha-ching*