> First of all, let me tell you that the Big Island of HI and Honolulu, Oahu, HI are two different island. While the Big Island is bigger as the title suggests, it is the younger brother island of Oahu. Honolulu is both a city and a county in HI. I didn’t know that until our trip.
> So we jumped on the opportunity to check out the Big Island while in HI. The choice was either Maui or Big Island and volcanoes seemed more interesting than beaches.
> Our travel agent CSL arranged everything – Hilo Seaside Hotel, Hawaiian Air RT and Budget car rental. We just shouldered the bill. The arrangement was so convenient. Thanks mother!
> The 45 minute drive from Hilo International Airport to Volcano National Park was a bit challenging. Try driving in a new area with 10 to 15 feet visibility due to the rain and an unfamiliar car. We wanted to get a Toyota, Honda or Subaru for less adjustments but none were available.
> Volcano Lodge – a renovated old house served as a souvenir shop. It was one of the many souvenir shops in the HI Volcano National Park.
> Steam vents – Sulfur vents abound in this active volcano. It didn’t smell good but at least we know that our sense of smell was perfectly fine.
> Kilauea lookout – So this is what an active volcano looks like. We were about a little over a kilometer near the crater.
> Kilauea Military Zone – The theatre in the military camp is interesting.
> Jaggar Museum – Named after American Volcanologist Thomas Jaggar. He founded the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
> Mauna Loa lookout – The sky was not clear that day so the largest volcano on Earth in terms of volume and area covered volcano was not really visible.
> Thurston Lava Tube – Named after Lorrin Thurston, a local newspaper publisher, this lava tube was discovered in 1913.
> Chain of Craters Road – Lots of interesting things to see along the 23 mile road – actual lava flows through the ocean, roads covered numerous times by lava, a number of craters.
> Holei Sea Arch – a beauty carved by nature.
> Mauna Loa factory – This is where they make the produce and manufacture the Mauna Loa macadamia nuts. The company is owned by Hershey’s.
REFERENCE:
Pls. click here to view the video.
