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Top 10 Attractions
Hawaii Volcano National Park
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Volcanos have formed the Hawaiian islands over the past 70 million years, starting with Kauai. As the Pacific plate has slowly moved north-west like a conveyor belt, a chain of volcanic craters has been created above the hot spot connecting the stationary magma chamber beneath the earths mantle. At present, this magma connects in two places - beneath Kilauea Caldera on the Big Island of Hawaii, and some 50 miles to the west at a subterranean volcano called Loihi which is expected to emerge from the sea in 10,000 years.
The Hawaii Volcano National Park on the south coast of the Big Island is Hawaii's most unique attraction. Here you'll find the Kilauea Caldera which has been oozing hot lava continually since 1983 making it the most active volcano on earth. Very rarely does the kilauea volcano erupt in spectacular fashion and don't be misled by some of the impressive hawaii volcano pictures you might come across - you are extremely unlikely to see such a display. Instead, Kilauea volcano oozes very slowly from the caldera towards the sea. Predicting its path is impossible - sometimes the lava flow will be very close to the accessible Chain of Craters Road - in parts this road has been eaten up by a lava flow - sometimes the flow will be nearing or even spilling into the sea with impressive after effects - at other times you may have to walk for two hours across the bleak and glass like lava rock and then hike 700 metres into the hills to see the edge of the flow - this is the way of nature. When you do reach the edge of the lava flow, what you will see is a slow trickle and perhaps a small bubble of red hot lava forming bizarre patterns as it cools. If you can bear the unbelievable heat, you can walk right up to the flow, and in parts where it has cooled, you can walk over it knowing that just inches below is the essence of all things created. This is the power of Kilauea - not in any spectacular form but in a deeper appreciation of beauty. If you are to explore the lava flows, it is highly recommended to take a walking tour with Arnott's Hiking - they offer the only supervised hike to the edge of the lava flow and have been doing so for over four years - however placid the lava might appear, this is a dangerous region.
Apart from exploring the lava flow itself, Hawaii Volcano National Park maintains more than 150 miles of trail exploring the legacy of past lava flows including craters, first generation vegetation, sea-arches, lava tubes and black beaches. Outside the Park entrance at an elevation of 4,000 feet is Hawaii Volcano Village with a handful of lovely country inns and guesthouses. If you plan to spend the night in Volcano, make sure you bring some warm clothes, especially in winter.
Hawaii Tour Companies
Hawaii Resort Listings
Our top 10 scenic attractions in Hawaii are:
1) Na Pali Coast - KAUAI
dramatic coastline; hiking; scenic beaches
2) Volcano National Park - BIG ISLAND
lava flows; volcanic crater; trails; flora - 1 day minimum
3) Waikiki Beach - OAHU
world famous activity beach and shopping
4) Whale Watching - MAUI
Nov-May; calving late Jan-Mar; excellent viewing from coast
5) Archaeological Sites - BIG ISLAND,
stone foundations; temples; petroglyphs; Captain Cook memorial
6) Historical Lahaina Town - MAUI
charming seaside town; art galleries; restaurants
7) Pearl Harbor - OAHU
historical world war two site and USS Arizona War Memorial
8) Waimea Canyon - KAUI
unusual rock formations, large canyons and walking tracks
9) Waipio Valley - BIG ISLAND
hidden valley of yester-year with taro fields and horse drawn carts
10) Oahu Scenic Coastal Drive - OAHU
blowholes, snorkelling and scenic beaches
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Tours - Top 10 Attractions
Fiji Tours - Top 10 Attractions
Samoa Tours - Top 10 Attractions
Tonga Tours - Top 10 Attractions
Tahiti Tours - Top 10 Attractions
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