Nahuku - Hawai'i Volcanoes NP

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a pretty cool place. Not only because there could be lava flowing somewhere, but also because it goes from lush forest, and volcanic craters, to cliffs with crashing waves.

On our first trip to the Big Island, back in 2007, we spent a full day and a bit more in the park, and it’s definitely worth the time to explore it. There are some great hikes along with the Chain of Craters Road drive. And if there’s lava flowing, that would be really exciting, but we keep missing it.

After the 2018 eruption, areas of the park are still just opening up and in February 2020, the Nahuku lava tube reopened (it was closed in May 2018 after an earthquake and is closed as I write this due to Covid-19). Fortunately, our timing was good, and in early March 2020, we had a chance to take a walk through the lava tube while it was open.

It’s a popular hike, because it’s short, easily accessible, and paved (although there are stairs at one end). Since parking is limited, we parked at the Kilauea Iki trailhead and walked over to the lava tube.

This is really the best way to go, because the walk is not that long and there are great views over Kilauea Iki Crater and lush and a pretty forest full of tree ferns along the trail.

And then the opening to the lava tube emerges among the ferns.

The lava tube is lit for most of the day, making it easy to walk through or you could go when it is dark with a flashlight.

The floor is pretty flat and smooth, which makes the walk very easy.

Because it was closed for so long, roots from the trees above grew into the lava tube and were dangling from the ceiling when we visited. I’m not sure how long they will continue to grow as people walk through, but it’s cool to see for the moment. The lava tube is not a long walk and is about a 1.5 mile round trip walk from the Kilauea Iki trailhead parking lot.