Hawaii’s Big Island is a lunar-like landscape of black volcanic rock paired with romantically swaying palm fronds and vibrant pops of color in the form of birds, flowers, and the sprawling expanse of deep blue and sparkling turquoise shallows of the Pacific Ocean surrounding this sacred, isolated place. Getting there from New York City back in January 2022 was no easy feat, but it ended up being well worth the journey (and the unexpected overnight layover in Seattle). We stayed with a relative near Kona, HI for an incredible couple of days around the New Year’s holiday. While we were there, I went snorkeling for the first time (and probably last time; but it was well worth the anxiety it cause me because I got to meet an octopus, and Dillon saw a sea turtle), and we also ate tons of poké and other deliciously fresh seafood, enjoyed the sea breeze and sun, and checked another National Park off of our growing list: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
The drive to and from the park was beautiful. I recommend stopping at Punalu’u, the U.S.’s “southernmost bakery”, on your way to or from Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park if you find yourself in the neighborhood. It’s worth a detour even if it’s not along your route. Dillon got a breakfast sandwich with some of their amazing bread, and we also got some of their incredible fried dough Malasadas, which were perfectly sweet, light as a cloud, and ridiculously good.
Kīlauea, the shield volcano that is the heart and soul of this unique, lava-sculpted park, was not erupting while we were there, but it was still really amazing to see. We went in the daytime, but heard that it’s another world at night! Even in the daytime, however, it was cool to see. We hiked across open expanses of solidified lava fields and through vibrant swaths of tropical rainforest on the Kīlauea Iki Trail and ventured into the insanely cool Thurston Lava Tube. Hiking on the solidified black lava hardened felt like being on the moon or another planet. It was super interesting to see how the lava flows have changed the landscape.
After our hike we checked out some viewpoints along the Kīlauea rim. The steam vents at Steaming Bluff were particularly cool. They’re a warm reminder that you are literally standing at the mouth of a giant volcano!
We definitely recommend checking out this unique and fascinating National Park if you find yourself on Hawaii’s Big Island. It’s unlike any other parks we have been to. It’s also always changing depending on the volcano activity, so be sure to check the National Park Service’s website.
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