The `Ohana Experience is what you'll feel at KMC. Start the morning off with a hike within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, or discover Hilo Town, take a helicopter tour over the park, discover island water falls at Akaka or Rainbow, or head to the west side of the island for a luau, manta ray night snorkeling or a dolphin snorkel swim.
Visiting the park by car is easy to do. The two main roads visitors will travel are Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road. All roads in the park are two-wheel drive roadways and do not require four-wheel drive vehicles.
Hours of Operation: Monday - Sunday 9am - 5pm*
Kīlauea Visitor Center is often a great first stop when entering the park. Rangers and volunteers are on duty daily to provide visitors with the latest information on the current conditions, hiking information, things to do and the daily schedule of ranger-led activities.
*(Hours are subject to change due to COVID-19, volcanic eruption events, volcanic gasses, and staffing.)
Kīlauea Iki looks fairly tranquil these days. But, in 1959 it was a seething lava lake, with lava fountains up to 1,900 feet. From up here it is difficult to comprehend the scale of Kīlauea Iki. The crater is a mile long, 3,000 feet across, and the floor is 400 feet below the overlook.
Two ways to explore Kilauea Iki:
Stroll on a paved path through a starkly beautiful recovering landscape that was buried by falling cinder from the spectacular lava fountains of the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption.
Witness life returning to this once devastated area.
Ground water seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks in this area and returns to the surface as steam. While standing at the Steam Vents, take a good look around. The area between the caldera's edge and outer cliffs of Kīlauea Caldera is a treeless plain. The ground just a few feet down is so hot that tree roots can not survive. But shallow-rooted grasses and plants grow here.
Volcano Art Center (VAC) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) educational organization founded in 1974 by a band of eclectic and energetic artists. Today, Volcano Art Center continues to operate a successful fine arts gallery showcasing handcrafted artworks by over 230 local artists, as well as developing and offering programs for residents, keiki (children) and visitors alike, including the award-winning Na Mea Hawai`i Hula Kahiko performance series at the kahua hula in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
CLICK HERE to visit the Volcano Art Center's website.
Due to underground heat, this dramatic volcanic thermal area has very few trees. Known as Ha'akulamanu, this unusual place, with steaming cracks and colorful mineral deposits, has been famous for birds and healing vapors.
Get up-close-and-personal with the volcanic terrain on a short hike or walk. There are hikes for all skill levels.