You are here: Home - Hawaii Travel Ezine - #47 Where to Stay to Explore the Volcano
Where to Stay to Explore the VolcanoThe and Hawaii ... Travel Ezine, dated 02/01/02, by Lisa Weber
-------------------------- In this Issue -------------------------- 01. Title Article - Where to Stay to Explore the Volcano 02. Travel deals - cruise, waikiki package, airfare, car rental 03. Hawaiian Word - opu 04. Hawaiian article - Airportparkinglots.com 05. Featured Website - Myhawaiionline.com 06. Featured Links - Aloha everyone, permanent shark warning signs may be going up at Olowalu Beach on Maui - for the first time on any Hawaiian beach. This is because there have been three shark attacks (one fatal) at this beach in the last 12 years. The plan is receiving mixed reactions, opponents saying the signs would unfairly brand the beach as more dangerous than others, while supporters are saying it would make people be more cautious. More info 01. Where to Stay to Explore the VolcanoThe Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island is a 45 minute drive from Hilo, and over a 2 hour drive from Kailua- Kona, while the Kalapana Lava Viewing Area is a three hour dirve from Kailua-Kona (still 45 minutes from Hilo) making both difficult areas to explore in one day for people who are planning on staying in one of the typical visitor hubs. Today I will outline lodging options closer to both areas - depending on how much of the volcano you want to explore, one or two nights in these areas is sufficient for most people.First, let's be clear on exactly where the National Park and the Kalapana Lava Viewing Area are. Active lava viewing used to be best from within the National Park, but now it is most easily seen from the other side of the flow at the Kalapana Safe Lava Viewing area, a 40 minute drive from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Entrance. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: the only entrance is located near the 28 mile marker on Highway 11 - between Pahala and Volcano. Kalapana Safe Lava Viewing Area: Located at the dead end of Highway 130 near Kalapana. I've made a general map of the Big Island to help you visualize this:  For those of you who aren't familiar with Hawaii County's Kalapana Safe Lava Viewing Project, read about it here: and also notice that the lava flow has currently stopped (as of yesterday)- but this happens frequently, and I doubt it is permanent. So, on to where to stay: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has one lodging choice within the park - the Volcano House. It is located on the rim of Kilauea Caldera, and provides great views of the crater. (Kilauea Caldera does not currently have any active lava activity) The Volcano House has recently been renovated, and if you are thinking of staying here, try to get a room that has been renovated - as it is an older building. If you are military, or part of an Elderhostel or other sponsored group, you may also be able to stay at Kilauea Military Camp. Nearby lodging outside of the park entrance is available in Volcano Village, Volcano Golf Course, Mauna Loa Estates, and Ohia Estates. All of these areas are within a 10 minute drive to the entrance - there are no hotels in these small towns, but plenty of vacation rentals and bed and breakfasts. I would recommend Volcano Village because it is the only town with stores and restaurants, and it really is a nice area, but the other towns are close to Volcano Village and probably offer cheaper rates. -- Volcano Village Lodging:
-- Mauna Loa Estates Lodging:-- Volcano Golf Course Lodging:-- Volcano Area Lodging Directories:You also will not find any hotels in the area of the Kalapana viewing area, but again, there are plenty of vacation rentals and bed and breakfasts. Nearby areas (within 25 minutes away) are Pahoa, Kalapana Seaview, Kehena, Pohoiki, Kapoho, and Leilani Estates.-- Kapoho Lodging:-- Kehena Lodging:-- Leilani Estates Lodging:-- Kalapana Lodging:Please realize that anything near the entrance to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will be at an elevation of almost 4000 feet, so it will be cold - and most of that area is rain forest, so it will rain.Also, anything near the Kalapana Viewing area may say it is ocean-front, but there is only one actual beach in the area and that is Kehena Beach - it is a black sand beach you have to hike down to, in a secluded area (sometimes people don't wear clothes) with frequent dangerous riptides - so it is not an ideal beach for people who want to swim/snorkel. Kehena Beach does get more than it's fair share of vists from dolphins, though. Kapoho area has no real beaches, but it does have good ocean access and decent snorkeling/kayaking when the waves are not high. Above all, have a good time! Issue Sponsor
02. ---Internet Travel Deals Watch---** check the web sites for details and restrictions-- 11 day Hawaiian Islands Cruise from $899 -- -- United Vacations save $200 per couple deal -- -- Waikiki air package deals - Los Angeles to Waikiki 6 nights from $399 -- -- Alamo car rentals from $23 a day -- Issue Sponsor
03. ---Hawaiian Word of the Week---opu - (oh poo) - belly, stomachA very frequently used word peppered into english 04. ---Hawaiian Article/Information Watch---Airportparkinglots.comNot a Hawaii site, but probably very useful for those of you flying in from large airports - reserve your parking slot before you ever get there. 05. --- Hawaiian Website Watch ---My Hawaii OnlineVisitor info, news, job, and relocation information. 06. --- Featured Links ---Alii Villas #311Ocean-view condo, near Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island Paniolo Hale Lodging Comfortable, inexpensive lodging on Molokai Kona Makai #5-104 Ocean-view condo in Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island ALOHAGOODIES.COM Treats, gifts, and snacks from Hawaii BeanTeacher.com Aloha Shirts for the Hawaiian at heart. Aloha Kauai Tours Land and water tours on Kauai Ho'okipa Hale Vacation Rentals Affordable Maui rooms, apartment, and cottage SeaFun Kauai Half day, guided, shore based, Kauai snorkel tour Tessie's Place Inexpensive vacation rental in Princeville, Kauai Captain Cook Resorts Vacation Rentals on all the islands Have a story or a question you'd like to share? E-mail me at ezine@andhawaii.com . Until next week, Lisa. http://www.andhawaii.com Disclaimer: This ezine is for informational purposes only. Please consult the appropriate professionals for more information. Copyright (c) 2001. All Rights Reserved. |
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