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Kilauea Iki Trail click pictures for larger views; click browser BACK button to return here
Crossing the ridge reveals the Kilauea Iki Crater. Without clouds it would have been more spectacular. This crater was created in 1959 when eruptions, for 37 days, filled the valley with lava 390 feet deep. At times the eruption fountain was 1900 feet tall.	In the crater there are very clear indications of the lava level as it filled the valley during the eruption.
While hiking across the caldera on the Kilauea Iki Trail, there are many smoking sulfur vents.	Leaving the caldera floor and connecting with Crater Rim Trail. The rain forest is particularly dense, but the trail is well maintained.
As the trail approaches the road, it gets more civilized and has hand rails and is wider. Here the trail passes a very nice clutch of flora.	Just ahead is the Kilauea Iki Lookout.
And this is the view from Kilauea Iki Lookout. The line running through the caldera from upper right to lower left is the Kilauea Iki Trail we just hiked. To put things in perspective, this crater is a mile long and 3000 feet wide.

Thurston Lava click pictures for larger views; click browser BACK button to return here
The entrance to Thurston Lava Tube. This is the largest lava tube I saw on the islands.	Inside, looking back at the entrance
Inside looking at the exit.	This part of Thurston Lava Tube is about 2 blocks long. There are low wattage lights on the walls. There are puddles of water on the floor and dripping water from the ceiling. Be prepared. At the exit is the entrance to the 900 foot unexplored part of Thurston Lava Tube. This part has no lights, so bring flashlights. Also the ceiling is only 5 feet high at some places.

Manuna Ulu trail, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii click pictures for larger views; click browser BACK button to return here
This trail has some of the newest lava flows on the island. There are numerous areas like this where the crust has fallen in.
The lava still looks like it is flowing, but it is really cooled. At least on the surface.
Java support needed. Please upgrade your browser to see the 360 degree panorama. This is just the beginning of the trail, and the lava almost covered the entire area. Further along the trail all you would see was continuous lava flow, from horizon to horizon. The caldera ridges are over the horizon and cannot be seen from the center. This quickly creates a sense of awe that is hard to describe. (clicking Right or Left edge starts rotation) click here for larger view
Some places the crust has broken though to a lava tube. Some of these lava tubes are very fresh.	A short hike (1/4 mile) up a small hill to Mauloa O Mauna Ulu lookout rewards you with a grand view. On the horizon is Napa Volcano spouting smoke, during the current eruption.
This is Mauloa O Mauna Ulu.	This is the information sign at the lookout. There are also several sitting benches at the lookout. But no shade.

Ahalanui Beach Park click pictures for larger views; click browser BACK button to return here
	The pool is created by ocean break walls. You can see one set of several entry stairs at the right of the photo. The ocean and the warm springs mix in the pool to create a water temperature of about 75 degrees. It is about 5 feet deep.