Hawai equals beaches, sun, volcanoes, lava, tourism, travel and more. Located on Oahu, less than an hour’s drive from Honolulu, is the Polynesian Cultural Center. Through music, dance, craft demonstrations, and games, the center portrays the culture and daily life of the Polynesian islanders in Hawaii, Tahiti, the Marquesas Islands, Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji, as well as that of the Maoris in New Zealand. The center is divided into sections representing each of these locations. Many of the performers come from the islands that they represent, providing a high degree of authenticity. Visitors can tour the facility during the day or see a show in the evening.
Kilauea is sometimes called “the world’s only drive-in volcano.” This prolific volcano produces 250,000-650,000 cubic yards of lava per day-enough to resurface a 20-mile-long, two-lane road each day. As of January 1994, 875 acres of new land have been created on the island of Hawaii. Many locals say that Pele, the volcano goddess who lives here, is very unpredictable. The extraordinary natural diversity of the park was recognized in 1980 when it was named a World Biosphere Site by UNESCO and in 1987 when the park was honored as a World Heritage Site. Crater Rim Drive is the 10.6-mile drive that circles Kilauea Caldera. Driving around this loop will take you to the park’s main attractions: the Kilauea overlook, Devastation Trail and Kilauea Iki Crater Overlook.
Even with the destruction of over 700 homes, reports of injuries by lava bombs spewing from Kilauea, and ongoing eruptions and lava flows, this island of Hawaii, in general, still remains safe for travelers if they take the proper precautions. Boat tours, cruise lines, and airlines have modified their schedules and routes when necessary. Visitors are cautioned to stay abreast of news about the active Kilauea volcano and be ready to avoid affected areas.
Get access to basic information on the islands, from weather to where to stay, for free! Each of the categories has select free sections so you get a sneak peek at what the full package will include. More on Big Island Current Lava Flow. “The directions are so thorough. You’ll always find the best scenic drives and hole in the wall restaurants that will make your trip unforgettable. The maps lead you straight to where you want to go with exact instructions! My trip wouldn’t have been half as good without this app.”
Mauna Loa is an active volcano and is due for an eruption. Mauna Loa has erupted 15 times since 1900. These eruptions have lasted from a few hours to 145 days. Since 1950 Mauna Loa has erupted only twice, in 1975 and 1984. The 1975 eruption lasted 1 day. The 1984 eruption lasted 3 weeks. Nearly all the eruptions begin at the summit. About half of these migrate down into a rift zone.