August 2009 Kilauea Volcano, Big Island Updates

Summary: Nothing new is going on with the volcano right now. There are steam and ash plumes to be seen at the ocean and the summit.

Here's what's going on with the volcano. I will only update this post before September if anything major changes.

Up at the summit, within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, there is an eruption with the Halemaumau Crater. It is easily seen from the Jaggar museum. All that can currently be seen is a large smoke plume which looks like this.

At the ocean, another smoke plume can be seen from lava entering the ocean from Kilauea Vent. Sometimes glow and lava can also be seen entering the ocean. Occasionally lava breakouts can occur on land and can be seen from some distance away, although the longer the eruption continues over the same path, the less likely this is (because it ends up traveling through underground tubes mostly) and right now this seems quite unlikely, although things can change in an instant.

To see the activity at the ocean, you'll need to drive down to the county access road (directions), park, and then hike in to the viewing area.

The hike is over old lava and could be a mile or more. The viewing area is 3/4s of a mile away from the actual activity for safety reasons. Bring flashlights and water, wear jeans and rugged, closed shoes.

Call 808-985-6000 for daily updates from the national park. See the county site on the lava access road for safety and closure information.

For an adventure, consider seeing it by boat

Kilauea - Big Island Lava Flow Directions, Puna or County Side

To get to the lava flow from the county or Puna side of it, here's the directions:

From Kona, get to Hilo or Volcano Village by your desired road, then follow directions below. Going Waimea way or going Volcano Village way will both take about the same amount of time. Waimea way is an easier drive. Volcano Village way is not a hard drive but there are plenty of curves in the early part of it. If you go volcano village way you could make a stop at Punaluu Black sand beach if you wanted to.

From Volcano Village, come down Hwy 11, and turn right on Hwy 130 in the Keaau area. From Hilo, go up Hwy 11, and turn left on Hwy 130 in the Keaau area.

Follow Highway 130 to the very end - don't make the left to go to Kalapana, just follow it to the barricades and that is where the new road, which is just a gravel, bulldozed road, is.

This will take about 30 - 35 minutes from Keaau.

The county road is typically open from 5 to 10, with the last car allowed in at 8. Wear jeans and closed, rugged shoes (if you fall down the old lava will tear up exposed skin). Bring a flashlight. Bring water. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Here's a post with pictures from the last time I went out. That was when the surface flows just started on this side again, so there won't typically be that many people unless something exciting happens.

Here's the County Website on this road. Click through to their FAQ to see the current complete data on opening and closing times and safety.