Kalapana
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Kalapana
[NOTICE: The Kalapana Lava Viewing Area is currently closed to the public. Please call (808) 430-1966 to hear a recorded message with the latest update.]
What: Town partially destroyed by lava, now a volcano-viewing site
Where: At the end of Hwy 130 in Puna
In the Puna District, in 1990, lava from Kīlauea volcano engulfed Kalapana, a historic Hawaiian fishing village and residential area, as well as the famous black sand beach at Kaimū. Pele, the volcano goddess, also destroyed Hawaiʻi’s oldest heiau (temple), two subdivisions and several miles of public highway. No lives were lost, but 182 homes were swallowed by lava. A visit to Kalapana is a sobering reminder of the raw power of Pele.
The Kalapana lava viewing site is located at the end of Highway 130 in Puna. The round-trip 6-mile hike can take up to three hours depending on current conditions and demarcations so please be prepared with sturdy footwear, proper attire, sunscreen, a flashlight as well as food and plenty of water. The viewing area is normally open daily from 3 to 9 p.m., with the last car permitted into the parking area at 8:30 p.m. Cell phone coverage may be spotty in areas.
Hawaiʻi County officials remind visitors to please respect private property and the rights of local residents and not leave trash behind. Restroom facilities are limited and lack running water.
Be safe and respectful of the Hawaiian culture, and help to protect our island’s natural and cultural resources. Many believe that lava is the kinolau, or physical embodiment, of volcano goddess Pele. Therefore, poking lava with sticks or throwing/placing things in or above the lava flow to watch them burn is considered not only culturally disrespectful, but it is also against federal law. Pets and unmanned aerial systems, or drones, are also prohibited on the flow field in the national park.
Visitors on foot must obey all warning signs and are required to stay within permitted areas for safety purposes. Newly formed land areas are extremely unstable, and could collapse into the ocean at any time. There is also the threat of acidic laze, a hazardous chemical reaction of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and seawater, that occurs when the extreme heat of the lava enters the sea, rapidly boils and vaporizes the seawater into visible white plumes.
What: Town partially destroyed by lava, now a volcano-viewing site
Where: At the end of Hwy 130 in Puna
In the Puna District, in 1990, lava from Kīlauea volcano engulfed Kalapana, a historic Hawaiian fishing village and residential area, as well as the famous black sand beach at Kaimū. Pele, the volcano goddess, also destroyed Hawaiʻi’s oldest heiau (temple), two subdivisions and several miles of public highway. No lives were lost, but 182 homes were swallowed by lava. A visit to Kalapana is a sobering reminder of the raw power of Pele.
The Kalapana lava viewing site is located at the end of Highway 130 in Puna. The round-trip 6-mile hike can take up to three hours depending on current conditions and demarcations so please be prepared with sturdy footwear, proper attire, sunscreen, a flashlight as well as food and plenty of water. The viewing area is normally open daily from 3 to 9 p.m., with the last car permitted into the parking area at 8:30 p.m. Cell phone coverage may be spotty in areas.
Hawaiʻi County officials remind visitors to please respect private property and the rights of local residents and not leave trash behind. Restroom facilities are limited and lack running water.
Be safe and respectful of the Hawaiian culture, and help to protect our island’s natural and cultural resources. Many believe that lava is the kinolau, or physical embodiment, of volcano goddess Pele. Therefore, poking lava with sticks or throwing/placing things in or above the lava flow to watch them burn is considered not only culturally disrespectful, but it is also against federal law. Pets and unmanned aerial systems, or drones, are also prohibited on the flow field in the national park.
Visitors on foot must obey all warning signs and are required to stay within permitted areas for safety purposes. Newly formed land areas are extremely unstable, and could collapse into the ocean at any time. There is also the threat of acidic laze, a hazardous chemical reaction of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and seawater, that occurs when the extreme heat of the lava enters the sea, rapidly boils and vaporizes the seawater into visible white plumes.