So close yet so far - Hawaii Volcano
October 20th, 2021, the day started with the excitement of being able to see lava flowing from an active volcano currently bubbling in Hawaii Volcano National Park and perfect weather for a photo opp. But as soon as we (my husband and I) reached the entrance, that perfect weather turned into not so perfect and I became a little less hopeful about taking photos in bright daylight, but nonetheless, we went straight to the famous viewing spot in the park. What kept the excitement going was the steam and fumes we could see so clearly from the crater on the way to the viewpoint and as soon as I reached it there it was, white smoke coming out from a huge crater at a good distance from me. Yes, nothing but smoke, no lava, no orange spew bubbling out. All the excitement went down the drain and we realized that the lava left from last month's eruption is not enough now that can be viewed from the park unless you have an aerial view. So the plan for photography was put on hold for the day.
Though the photo plans were on pause, we went on exploring other amazing trails and spots in the park like a lava tube tunnel and a crater, and then checked out different overlooks and short hikes,. which was all very fun and exciting. Soon we realized we had ample time to go see the Holei Sea Arch, which is a 90ft high arch created by a lava flow roughly 550 years ago located off of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park’s Chain of Craters Road. It was about a 40-minute drive from the park to the arch and it was a very creepily scenic drive. Let me describe something about the terrain of some parts of the big island; it is a dark, black solidified lava flow, which even though solid looks like it will be gooey on touch and will ooze molten lava anytime, maybe because of how the ridges, ripples of the flow are clearly visible on the surface. It made me feel like I am in an apocalyptic place, but instead of just feeling creepy and extraterrestrial it felt more like a beautiful and jaw-dropping work of nature. We stopped along the drive at some vista points, but the wind was so crazy that we could barely stand for more than a couple of minutes. Before we could reach our destinations we got a flat tire and three good samaritans stopped to help and soon enough we were able to get back on the road.
Halemaʻumaʻu crater lava flow
On our way back up we saw a lot of people coming back from a hike (Keanakākoʻi crater viewpoint) which we decided was not worth it for us because it was supposed to be intense and I was still recovering from a sprained ankle. But we asked people around how the experience was and they all said that they saw the lava and this hike was worth it. So we decided to go do the hike and if it got tough for me then I would stay back while my husband went on to see the lava flow. To be honest it was not that intense of a hike. It was a paved road mostly and a little loose sandy rock at the end of the trail from where you can view the crater. You just have to be mindful of the yellow jackets flying around on the way, which may sting you if you try to swat them away. Halfway into the hike, my foot started to feel the brunt of so much walking from the day and I was almost about to give up when I heard some people talking on their way back that the sight was spectacular and my husband's support kept me going further and when we reached it was SPECTACULAR. Never in my life have I felt so intrigued by nature and excited by the fact that I am looking in reality and not just in videos or documentaries the actual lava flow. There it was (in the distance, of course) the bright orange, oozing lava surrounded by the white fumes coming out of the crater. It felt so unreal, I quickly got my camera out despite the fact that it's too bright to get some shots and did my best to freeze this moment. I stood still and absorbed the whole scenery before we started to head back with a big smile on my face and dead legs. And we became the ones telling people to definitely go check out the lava, the hike is well worth it.
Halemaʻumaʻu night glow
We decided to go to the only restaurant/lodging in the park, the Volcano House hotel to grab some food and enjoy the pink hue sunset over the crater. I was sitting there looking at pictures in my camera thinking I wish I had the long zoom lens for close up shots of lava and I wish I had the stamina to do the hike again in the dark the same day to capture night shots when a tap on my shoulder interrupted me to look up at the orange glow of lava in the crater at night from Volcano House. It was beautiful, peaceful, star-studded and so satisfying. We sat there absorbing the whole view and soon after with our tired bodies and happy hearts we started heading back to our Airbnb making a promise that we will come to the big island again whenever the next eruption happens to see it all during the day and night prepared with camera gear and ample time to witness nature’s beauty since this time we were so close yet so far.
P.S. While on a big island, I was very fascinated by volcanoes and did some digging online to learn the history/geography of volcanoes across all Hawaiian islands. If you are interested in learning about it below are some of the cool reads I found.
The fascinating history of Mauna Kea - The mountain behind the controversy