Its now been 28 years since Mt. Kilauea started erupting on the Big Island of Hawaii. Its east rift zone started erupting January 3rd 1983, and is still active today. Its presence is still strong having devastating two homes just last year in Kalapana Gardens. In 1990, Mt. Kilauea did its worst damage by destroying 104 homes in the same area.

Since January 1983, Kilauea has produced powerful and beautiful eruptions.

Within a week of the initial eruption, there were 200 ft spurts coming out of the cracks of the east rift zone. Hawaii consists of mostly shield volcanoes, which are named after their shield shaped craters, and fluid flows. Although not as explosive as volcanoes like Mt. St Helen’s, their slow moving lava flows are just as destructive. Kilauea’s first lava fountain was known as the Pu’u'O’o vent, erupting every 3-4weeks for 3 years, and destroying 16 homes in the Royal Gardens Subdivision. In 1986 a new vent was formed called Kupaianaha. The quiet effusion made lava ponds and caused lava tubes to flow lava all the way to the ocean. In 1990 Mt. Kilauea did its worst damaged when it buried the town of Kalapana. The destructive lava flows destroyed churches, homes and stores in the ancient Hawaiian village.

Kalapana, once known for it’s magnificent black sand beaches and treasured historical sites, has now been consumed by Kilauea, though some residents still live in the area, some without electricity or running water. Some of the residents believe they were spared by Pele, the Goddess of Fire, others believe it was sheer luck. Even just last year two more homes were destroyed in the area. Scientists do not know when Kilauea will stop erupting but most believe activity will never cease during our existence. That makes Big Island one of the most unique places in the world. It’s land mass is literally still growing, and has one of the longest lasting active volcanoes on record.

Hardened Lava Field with No Trespassing sign near Kalapana

January 2011 marks the 2nd annual “Volcano Awareness Month” on the Big Island. Hiking, group discussions, teacher workshops, and various other programs will be conducted all month to better understand and respect volcanoes. Come participate and see one of Hawaii’s most amazing attractions. Join Discover Hawaii Tours and witness the awe inspiring magic of Kilauea. See the evening lava flow at the Kalapana viewing area, where lava meets the ocean. It is an absolute must see when visiting Hawaii.

Read more: January 3rd 2011 Marked the 28th Anniversary of Mt. Kilauea Current Eruption

Those who have traveled to the Big Island with us on Tour 33 may be familiar with the legend of Pele. However, many are not made aware until they get there. At times her story is tragic, but the legend of Pele is one of the most strongly preserved legends in Hawaiian lore.

Born in Tahiti, her family consisted of six sisters and seven brothers born to Haumea, an ancient Earth goddess, and Kane Milohai, who was the creator of the sky, Earth, and upper Heavens. Though there are many variations of her legend and arrival to Hawaii, the most common is told that she was exiled by her father because of her temper and her most recent fight with her elder water-goddess sister Na-maka-o-Kaha’i, whose husband Pele seduced. Traveling with her brothers in a great canoe, with her angry sister in pursuit, Pele eventually landed in Hawaii.

Painting Depicting Pele and her volcanic home

When first arriving to Hawaii, Pele landed on Kauai and used her Pa’oa, commonly known as a digging stick, to strike deep into the Earth, until she was found and attacked by her betrayed sister. Pele left her mark on the island of Molokai before traveling further southeast to Maui and creating the Haleakala Volcano. By this time, Na-maka-o-Kaha’i, realized that she was still alive and she also went to Maui, in order to battle her sister. The epic battle ended near Hana, where Pele was defeated and torn apart by her sister, her bones left on a hill called, Ka-iwi-o-Pele (The Bones of Pele). Pele recovered and fled to Oahu where she dug several fire pits, including what is now Diamond Head. Following her death, Pele became a Goddess and found a home on Big Island at Mauna Kea.

Here Pele dug her final fire pit, the Hale’Mau’Mau Crater, where she would remain for eternity. Located at the summit of the Kilauea Volcano, Pele is said to remain there to this day and is believed to be happy at this location because it was the Ka Piko o ka Honua (Navel of the Earth), where the Gods began creation.
Perhaps the most notorious legend of Pele is the curse placed on those disturbing or stealing from her home.

Many have made the decision to take a lava rock from Kilauea, and though some say that this myth was made up by a park ranger on Big Island trying to discourage visitors from taking the sacred rocks from the park, each and every year thousands of packages containing lava rocks are mailed back to Hawaii by the guilty from around the world that have had a string of bad luck since taking the sacred rocks from Pele’s home and are forced to ask her for her forgiveness.

Discover Hawaii Tours has trips to the Big Island available from Hilo, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. With increased lava flow from Kilauea, the sights and opportunities to see Pele’s home are better than ever. We look forward to seeing you on tour and sharing more of Pele’s story with you!

Read more: Legend of Pele

The world’s most active volcano just keeps going, and for the foreseeable future, it is showing no signs of letting up. May 21, 2010 is another event and milestone in the eruption of Kilauea. Since January 3, 1983, and for the 10,000th consecutive day, the summit of Kilauea has kept scientists busy collecting information and data about the volcano’s internal workings.

The ongoing eruption and gas emissions have produced a predominant mix of sulfur dioxide mixed with volcanic ash at about 200 tons to 2,000 tons a day. In the 27 plus years of activity, scientists have witnessed and investigated many events, including the opening of a new vent in March 2008. Possibly more important than the activity and information that has been gathered, and due to a road closure at Crater Rim Drive, there has been an increase in forest birds near the Chain of Craters Road intersection. The road closure is part of 4 miles out of 62 total miles of paved road through the park. Hawaiian traditions are also seeing benefits from the road closure as specific laws protecting Pele’s home are respected. Lava that steams is land that is still forming and not to be touched, according to cultural anthropologist Keola Awong. Scientists have also noticed signs showing just how connected the summit is to vents in other parts of the island. Tiltmeters, tubes a few feet high that are secured in the ground, contain liquid with an air bubble inside. These tiltmeters record how the air bubble shifts as the ground beneath the machine shifts.

The closest views of the lava can be seen from Tour 33 our tour gets as close to the lava viewing as allowed by the Hawaii Civil Defense. Tours are available from Big Island, Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. This is the best lava viewing we have had for some time, take advantage of this once in a lifetime spectacle and join Discover Hawaii Tours on a magnificent tour that you will most certainly enjoy.

Read more: Kiluaea Going Strong

With the recent activity of the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano in Iceland, it brings about the possibilities for us here in Hawaii.

Though the volcanoes on most of the islands are dormant, there is activity from Kilauea, and recently, there has been an increased flow. The recent activity has set off small fires and small methane explosions as it makes its way through the brush and closer to the viewing area. There has been no structural damage but the Civil Defense has had to relocate some of their facilities.The U.S. Geological Survey has been monitoring the slow moving flow, and will continue to do so as it keeps advancing. For safety reasons, there is no close-up viewing of the flow, but there is a path over lava that is only a few months old that offers a great view. Members of the U.S. Geological Survey have said that the distant views of surface activity are available, especially at night. This activity for our Big Island Volcano Tour 33 means that we have had great views of the lava flow and the increased activity means that seats for our tours are filling fast, as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
As much as we are enjoying the views and flow from our Big Island Volcano and it is a thrill to see, we do understand the magnitude of what is happening in Iceland. We here at Discover Hawaii Tours hope that everyone that has been affected by this event makes it out safe and further damage is avoided.

Read more: Increased Lava Flow on Big Island Brings Spectacular Views