HAWAII: Unique Volcanic Phenomenon Begins, Tourism To Shoot Upwards

Hawaiian Airlines says it is expecting an increase in volcanic tourism numbers as word of a unique natural event spreads.

Mt Kīlauea on the Island of Hawai’i (also known as the Big Island), is the youngest and most active of the Hawaiian shield volcanoes and has recently begun extending the island’s coastline as its lava flow reached the Pacific Ocean.

NZ country director for Hawaiian Airlines Rusty Williss says that the Big Island is proving increasingly popular with intrepid New Zealand travellers.

“Our flights to Kona and Hilo [airports] were popular this July, when the lava viewing areas were re-opened,” said Williss.

“Kiwi travellers frequent the island for a variety of reasons including Hawaiian historical and cultural sights, diverse terrain -- from tropical rainforests, green and black sand beaches and the snowy peak of Maunakea -- and a multitude of water activities.

However, one of the most popular attractions last month has likely been the captivating, active volcano at the Kīlauea Volcano World Heritage Site,” he says.

Darragh Walshe, New Zealand manager for Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania, says Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is visited by millions of tourists each year and this number is already increasing due to the recent activity and the reopening of hikes which make the lava flow accessible.

“Kiwis are active travellers who love to experience and enjoy Hawai‘i’s natural environment. Opportunities such as this, which allow us to witness nature in its most formative stages, will be on the bucket list for many,

“The timing is also perfect, as Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park was established exactly 100 years ago and is part of this year’s US National Park Service Centenary celebrations,” he says.

An Auckland University vulcanologist has spent the past six months working alongside Hawaiian officials to monitor the lava flow agrees that Kiwis will be eager to take a peek.

Ben Simons, whose specialities include geo hazards and active volcano monitoring, devotes much of his life to studying the world’s active volcanoes, but even he is impressed by what is happening on Kīlauea.

“The lava flow itself is a major attraction but now that it has reached the water you get a whole other spectacle of vulcanism - fire fountaining, exploding bubbles and steam. The night glow is particularly special,” he says. “It’s a real treat to be able to see it all in action.”

Last month, the national park as well as the County of Hawaii revived the previously dormant hikes to view the lava flow. Tourists should be prepared for a long, strenuous 10 to 12 mile roundtrip hike through solidified lava fields to watch the latest flow travel into the water.

“The vulcanism is constant but this lava flow is new,” says Simons, a doctoral candidate who was in Hawai’i as part of an academic exchange. “There are two permanent lava lakes on Kīlauea - one is Halemaumau and the other is Puu Ōō, which is where the lava flow has begun this time.”

Hawaiian flies three-times weekly from Auckland International Airport to Honolulu, departing on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The airline is currently offering roundtrip airfare to Hilo from Auckland with a stopover in Honolulu for as low as $1279.96. For more information visit www.hawaiianairlines.co.nz.