Kalapana Lava Hike-May 19, 2018- Cancelled

Access to the Kamukona ocean entry from the east (Kalapana)

Saturday, May 19, 2018, the Kona Hiking Club will hike roundtrip on the emergency road/Highway 130 to the current lava flow.

Meeting time planned for 3:00 pm. Check this posting for updates before the hike.

Security guards may be posted on the emergency road or Highway 130 before the entrance to Kalapana Gardens to provide lava viewing information and to direct parking. Lava viewing along the three-mile stretch of the County’s portion of the emergency road is permitted between the hours of 3-9 p.m., daily [source]. Directions to Kalapana from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: Take Hwy 11 towards Hilo to Hwy 130. Follow Hwy 130 until you reach the road’s end and the visitor parking area. (45 miles, about 1 hour).

The total distance to the ocean entry depends on local circumstances such as the exact location of the ocean entry and the route you have to walk to safely get there. Expect a 4+ mile and 1.5 to 2-hour hike (one way), and bring plenty of water.

• Viewing area hours are from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily?, with the last car allowed to park at 8:30 p.m. Lava Guard# 430-1966
• It is about 8.5 total miles round-trip from end of the pavement on Highway 130 to the last lava flow and back. Hopefully, Pele blesses us with some great lava viewing.
• The road is unpaved and surrounded on all sides by rough lava on private property. Public access is restricted to the graded roadway and viewers are asked to please respect private property and the rights of local residents.
• Restroom facilities are limited and lack running water.
• All members of your party should dress appropriately with sturdy, covered shoes, long pants and a hat.
• Be prepared for a long, hard hike including rain, wind, heat and dust exposure.
• Bring lots of water (2-4 liters per person), there is no potable water available.
• Bring a flashlight with fresh batteries for walking at night over the rough ground.
• The noxious gasses that are released when the lava meets the ocean.

For additional information, please phone Kathleen at 557-9246.
RSVP to konahikingclub@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE: All members are welcome to bring guests or pass on information about our hikes to other hikers. However, if you do so, PLEASE make sure that you direct them to http://konahikingclub.com to review the hike announcement and description. We want to make sure that everyone is prepared for the specific hike we are doing that day, whether we’re facing mud, heat, cold, steep trails, rocky trails, high altitude, exceptionally long distances, etc. Mahalo for helping us keep everyone safe!