Travel + Leisure: Complete Guide To The Big Island of Hawaii

Above, lava inside a Kilauea volcano crater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ten years ago this month, I took a vacation trip to Hawaii. It was a package trip by the Automobile Club of Southern California. It was a great deal that included air travel and hotels.

The trip comprised a few days in Waikiki and a few days on the Big Island of Hawaii. While on the Big Island, we took a helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, waterfalls and the coast near Hilo. 

Travel + Leisure posted a "complete guide" to Hawaii's Big Island.

It begins with:

It’s no secret that the Island of Hawaii is a tropical paradise filled with beautiful beaches, thoughtfully designed resorts, important cultural landmarks, impressive national parks, and some of the most delicious food in the Pacific. That's why Hawaii, commonly known as the Big Island, has long remained one of the top vacation destinations in the world.

Whether it’s a trip to one of the island’s main events—the Kona Brewers Festival in March, the Big Island Chocolate Festival in April, or the Ironman World Championship in October—or you're looking to relax in a location packed with views of swaying palm trees, cerulean seas, and volcanic outcrops, the Big Island is a destination that cannot be missed.

To read more, go here. 

7 Big Island Stays That Fit Every Style and Budget

Above, the Waikoloa Beach Hotel and Spa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nine years ago (has it already been that long ago?), I visited the Big Island of Hawaii. I stayed at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa in Kona. 

While on the Big Island, I took a tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by helicopter with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. We had to drive about 60 miles from Kona to Hilo to get to the Hilo airport to catch our helicopter flight. 

The Hawaii travel arrangements were provided by the Automobile Club of Southern California. 

AOL has posted an article on "7 Big Island Stays That Fit Every Style and Budget".

They begin it with:

The Big Island of Hawaii, officially named Hawaiʻi Island, is the largest and youngest of the main Hawaiian Islands. Famous for its volcanoes, landscapes, black sand beaches, and its diverse range of accommodations, it’s no surprise many tourists travel here year-round for the experience. Being twice the size of all the other Hawaiian Islands combined, covering 4,028 square miles (10,432 km²), there are quite a few places to stay. Kona or Hilo? Or is Waikoloa a better option? Are you interested in lava fields or waterfalls? This guide breaks down the 7 top places to stay on the Big Island to help you find the best location for your trip., 

To read more, go here.

Hawaii: Tips For A Big Island Visit

Above, a helicopter view of double waterfalls on the Hilo side of the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A good time of the year to visit Hawaii is in May and June.

Most people to to Honolulu and Waikiki, but there's plenty to see and do on the Big Island of Hawaii.

One interesting place on the Big Island is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that includes Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. We took a helicopter tour of the park and were able to see lava in one of Kilauea's craters.

Travel Weekly has posted a Q & A with a travel expert with her tips on visiting the Big Island.

It begins with:

The Big Island of Hawaii is home to five volcanoes and offers a diverse landscape as well as some of the most unique experiences in the Islands. It also offers a challenge, because of its size, to anyone who's planning a vacation there and looking to squeeze in as much enjoyment as possible on a short stay.

To read more, go here. 

Six of the Best Islands To Visit In Hawaii

Above, a double waterfall on the Big Island from a Blue
Hawaiian Helicopters aerial tour. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since many mainlanders of the U.S. will be in the midst of snowy and cold conditions, it might be a good idea to take a look at places that are tropical and warmer.

Travel Noire has posted an article on six of the "best" islands to visit in Hawaii.

They begin it with:

Hawaii is home to some of the most sought-after tropical waters in the world. The islands of Hawaii have lush rainforests, world-class beaches, and stunning volcanoes that attract millions of visitors every year. Marked by clear turquoise waters and vibrant green mountains, these islands provide picturesque views that are unparalleled.   

Along with the many environmental attractions and attributes of Hawaii, its culture is one of the most incredible features that travelers can experience. The Aloha Spirit, which many travelers get to experience as soon as they land, is a significant aspect of Hawaiian culture derived from Polynesian heritage. The term comes from the greeting “aloha,” which means the coordination of both the mind and heart (or compassion and harmony with mankind). This spirit exists across each of the islands of Hawaii. 

Hawaii’s many different islands offer unique features and gorgeous views. Travelers can have many different types of vacations, depending on their preferred island. While there are a total of eight main Hawaiian islands, only some of them are accessible to visitors. Check out these six Hawaiian islands that are the best to visit; whether a bustling tropical paradise or secluded getaway sounds ideal. 

To read more, go here. 

Kilauea and Mauna Loa Volcanoes In Hawaii

Above, a helicopter view of lava inside a Kilauea volcano crater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to TheTravel, Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano is the most-visited place in Hawaii.

I have never visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, but I did fly over the park, particularly Kilauea, in a helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in 2016. It is a well-worth excursion that I highly recommend.

TheTravel has posted an article on Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes on the Big Island.

The begin it with:

Located on the Big Island, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of the most beautiful national parks in the U.S., Kilauea, and Mauna Loa are among the places tourists should visit at least once in a lifetime. They are famous for being two of the world's most active volcanoes, and always guarantee the best experiences to vacationers who make it there.

There are five volcanoes on the Big Island; Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, Mauna Kea, and Kohala. Mauna Kea, at 13,796 feet, is the state's tallest mountain and the world's highest sea mountain. Mauna Loa is the world's largest volcano, while Kilauea is the most active. Despite these figures, Kilauea is the most famous Hawaiian volcano and one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

To read more, go here. 

Fodor's Travel: Best Things To Do In Hilo

Above, an aerial view of double waterfalls north of Hilo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During our Hawaii trip seven years ago, we were on the Kona side of the Big Island. While there, we rented a car and drove across the island to the Hilo side where we had a scheduled helicopter tour to Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park and waterfalls along the coast.

It was an interesting drive, especially seeing volcanic cinder cones along the way. The helicopter tour was with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters based at the Hilo Airport. 

According to Fodor's Travel, there are other things to do in the Hilo area.

They begin with:

The Hilo side of Hawaii’s Big Island is extremely underrated for its wide variety of wonderful experiences it offers visitors—from verdant rainforests to hiking in the shadows of ancient active volcanos. Hilo is an underrated part of the Big Island, where you’ll discover that hotels, restaurants, rental cars, and tours are often less expensive than other more popular places throughout the islands.

Although Hilo is noticeably less polished than some of Hawaii’s more resort-heavy areas, there are dozens of unique accommodations and many activities to enjoy. If you’re headed to Hawaii, here’s why you should head to Hilo.

To read more, go here. 

FAA Plan To Slash Hawaii Volcanoes Helicopter Tours 88%

Above, approaching a Kilauea crater by helicopter in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As one might expect, the current eruption of Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island in Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park is drawing a lot of spectators. Along with that, demand for helicopter tours over the volcano are in high demand.

Getting a helicopter tour will be harder if a plan by the FAA and the National Park Service goes into effect. The plan is to slash tours by 88%.

Beat of Hawaii reported:

On an auspicious day when USGS just announced and shared photos (above) of the Kilauea volcano once again erupting, as seen within the Halemaumau crater, a visitors-welcome Zoom meeting will take place regarding the proposed drastic reduction in helicopter tours in the area. During the last eruption, your editors found it impossible to get a helicopter tour when they visited. With the planned reduction we imagine that tours will become far more costly too.

The FAA and the National Park Service (NPS) have issued a draft Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) with significant proposed changes and a massive reduction in helicopter tours for both Haleakala National Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The issue is the overall environmental impact of the air tours, especially the constant noise helicopters create.

We have to say this is a good idea. We’ve hiked at Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park on Kauai many times,  only to have helicopters flying over us incessantly at the end of the trail.

The FAA and NPS plan is to severely limit helicopter tours at two Hawaii locations: the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island and the Haleakalā National Park on Maui. If you have any opinion on this, you are urged to comment before the June 20 deadline. More information is below.

I took a helicopter tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 2016 and it was an enjoyable and interesting experience.

To read more, go here.

How To See The Volcanic Eruptions On The Big Island

Above, approaching a Kilauea crater by helicopter. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Big Island is getting a lot of attention lately as it has two volcanoes erupting at the same time.

The volcanoes erupting are Kilauea and Mauna Loa at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Mauna Loa started erupting on November 27.

Many people are flocking to the Big Island of Hawaii to view the eruptions. Travel Weekly has posted an article on how to see Mauna Loa and Kilauea. 

Above, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters at Hilo Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I took a helicopter flight over Kilauea in 2016 with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters out of Hilo Airport. It was an interesting flight, one that I heartily recommend. Kilauea was quiet at the time, but we did see lava inside a crater as we flew over it.

Travel Weekly begins with:

It's been almost 40 years since the last time the Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes were erupting at the same time. As such a rare event, it's already brought many visitors to the island specifically to see the spectacle, while others are still wondering whether they should get on a plane and go.

The answer to that question came earlier this month from Hawaii County mayor Mitch Roth. "It's actually a great time to come," he said in a press conference. "People are here and seeing some of the most unbelievable sights ever, and you don't have to go up Saddle Road. You can see [the Mauna Loa lava flow] from Hilo. You can see it from Kona. You can see it from Kau."

In order to see both the Kilauea and Mauna Loa eruptions at the same time, you'll have to go to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP), atop Kilauea. The park is closest to Hilo, and it would be recommended to arrive at that airport if the park is part of the agenda. 

To read more, go here. 

United Airlines Ending Flights To Hilo

Above, Hilo Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

United Airlines, once my favorite airline, is ending flights to Hilo Airport on the Main Island of Hawaii.

According to Travel Weekly:

After the winter holiday, United Airlines will halt service to Hilo Airport on the Island of Hawaii's east coast. The final service is scheduled for Jan. 7. 

After the move, there will be no remaining nonstop flights from Hilo to the U.S. mainland. Hawaiian and Southwest will continue to serve Hilo numerous times daily with flights from Honolulu, while Hawaiian and commuter carrier Mokulele will continue connecting Hilo with Maui's Kahului Airport. 

It was from Hilo Airport that we took our Blue Hawaiian Helicopters tour flight over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, specifically, Kilauea Volcano.  

To read more, go here.

T&C Travel Guide: Hawaii's Big Island

Above, double waterfalls on the Hilo side of the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my 2016 trip to Hawaii, I spent a few days on the Big Island.

We stayed on the Kona side of the island, but we took the 77-mile drive across the island to Hilo to catch our Blue Hawaiian Helicopters tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and waterfalls. 

Yahoo! Life Town & Country section posted a travel guide to what the Big Island has to offer.

They begin it with:

Forget revenge when it comes to vacations this year, what we all need is sunny spot to rest. May I suggest Hawaii's Big Island? It's a little more locals-only than Maui and its microclimate offers the rainforest on one side of the island and sunny beaches on the other. We recommend staying at least four days to really nail the blend of adventure and relaxation— after two days of cabanas and cocktails, a waterfall hike is just the thing. Below, the very T&C things to eat, do, and see on Hawaii's Big Island.

To read more, go here.

How To Safely View Kilauea Eruptions

Above, a helicopter view inside Kilauea's crater in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The recent eruptions of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island is drawing a lot of attention and people want to see it for themselves.

Travel Weekly has posted an article with tips on how to safely view it.

They start it with:

Kilauea, a volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, started erupting on Sept. 29, and, so far, the activity is contained within its crater, making for some spectacular sights.

During the day, spectators can see volcanic gas and steam billow out of Halemaumau, the summit crater. The park is open 24-hours a day, and at night visitors are entranced by the 127-acre lava lake casting a reddish-orange glow against the crater walls and into the dark sky. 

To read more, go here. 

How To See Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Above, a 2016 helicopter view of a Kilauea crater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is interested in geology or volcanoes in particular, they may want to check out an article on how to see the best of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.

That is the topic posted by The Travel.

Five years ago, I took a helicopter trip over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters from Hilo. It was an interesting excursion and one I would recommend.

They begin with:

Hawaii owes its whole existence to volcanoes - it is not built on a continental shelf at all unlike the vast majority of land in the world. It is a volcanic wonderland and boasts multiple active volcanoes. Two of these active volcanoes are in the stunning Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

The two volcanoes are Kilauea and Mauna Loa, not only is this park stunning for visitors, but it is also an important area for volcanologists to study. It is a trip into another world and an experience not to be forgotten. 

To read the full article, go here. 

Traveler's Checklist For Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Above, an aerial view of Kilauea Volcano. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since Hawaii is staring to open up with little baby steps, if one is planning a vacation there, they should include a visit to the Big Island and check out Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

National Parks Traveler has posted a guide for visiting the park. To date, this is the most comprehensive guide I've seen online.

A few years ago, I took a helicopter flight over Kilauea Volcano that's located within the park with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters.

They begin it with:

Ahhh, paradise. What better place to relax and unwind than in Hawaii, right? However, if you decide you’d like a little more excitement and want to venture away from your swinging hammock or beach towel on the sand, how about a visit to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, where you can hike through a rain forest and over a solidified lava lake, drive past golden pahoehoe lava flows, and view up-close the home of the goddess Pele. This Traveler’s Checklist will help you plan for your visit to make the most of your time in the park.

To read more, go here. 

Kilauea Volcano Reviving The Big Island's Tourism?

Above, red-hot lava in a Kilauea Volcano crater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I took a helicopter flight over Kilauea Volcanon on Hawaii's Big Island five years ago, the volcano was quiet. 

Even though quiet, the volcano treated the helicopter's passengers to a visual treat of red-hot lava in a crater. 

Now, after the volcano has erupted again, hope has risen that people wanting to view it will help revive tourism to the Big Island.

CNN Travel reported:

(CNN) — Five days before Christmas, Cheryl Gansecki, a volcanologist at the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo, was in bed when a small earthquake shook her awake sometime after 9:30 p.m.

She checked the webcams at the summit of the Kīlauea Volcano, and her eyes went wide when she saw it -- the bright, bold glow coming from the crater.

The lava. It had returned.

She promptly made the 45-minute drive to the crater rim, adjacent to the Visitors Center at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. By the time she arrived at 10:45 p.m., word had spread far and wide.

"Tons of people were already there, and there were traffic jams," Gansecki said.

The last time Kīlauea spewed lava was more than two years ago in the summer of 2018, when it mercilessly flowed through neighborhoods and destroyed more than 700 homes.

Still, many felt compelled to go and see. Hundreds of cars showed up within a few hours, according to the park. It was a mix of curious locals, scientists, photographers and business owners.

They gathered at the Kīlauea Overlook, where a brilliant, orange glow illuminated the crater, reflecting against the green of the trees and the brown of the rock.

Everyone was asking variations of the same questions that night: What would this eruption become? Would it stabilize and provide an opportunity for the island's economy, which has been devastated by the pandemic, to rebound? Would it entice people to travel to Hawaiʻi and see one of nature's greatest displays?

Taking a helicopter flight over an active volcano is something everyone should do. The helicopter tour I took was with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters out of Hilo.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Almost 100% Reopened

Above, a vent of Kilauea volcano. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island was shut down for four months due to eruptions of Kilauea volcano. Now, it is almost entirely open to visitors.

Travel Pulse reported:

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was shut down for more than four months this summer after Kilauea’s outburst in May. But now the good news is flowing. Since its “soft opening” on September 22nd, bits and pieces of the Park have continued to open little by little, and here in November, it is very nearly up and running at full speed. Here are the latest updates.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Has Officially Reopened

Above, trees afire from underground lava tubes of Kilauea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The eruptions and lava flow from Kilauea volcano has stopped or subsided enough to allow visitors back into the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.

Hawai'i Magazine has an article on what visitors can expect when they visit the park.

It begins with:

After being closed for 134 days, most of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reopened on Sept. 22, marking a miraculous comeback from months of eruptions, seismic activity and lava flows at Kilauea. 

And although the visitor center, which is the first building you see when you enter the park, looks nearly the same as it did before the closure, some of the park’s other attractions have changed in significant ways. First, there is no more active lava in the park. The lava lake in Halemaumau Crater, a popular site for visitors and locals, has completely drained, and its distinctive orange-glow is no more. However, Halemaumau itself is still worth seeing as it has grown dramatically after numerous collapses on its crater walls.

It would be interesting to see the park now. I flew over the Kilauea volcano two years ago with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park To Re-Open

Above, a helicopter view of a vent from Kilauea volcano on the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's some good news coming from Hawaii's Big Island: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is set to re-open.

The Weather Channel reported:

Months after eruptions at the Big Island's Kilauea volcano forced the record-long closure of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the popular tourist destination will reopen Saturday without one key element — lava.

Back in April, a massive lava lake continued to boil and bubble at the park until eruptions beginning in May emptied the lake entirely of its molten rock. Now, all that remains is a large, gaping hole. 

To read more, go here. 

A View Inside Kilauea Volcano

Above, a view from a Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tour of one of Kilauea's vent craters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island is still in eruption and the U.S. Geological Survey has flown a drone over one of the volcano's craters to get a look inside.

A four-minute video from the drone has been posted at Forbes.com.

Forbes.com reported:

The Halemaumau Crater at the summit of Kilauea Volcano has been rumbling nearly nonstop since May 3, when lava began erupting from a series of fissures in the shield volcano's nearby East Rift Zone. Subsidence, earthquakes and rockfalls are rapidly and dramatically reshaping the crater itself and this week the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory sent a drone over the crater for a closer look.

To see the video and to read more, go here. 

Hawaii Eruptions Declared "Major Disaster" By President Trump

Above, one of Kilauea volcano's vents as seen during a tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the request of Hawaii's governor, President Donald Trump has declared the Big Island's eruptions a "major disaster".

AOL reported:

HONOLULU ― President Donald Trump on Friday declared the recent volcanic eruptions in Hawaii a major disaster, signaling federal agencies to assist with recovery efforts and allowing the state to access federal funding. 

The declaration comes after a week of earthquakes, newly opened fissures and devastating lava flows have plagued neighborhoods in the Puna district of Hawaii’s Big Island. Gov. David Ige (D) requested the disaster declaration on Wednesday. 

Kilauea, considered one of the world’s most active volcanoes, began erupting on May 3 after scientists observed an uptick in earthquakes around the volcano’s east rift zone. The initial eruptions were followed by two powerful earthquakes and the formation of even more explosive fissures. 

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii's Active Volcanoes, Where Are They?

Above, lava inside one of Kilauea's vents. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever wondered where all of Hawaii's active volcanoes are located?

Well, leave it to The Daily Express (U.K.) to provide the straight skinny on where they are located.

Their article (with maps) begins with:

MOUNT Kilauea continues to wreak havoc on Hawaii’s Big Island, with thousands of people displaced, dozens of homes destroyed and huge swathes of land devoured. But are there any other active volcanoes in Hawaii, and where are they? Here is everything you need to know about the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 

Hawaii, which is a volcanic archipelago, consists of five volcanoes in total but not all of them are active, as the map below shows. 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established on August 1 1916, and is home to two active volcanoes. 

Mount Kilauea is currently getting most of the attention, as the youngest volcano in the area has proved age is but a number, with 14 fissures opening over the past week. 

Kilauea is thought to be one of the most active volcanoes on earth, if not topping the list. This latest eruption has been underway since 1983.

To view more, go here.