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. 

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. 

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.