There wasn't enough time to do much before the helicopter tour, so I had a brisk walk after the rain stopped. I was hoping to run into a wall of hot lava, but it didn't happen.
Blue Hawaiian runs the Volcano and Waterfall Tour out of Hilo Airport so we headed that direction. We stopped at Ken's Pancake house first for breakfast. Trying to fit in with Hawaiians, I enjoyed the Loco with Spam.
Once at the airport, there was a few minutes to kill before sitting through a safety briefing, getting our emergency life preservers, and heading out to the helicopter pad. I was a little concerned about the number of people in the group, but there were two copters headed up. We were flying in the smaller A-Star helicopter which was a good thing as with only four of us, the seating meant nobody had to sit in a middle seat. The tour would not have been near as good with limited visibility and movement if there had been more of us. Even compared to the larger Eco-Star helicopter, I think we had the better situation. Everyone got a window seat.
Being in a helicopter was on my bucket list so once we took off, I could scratch it off. In addition to being in all 50 states and motorcycling in all 50 states, I may need some new goals after this Hawaiian adventure...
After takeoff, we headed toward the lava fields and toward the volcanic activity. Driving in the car, and riding the motorcycle, for the last few days and seeing all the lava flows of various ages, I had started to get a sense of the size of the Big Island as well as the scope of the devastation that the volcano has caused while creating the island at the same time. Seeing it form the helicopter made it that much more visibly real.
Even areas that weren't completely devastated, showed that the lava will go where it wants and there is nothing that can really stop it.
Flying over the active vent and crater was incredibly awesome. This was the Pu'u O'o vent which is the most active volcanic spot in the islands. I had wanted to do a hiking tour to see lava, but after doing the helicopter tour and seeing the distance and terrain I'm not sure I'll pursue that. I've read various opinions on the legality of these tours as well, given where the lava is actively flowing. However, if I was going to be here for a few more weeks, I could probably still talk myself into it.
From the helicopter, red hot lava was visible. It is likely that the darker material is just a thin skin covering a lava lake.
There is additional evidence of lava flowing at the perimeter of the devastation field. Trees are burning along with steam venting. The pilot said the activity here, as well as anywhere withing the lava flow, can change hour by hour.
After the volcano viewing, we flew inland to view waterfalls. This was less interesting than the lava, but it didn't cost that much more over the flight to see just the volcano. Plus, it gave more air time. The flight allowed additional views of some of the area as well.
The current El Nino has resulted in warmer, dryer weather on the Big Island and this results in lower water flow than is normal. The waterfalls were still pretty, but there were areas that look like they may have usually had water flowing, but didn't.
Finally, we flew over Hilo Bay en route back to the Airport.
The Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tour was expensive, but probably worth it. No, we didn't get to see geysers of lava spewing out of the earth, but it was a safe and unique way to get personal with volcanic activity.
Back on terra firma, we went to the Kaumana Lava Tubes. We weren't expecting much, but it was fairly close to the Hilo Airport.
The Kaumana Lava Tubes were far more fun than I expected. A steep staircase leads down to a broken lava tube that goes in two directions, at least hundreds of feet. Some areas are narrow, but most of it has a huge ceiling. Some of it was rocky and difficult to traverse, while other was like walking on poor concrete. Luckily we had a small LED flashlight since it would be impossible to go very far without it. Once in the lava tube a ways, I shut off the light and it was total ... complete ... darkness. Frankly, the Kaumana lava tube was much better than the Thurston Lava Tube in Volcanoes National Park. And given the lack of the nanny-state, was more interesting than Mammoth Cave in Kentucky!
As we were also close to Rainbow falls, we headed over there to view it as well. There were quite a few people there, but with a non-walk from the parking area to the falls it was worth the short time investment. It was also possible to go above the falls and get close to the edge. Lots of people were swimming in the deep pools away back from the edge as well. Like with Kaumana, without the nanny-state, it was neat to explore for a short while.
After shopping for some food supplies, we headed back to the Hideaway for a couple hours, then ventured out for dinner. Kuhio Grille was a small unassuming place in a strip mall, but the food is almost always good when just about everyone there is local. Health aspects aside, the Hawaiians cook some mean pig.
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