Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Expects Busy Weekend

Hawai`i Volcanoes National park is expecting a busy weekend when hundreds of scientists, students and Hawaiian cultural practitioners will gather for the BioBlitz and Biodiversity & Cultural Festival.

Park entrance fees will be waived for both days of the festival, Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16.

The park is encouraging weekend visitors to plan ahead and consider the following ‘insider tips’:

• Expect heavy traffic before 5 p.m., when festival activities will be taking place. Be prepared for long waits and follow the directions of park rangers and parking attendants.
• Consider exploring Chain of Craters Road during the day and leave Crater Rim Drive for after 6 p.m.
• Use the free shuttle buses for traveling Crater Rim Drive, or travel by foot along Crater Rim Trail.
• If planning to view the glow from Halema‘uma‘u Crater after dark, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and bring a flashlight – walking is required to reach the viewpoint at the Jaggar Museum observation deck. Parking is limited at Kīlauea summit and you may need to walk up to a mile one way along an unlit path.
• There is a $10 fee to enter the park, except for Fri., May 15 and Sat., May 16 when entrance fees will be waived for all park visitors.
• Before leaving home, check the weather forecast. Prepare for cold, wet and windy conditions. The temperature at the summit is often more than 20 degrees lower than along the coast.
• Check volcano visibility at USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory webcams.
• The use of unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in all national parks without a special use permit.

The park reports that the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u Crater is no longer visible from the Jagger Museum observation deck.  However, the volcanic activity still creates an orange glow within the crater at nightfall, accompanied by a plume of gas, ash, and vapor.

View the latest volcano status report.