Big Island Now no. 28 poll results: While the Kīlauea eruption drew massive crowds, others settled for live webcam views of the lava

Thousands of people — visitors and Big Island residents alike — flocked to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park during Kīlauea’s latest eruption which lasted only six days.

In Big Island Now’s latest poll, we wanted to know if anyone made the trip out to the fiery summit. Of the 224 who participated in the poll, 59 votes indicated they wanted to get to the volcano, but couldn’t make it.

Forty people voted they had seen a lot of eruptions and weren’t interested in this one. One Instagram commenter to Big Island Now stated: “Live here & did not go.”

Twenty-six votes indicated they were at the park hours after the eruption began. Kathleen S. Romero said: “Was there by 4:30 p.m.!”

Barbie Riddle said she spent the night watching the show. “It was amazing.”

Twenty-five voters chose to stay home and watch the show from the live U.S. Geological Survey webcam.

The eruption started on Sept. 10 at around 3 p.m. and ended on Sept. 16. Officials with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory say it is unlikely the eruption will restart. This is the fifth eruption event at the caldera since 2020. It is also the shortest event in the past three years.

Jessica Ferracane, spokesperson for Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, said data from the entrance station shows that at least 5,000 visitors — and likely sometimes more — came each day of the eruption to see the volcanic activity. The numbers include Big Island residents.

See the full poll results below:

• I wanted to make it, but couldn’t. 59 (26%)
• I’ve seen a lot of eruptions. I wasn’t interested in checking out this one. 40 (17%)
• I made it to park for the evening glow. 30 (13%)
• I was there hours after it started! 26 (11%)
• Why go? That’s what the live webcam is for! 25 (11%)
• I was at the rim in the middle of the night. 13 (5%)
• I got up early to see the lava before sunrise. 11 (4%)
• Other 20 (8%)