Kilauea-der passive Active

Afterthought on yesterday

We weren't at the beach anymore, but we were in the hot tub (a whirlpool or Jacuzzi).

Made of natural stone, we had a conversation with James and Norma from Texas. He has German roots, like almost everyone we meet, worked for General Motors in Austria, and like the others, he doesn't speak a word of German.

The hot tub was really, really hot and beautifully designed. The late evening treated us with a cloudless starry sky and shooting stars.

The sun in the apartment can't be blocked (because there is no curtain), so it wakes us up shortly after 7 am. What an ungodly hour, I don't even wake up that early when I work from home. But there is one good thing about it, we leave earlier. With packed sandwiches and enough water, we head to the 40 km away Volcano National Park.

In all the travel guides and travel reports on the internet, it says that you should always go to the visitor center first and find out what is open and what is closed. So we do that dutifully.

After being informed that everything is open and no volcanic eruption is expected, we start the Crater Rim Trail to the Kilauea Overlook and the Kau Desert Trail to Uekahuna, both approximately 3.6 km long (one way).

Both trails are easy paths with no major inclines, just right for rusty hikers in the glorious midday sun.

Sometimes paved, sometimes gravel, but always along the edge of the Kilauea crater.

Facts

Kilauea is the most active shield volcano in Hawaii and the world. The last eruption was in June 2023.

In the Hawaiian language, kīlauea means "spewing" or "spreading a lot." In the currently solidified 3-4 km wide caldera of Kīlauea, nestled inside is the Halema'uma'u pit crater, in which an active lava lake existed until May 2018.

It has since cooled down, and there isn't even the tiniest bubbling lava to be seen here.

Along the way, we are accompanied by steaming holes and fissures.

There is also a little steam in the caldera.

Until 2 days ago, there were more frequent small earthquakes recorded here (up to 4.3), indicating magma movement. Unfortunately, it has become quieter again. I'm afraid we won't see any glowing red lava. 😭😩

After enjoying a few great views, we start our journey home. It's crowded everywhere because a cruise ship docked today (which was supposed to go to Maui, but currently can't due to the situation there), and the cruisers are brought here by buses.

On the way home, I wished for a ride. But Schahaatz didn't want to go back alone and get the car. He can be really mean sometimes.

My feet were soooooo hot and sooooo heavy (because of my combat boots) that I stumbled over at least 10 mini bumps (small stones sticking out).

After 3/4 of the way, at a fork in the road, we decided to take the Sulphur Banks Trail for a change, which is 300 meters longer but also more beautiful.

Until the eruption of Kilauea in 2018, it was possible to drive around the crater. Then, the lava consumed the road.

and most of it has been inaccessible to visitors since then.

When we arrived at the visitor center this morning, Schahaatz specifically asked if Mauna Loa Road is open, which the ranger, with German roots - as she happily told us, said yes in almost accent-free American English.

So there is nothing standing in the way of visiting the Mauna Loa Lookout. After 2.5 km of the actual 11.8 km, the sobering truth.

Disappointed, we start the journey back home. I really need to get out of my boots and clothes.

Exhausted from constantly lifting heavy shoes, a little afternoon power nap is good.

Another soak in the hot tub for our weary bones.

And 2 hot dogs (to replenish the calories burned) and a beer, then we can sleep well.