Hawaii is the most remote US state located some 2500 miles from the mainland. It’s a tropical paradise, a vacation spot for people like the ocean, beaches, and warm weather. Hawaii Islands are also part of the Pacific Fire Ring and have several active volcanoes. Besides the gorgeous coastline, the islands offer beautiful inland parts with lush vegetation, mountains, and volcanoes.
To get to Hawaii, you will need esta usa travel authorization. This document allows foreign visitors from countries in Visa Waiver Program to get into America relatively quickly. You’ll have to fill ESTA documentation online and wait for a couple of days until the administration processes your application. Once you get travel authorization, you will travel to the US in the next two years.
Table of Contents
Things to do in Kilauea
Kilauea is a name for the small unincorporated community on the northernmost big island, Kauai, and the most active volcano on the largest southernmost island. Kauai is a great place to stay when visiting Hawaii Islands because there are fewer crowds, and nature is equally stunning.
You can go to the historic Kilauea Lighthouse situated inside of Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. You can see incredible panoramic views and take a glimpse into the particular population of seabirds along the island’s cliffs.
Beaches on Kauai near Kilauea will stun you with natural beauty but are not suitable for swimming. The Kauapea and Ka’aka’aniu Beach are stunning beaches with spectacular views.
Explore Na’Aina Kai Botanical Gardens that combine the lush vegetation of the island with high-quality horticultural arts. You can go on a guided Kilauea Tour to explore the jungle and experience scenery and the incredible waterfalls for more adventurous visitors.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park entrance fee
Kauai is home to two volcanoes, Waialeale mountain and the Paniau, on the private Ni’ihau island close by. But if you want to experience the majestic Hawaiian volcanoes, the two most prominent are on Hawai’i Island. The largest of five big islands in Hawaii is home to the most active volcano Kilauea. Located on the southeast shore is a shield volcano with the most recent eruption on December 20, 2020. The hot lava is currently pouring out of the Kilauea volcano, which has been continuously erupting since 1983. The Crater doesn’t flow, but you can visit it with roads and trails in the National Park.
The best places to watch the Kilauea volcano summit are Wahinekapu, Kilauea Overlook, Kaenakako I, and Waldron Ledge. The eruptions are unpredictable and dangerous. Avoid earth cracks and cliff edges, and account for waiting time around popular viewpoints. You can see fumes coming out of the volcano during the day and at nighttime, a glow from lava inside of the volcano.
You will have to pay $30 for a vehicle to get into the national park, $15 if you come on foot or bike, and the motorcycle fee is $25. You can come on Martin Luther King Day, National Park Week, Great American Outdoors Act, National Park Service Birthday, National Public Lands Day, and Veteran’s Day to get a free park entrance.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park weather
The weather in National Park is unpredictable because of the high elevation, and visitors should have layers of clothes, a rain jacket, and some spare clothing. If you watch the volcano at night, the temperature might be chili, around 12 to 15 degrees lower than sea level.
In the park where lava crossed the road back in 2003, the weather is windy, hotter, and drier.
Restaurants near Volcano National Park
Hawaii as a destination has numerous restaurants, and the Volcanoes National Park attracts thousands of visitors, so there are plenty of dining options near the park entrance. Some places to grab a snack are Crater Rim Café that has excellent reviews online, and you can rest and have an affordable quality meal.
TheRim, Ohelo Café, Aunty Pon’s Thai Food Truck, Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant are other food places close to the Kilauea volcano.
Booking a Hawaiian vacation can be expensive, and if you’re going in peak season, you can have a hard time finding accommodation. You should definitely go and do check my ESTA status before making the reservations because there is a chance you can be rejected. Once you get ESTA approval, there is a two-year window to visit the US, so you’ll have plenty of time to make arrangements.
Bottom line
Hawaiian Islands are volcanic and have high shield volcanos that look attractive and have tall domes. The big island volcanos like Kilauea are very active, with constant eruptions and lava pouring out of cracks. The giant volcano is Mauna Kea in the central part of the big island and out of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but it is definitely worth visiting.