May 2015 Halema`uma`u Lava Lake

The inner crater at Halema`uma`u filled with lava to the point the it was overflowing onto the crater floor and was clearly visible from the Jaggar Museum overlook.  I headed to Hilo with my father and stayed at my brother's house in Hawaiian Paradise Park to see Halema`uma`u in action.  The first night (about 1:00 am) it was cloudy and rainy.  The Jaggar overlook was nearly empty.  The lava lake was spectacular!  Not great for taking pictures.

Robert overlooking the Halema`uma`u lake of lava.

I returned the next night with my father at around 10:00 pm.  It was packed!  For about 20 minutes the skies cleared and the lava was spectacular.

We also checked out Pahoa and the recent lava flow at the Pahoa Transfer Station.

Apa`a Street, Pahoa:

What remains of the only home in Pahoa overrun by lava.

Rest of the pics here (Halema`uma`u) and here (Pahoa).

July 6, 2014 Halema`uma`u

Wouldn't be a trip to the Big Island without visiting Halema`uma`u, especially at night.  The crater lookout at the Jaggar Museum was packed!  Being that it was Fourth of July weekend Volcano National Park had park rangers lining up traffic and parked cars down the road leading to the lookout.  I've never seen the lookout so packed!  The vog made for a spectacular sunset.

Sunset illuminated clouds over Mauna Loa.

People were lined up along the lookout wall.

Pele put on quite a show!  Always such a beautiful sight.

Rest of the pics here.

April 4 & 5, 2014 Halema`uma`u Crater

My brother Robert bought a house in Kea`au so my brother, Kai, my father, Scott, and I headed up to the Big Island to help out around his property the first weekend in April.  We didn't do much sight seeing, but being so close to Volcano National Park I was able to check out Halema`uma`u Crater a couple of nights.  Really love this place.

Rest of the pics here: