How Close Can Visitors Get To The Volcanos in Hawaii?|192119

My uncle is 76 years old on Sunday and is planning a trip to Hawaii from England. Has anybody any experience of an older person making this same trip?

Saw a few elder personal doing the walk to the lava flow. It is a long walk (a few miles back and fro). Night time viewing is maginificant but do not advise for people who are not physically fit. If your uncle is strong _ healthy, be sure to bring strong flash light and follow the crowd.

To make his journey more enjoyable, a helicopter ride might be a better way to view the scenery. Please do check with his doctor to make sure he does not have any health restriction.

By the way, if anyone has astmas, not advise to visit the volcano. My sister has the problem and that made her breathing very difficult.

Also, bring a light jacket. Volcano park is cold at some areas, it is not firey hot.

WHAT SUNNI SAID
LIVE ALOHA!

There is all kinds of tour rides. They will take you as close to the volcano as safety will permit. It is really a awesome experience. I went in the 70s so things have changed since then. Join your uncle if you can. It is a trip you will never forget.

You can walk INSIDE the caldera of all of the Hawaiian volcanoes. The lava usually flows downhill, in underground lava tubes until there is a break in the tube or until it reaches the ocean. The paths within the craters are usually well marked and generally safe, but very l-o-n-g. He should consider renting a wheelchair if he has problems walking.

Does your uncle have asthma, bronchitis or any breathing problem? If so, he should NOT get close to the volcanic fumes. The fumes contain sulfur compounds that will inhibit his breathing.

Remind him to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable shoes, long pants, a jacket and to bring some water and a decent camera.

If your uncle is 76 I would suggest you take a bus tour (or just drive your car) around the Volcanoes National Park. You can_t actually see the volcano erupting but will most likely be able to see the lava entering the ocean (depending on viewing conditions that day). I would highly advise that your uncle stay in the car as much as possible though as the walkways are often uneven and hazardous.

Hope he has a great time!

Elderhostel is the best bet and they have a program that includes Hawai_i Volcanoes National Park:


Follow the journey of Pele, Hawaii_s volcano goddess, from Kilauea_s current eruption in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, to Haleakala on Maui for a bird_s-eye view into the volcanic crater, enjoying black sand beaches, stunning waterfalls and fascinating remnants of ancient Hawaii along the way. Then on to Kalaupapa, on Molokai_s peninsula, where Father Damien ministered to Hansen_s Disease patients, and to Kauai where you will see Waimea, the _Grand Canyon of the Pacific,_ and watch seabirds soar over the lighthouse and cliffs. End your stay in bustling Waikiki, including a visit to the USS Arizona, a moving memorial to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Led by former park rangers and local cultural historians you will gain unique insider perspectives as you experience Hawaii_s flora, fauna, and cultural history while you explore beautiful and fascinating national parks, national historic parks and sites, national wildlife refuges, and state parks on five of the major Hawaiian islands.

Participants must be able to walk 1-2 miles per day on park maintained trails, rainforests, and cooled lava flows. Elevations from sea level to 10,000_. Weather varies greatly from wet to dry. Due to inter-island air travel connections, flights may involve stopovers and waiting time at local airports. Porterage service not available.

Program in association with Volcano Art Center, a nonprofit, educational organization, Molokai Museum _ Cultural Center and Hawaii Pacific University.

Itinerary
Arrivals Hilo (ITO) with included transfer at 1:30 PM to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 3 nights; coach to Kailua-Kona, 2 nights; fly to Maui, 3 nights; ferry to Molokai, 3 nights; fly to Kauai, 2 nights; fly to Oahu, 2 nights; departures Honolulu (HNL).

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Established in 1916, the park is the result of 70 million years of volcanism, migration and evolution. Its diverse environments range from sea level to the summit of the Earth��s most massive volcano, Mauna Loa, at 13,677 feet. Half of the park is designated as wilderness.

http://www.elderhostel.org/programs/prog��


Welcome to Elderhostel! We are a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing extraordinary learning adventures for people 55 and over. Whether you want to stay close to home or venture around the world, you will find programs that meet your interests, activity level, budget, schedule and lifestyle.

Actually, people can go right up to the lava flow-- At various times depending on the direction Pele wishes to take, the flow is a couple miles_ walk (over bumpy lava) from the nearest road--- at other times it is actually flowing over the road. So it all depends.
We_ve walked right up to the streams of lava, melting the bottom of our shoes in the process. Not very safe, or recommended however. But absolutely unforgettable.
An elderly person will only be able to possibly see the flow from quite a distance, BUT there are helicopter tours that go over the lava-- Quite impressive.
Again, Pele is whimsical. Sometimes you see her, sometimes she hides!

Actually, it_s all a myth to get people to spend their money in Hawaii---there is no flowing lava, hell, there aren_t even any volcanoes here! Go away. Go vacation in scenic Iowa or Nebraska. Hawaii sucks, don_t come here.

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/

Hi,
About your uncle at 76, I_m now 62 and I_ve made the hike three times to see the lava (break outs) flow at the end of Chain of Craters road. The hike is over very hard to walk-on lava. The trail might be beaten down some, however, it is up and down and very rocky. If your uncle is in very good shape, just maybe he could walk it. I think his best bet is a Helicopter ride. If he is set on making the trip make it a two day adventure. I suggest spending one night at the Volcano House. It_s right on the rim of the Kilauea Caldera. Within walking distance of my two favorite sites the Steaming Bluffs and the Park visitors center. The views from the Volcano House are spectacular looking into the caldera. There are a lot of places to visit you can pick up a guide at the visitor_s center. Try this site www.nps.gov then find Volcano_s National Park. How ever you make the trip it will be fun.

make shure that your uncle has good lungs u cant get to close to the volcano but theres parks u can go to (dont take the hellacopter ride its not safe)also the gas around the valcano can be deadly u should go with yur uncle to watch over him and make sure hes ok