Day 7: Madame Pele continues to snooze!

We went back to Volcanoes National Park today for more hiking. We hiked the Kilauea Iki trail (Iki means small in Hawaiian) which led us across a crater floor. Such dynamic ecosystems during our almost 7 mile hike! 

We started our hike at the Pu’u Pua’i Overlook. In November 1959, Madame Pele, the Hawaiian volcanic deity, transformed the Kilauea Iki region over 5 weeks by shooting geyser-like fountains of lava over 1,900 feet in the air filling the crater 400 ft with molten rock. The falling cinder created a new, large red cinder cone, Pu’u Pua’i. 

From the overlook, Derek points to the trail across the Kilauea Iki crater and the return trail loop on the cliff-face beyond.

 A look from the rear of Pu’u Pua’i cinder cone. 

Hiking behind the cinder cone was like being in a desert. 

Ashton decontaminates his shoes before continuing with the hike to avoid spreading fungus causing harm to the local ‘Ohi’a trees. 

A view looking toward the BIG Kilauea crater. 

Heading down into Kilauea Iki crater 

Pu’u Pua’i cinder cone! It is ginormous! 

An old huge lava tube/vent. 

Can you spot me hiking in front of Pu’u Pua’i? (I am still shocked someone took a picture of me! Normally I take all of the pictures!) 

The terrain looks like an earthquake took out a freeway. In actuality, this is what happens when an active crater becomes inactive and falls, cracking the lava layers above. 

Can you spot the boys in their bright green and orange caps? 

A look back across the crater with the Pu’u Pua’i cinder cone on the left. 

What a fantastic experience! Not everyone can say that they have hiked across a volcanic crater! 

Now hiking back up into the humid rain forest! 

We hiked over to explore the Thurston Lava Tube. Pretty awesome- and dark!!! The boys at the entrance. 

Derek emerges from the other side. 

A look back down on Kilauea Iki crater. You can see the oath at the bottom which we traveled. 

Lots of steam was rising from the large Kilauea crater. There has been increased vent and seismic activity around the crater, similar to that just before the January 2023 eruption. We were hoping something would happen during our visit to Hawaii. However Madame Pele continues to snooze. 

Another look behind Pu’u Pua’i as we hike back to the car. 

We drove to the overlook of the big Kilauea crater to lay our last respects before departing Hawaii on Wednesday. 

A look back at Pu’u Pua’i (red mound on right) and the Kilauea Iki ridge from the large Kilauea crater overlook. 

After departing volcanoes, we drove to Punalu’u Bkaxl Sand Beach. There we saw sea turtles in the water swimming and feeding. Sorry no pictures as they were too fast to capture digitally as they would briefly come up out of the water for air. 

Ashton built a sans fort (that was taken out by the tide!). 

Zach and Derek watch the water for sea turtle heads to appear. 

Zach spots crabs!!! 

We also finally saw the endangered Hawaiian goose, the Nene! Then it was back to the condo for Mexican night and sunset enjoyment! 

In other news, this family has consumed almost 5 gallons of POG juice this vacation!!! 

POG is to Hawaii vacation as the Key West Cooler is to Alaska vacation!