need itinerary for 24 hr stay in volcano natl pk area

Please advise what are must sees / dos /hikes / drives/ fly overs! We%26#39;ll be arriving in Hilo around 1 or 2 pm on a Monday in late May and staying in a cottage near volcanoes national park overnight. We need to leave the area the next day around 4-5 pm and drive to Kohala area. Is this an ok drive to do at night and about how long will it take? What should we do when we first get to the park around 3 or 4 pm? When does it get dark? Until what hour should we plan on being in the park? If lava is flowing, what is best way to view it? What should we do the next day? At some point we would enjoy a moderate 2-3 hour round trip hike. Any advise, resources would be greatly appreciated. Any local car rental or travel agent someone can recommend to book car rental and or inter island flights. Thanks.

need itinerary for 24 hr stay in volcano natl pk area

Check Hawaiian Air Fly/Drive packages.

Right now in Honolulu dusk is about 7pm.

I personally would not drive at night on the Big Island. It%26#39;s dark and I%26#39;m not used to country driving. AAA maps say it will take 3 hours and is about 130 miles from Volcano to Waimea. I have no idea how correct this is.

The day you get to the park go to the visitor center and see the film of past eruptions and see their displays. You can talk with a Ranger about hiking. The Ranger will let you know what trails are open and where you might be able to see lava. Best viewing is at night but it may not be in an accessable area.

Have a Plan B. There have been a few (very few) days that they had to close the park due to dangerous gases coming from the volcano.

Check ...gohawaii.com....for Hawaii Tourist website.

need itinerary for 24 hr stay in volcano natl pk area

The VNP has an excellent Visitor Center that can help you map our your day at the park.

Do you have any Guide Books, at this point?

Have you read any thread on the forum about VNP??

I second the suggestions to read existing topics and the park website, and read the topic I started on VNP UPDATES which has links and phone numbers. That should take care of what to do.

Then, as to itinerary, don%26#39;t drive at night, we already explained why not in another current topic, just look at the other topics on the page and you%26#39;ll see it.

If you want to view lava, it%26#39;s not near the Park (see other topics) and should be done the night you arrive.

You should leave the Park by 3 pm if you want to see waterfalls, and 4 pm if not.

Go to www.sunrisesunset.com and enter 96720 for Hilo to get sunset time.

You can book your own flights on Hawaiian Air at www.hawaiianair.com, and also book your car online. No reason to use a travel agent and the car rentals are all the national companies.

I have 2 words ';Forget IT';

Stay in Hilo if you must not Volcano due to health hazards. Do not hike in the ares unless its a matter of life or death.

Dont drive Hiway 11 at night. Figure 3 hours back to Kohala Sunset at 730 figuure a 1 hour hike back to car

reaf the other threads on VOG and the real problems.....

well, as I understand it, Volcano Village is most of the time spared the air quality issues that are plaguing the park and Ka%26#39;u. It does depend on which way the wind is blowing.

I have friends who drive through Ka%26#39;u a few times a week (commuting to UH Hilo), and they are doing it. On the other hand, the air truly is much worse than I%26#39;ve seen it before, and the fumes are not to be ignored as no big deal.

What late May will bring we don%26#39;t know until it arrives.

isthismarriedmanjustflirting