DESTINATION HAWAII
are located here. However, Kilauea is much more visitor-friendly, as it can be accessed by road and short hikes, where as Mauna Loa requires back- packing to reach the summit. To explore Kilauea, take Crater
Rim Drive, an 11-mile road that en- circles the summit, and winds through desert and rainforest. Tere are plen- ty of scenic stops along the way and short walks to different viewing areas. A must-see is Halemaumau Crater, lo- cated within the larger summit caldera of Kilauea. Drive to Stop 7 on Crater Rim Drive and take a short 10-minute walk to reach this spot. According to Hawaiian legend, the volcano goddess Pele is rumored to reside here. And
you can certainly witness her fury as gas, steam and ash pour out from its center. (Note: As of this writing, the summit overlook is closed because of continued explosions emitting high levels of volcanic fumes). About a half mile from the sum-
mit overlook is the walk-in lava tube, Nahuku, commonly referred to as the Turston Lava Tube. Tis 500-year- old lava enclosure is easily accessible to visitors. Te lighted section pro- vides an up close view of where lava solidified into drips and waves. For the more adventurous, continue fur- ther on to an uneven, unlighted por- tion of the tube. Be sure to bring a flashlight to explore this site.
Tips to keep in mind while venturing out into volcanic terrain: Most areas of the parks are fairly remote, with stores and services at least 30 minutes away, so remember to pack accordingly. Weather is unpredictable, so make sure you are prepared for heat, cold, wind and rain. Wear shoes ap- propriate for walking and/or hiking. Even if you don’t plan on hiking, some lookouts, especially in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, require walking over uneven lava surfaces. And of course, bring plenty of water.
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To discover the East rift and coastal
area of the park, head toward Chain of Craters Road. Tis 18.8-mile road descends 3,700 feet and stops where lava flows crossed the road in 2003. As you arrive at the coast, you will come upon the Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs, the largest petroglyph field in Hawaii. Take a guided hike or the .7-mile hike on your own that ends on a board- walk where petroglyphs are easily vis- ible. Here you will be immersed in more than 23,000 images carved into lava rock. Te images are thought to represent recorded travel around the island, as well as information on an- cient events that took place. North of Hawaii is the island of
Maui and Haleakala, a spectacular national park, home to Maui’s high- est peak at 10,023 feet above sea level. Haleakala means “house of the sun,” and legend has it that the demi- god Maui stood on the summit and lassoed the sun, bringing it to a halt. Te sun pleaded to be let go and he agreed on one condition, that the sun
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