Category Archives: Parks

Something’s brewing

Smoke rising from active vents at Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii

I was down at Kilauea Volcano this past weekend, checking out the state of the volcano. Since December 2024 there has been a series of 54 episodes of the current eruption. Episode 55 was expected about three weeks ago, but changes in the volcano have not produced another fountaining episode. Instead, there have been lots of small earthquakes, signs of lava movement underground, and a continuing build up of pressure. The volcanologists aren’t sure what to expect next, so some areas and trails have been closed for safety.

Two changes really struck me on this visit. First was that the crater viewing area at the Jagger Museum was open again. This closed after the 2018 draining and collapses in the crater, which rendered the museum unsafe. Now the museum is gone, having been removed over the past few years. However, the viewing area is still there and they’ve done a nice job of redoing it into a perfect space for volcano watching.

The second thing, which can be seen in these photos, is just how much the crater has filled in since the 2018 collapse. The crater floor was 1600 feet lower after that event, but now is back up to where it was before, and the active area is reaching the level of the rim!

I was hoping something dramatic would happen during my visit, but was disappointed. In the meantime, the rumblings continue.

Holei Arch

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Anyone who has visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and driven down Chain of Craters Road to the coast, likely ended up taking a photo of Holei Arch, which is near the end of the road.

Anyone who visits that spot in the future will not do that, because the arch is no more. It collapsed while the park was closed during the passage of Tropical Storm Nolo. The exact time of its collapse isn’t known. It was there on Wednesday, September 23, but gone by Sunday evening on September 27.

Where are you going?

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Hula dancers perform in front of steps leading to the statue of King Kamehameha in Kapaau, Hawaii — Hula dancers perform in front of steps leading up to the statue of King Kamehameha in Kapaau, Hawaii

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Stairs/Steps.’ See more responses here. Captions on the photos as usual.

Steps leading down to the water in Kawaihae, Hawaii — Steps leading down to water.

A boat ladder underwater in Hawaii — Steps leading down to water.

A bridge at Liliuokalani Park in Hilo, Hawaii — Steps over water at Liliuokalani Park in Hilo.

Steps on the side of a water tank in Hawi, Hawaii — Steps over water at Liliuokalani Park in Hilo.

Time for a dip

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A Northern Cardinal has a morning bathe at Mahukona.

Trees down

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Trees blown down by Hurricane Lala at Mahukona Beach Park in Hawaii

A couple of the trees blown down by Hurricane Lala at Mahukona Beach Park. The park was shut for several days with lots of trees blown down and other damage. The wharf parking area is still closed because concrete barriers, that prevent people from driving into the sea, have to be replaced. One is currently underwater, next to the steps where people get in the water.

Another hurricane is currently passing close to the island so more damage is likely!

Horns and hooves

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Horses frolicking in a corral in Hawaii — Horses kicking up their hooves in a corral in North Kohala.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Antlers, Horns & Hooves.’ See more responses here. There aren’t any antlers to be seen around here, but there are horns and hooves aplenty! Captions on the photos as usual.