Madam Pele sure is keeping us on our toes here in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park! Here in Volcano, Hawai’i, we started the week mesmerized by the fountains of lava bursting from Kīlauea’s north vent, reaching remarkable heights and fueling lava flows across the crater floor. The volcano has been erupting rather consistently since Dec. 23rd, with Pele pausing to nap for a day or two before resuming her dazzling display.
So far, there have been nine fountaining episodes of the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea’s summit, with episodes lasting for hours and sometimes days. Currently, Kīlauea’s summit eruption remains paused, but our friends at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park anticipate another episode within the next two to five days.
Photo courtesy of NPS Photo / Dan Duriscoe
If you’ve planned your Valentine’s Day date around a visit to see Kīlauea’s fiery fountains of lava and you arrive to find the volcano still napping, don’t fret. For a romantic evening, you can always grab a bottle of wine from Volcano Winery and cuddle up in front of the fire at Ola’a House or Tutu’s Place. If it’s a clear night, you should definitely head to the park after dark for some stargazing with your sweetheart.
Although you can often see plenty of stars in Volcano Village, there’s nothing quite like getting further away from civilization, where the stars are so bright, it’s otherworldly! One of our favorite spots to see constellations and even shooting stars is from the Mauna Ulu Lookout in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
From May 24th, 1969 to July 22nd, 1974, Mauna Ulu erupted, feeding 350 million cubic meters of lava to the ocean during various phases. The eruption transformed a great deal of the terrain surrounding Kīlauea’s upper East Rift Zone and Chain of Craters Road. The inactive Mauna Ulu’s lava shield can still be seen on the horizon, surrounded by the expansive fields of new rock the eruption left behind, as well as cascades of lava, hardened on the cliffs along Chain of Craters Road.
Today, you can visit the Mauna Ulu Lookout anytime, but seeing its lava shield under the moonlight is incredibly unforgettable. Located 14 miles down the Chain of Craters Road, the lookout features a wooden observation deck perfect for stargazing.
Photo courtesy of NPS.
For those visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park during the month of love, the Milky Way should be easy to spot. Hoping to make a wish on a shooting star? Here are some meteor shower events and other upcoming celestial happenings to keep in mind as you plan your Big Island vacation:
Planet Parade on Feb. 28th. Also known as a planetary alignment, our solar system’s planets (with the exception of the Earth, of course) will be visible to the naked eye in the night sky.
Blood Moon on March 13th. A total lunar eclipse will begin around 8:30 pm and last for an hour, turning the full moon red.
Lyrids: This meteor shower will peak between April 2st and 22nd, with as many as 20 meteors per hour
Eta Aquarids: Up to 30 meteors per hour are anticipated at the peak of this meteor shower, between May 3rd and 4th.
Delta Aquarids. This meteor shower will peak between July 28th and 29th, with up to 20 meteors per hour.
From the glow of the red hot lava to the romance of stargazing in the park, love is in the air at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. You’ll want to stay as close to the park as possible and fortunately, our historic cottages are conveniently located just minutes away. Book your stay at the Volcano Heritage Cottages today!