Dynamic volcanic activity has defined the past year on the Big Island! It all started with several fissures erupting on Kīlauea’s upper southwest rift zone in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park for several hours on June 3, 2024. Before the year ended, Kīlauea erupted again in Nāpau Crater for five days in September. And on December 23, Madam Pele returned to Kīlauea for the holidays, dazzling us with eruptions outside Kaluapele, the summit caldera, for the first time since 2018.

As if on cue, Kīlauea has been erupting off and on throughout January, which happens to be Volcano Awareness Month. Organized by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, with help from partners at Hawai‘i County Civil Defense, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and other organizations, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn about the volcanic activity of Kīlauea and Hawaiʻi’s other volcanoes. 

Photo courtesy of NPS / Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

From guided hikes through the Kaʻū Desert to Maunaiki, which erupted in 1919, to walks into the Whitney Vault, which was built in 1912 for hosting volcano monitoring equipment, Volcano Awareness Month has been full of educational and cultural programs so far, as well as some more exciting volcanic activity. 

To start the year, the eruption continued, and by January 2nd, a lava fountain produced a large pyroclastic cone against Kīlauea’s western wall and lava poured from the vents into a large ponded area in Halema‘uma‘u crater’s southwest portion. Although the volcanic display stopped on January 3rd, Pele was just pressing pause, and the vent glow and ground inflation made us suspect that she had more up her fiery sleeve. On January 15th, Kīlauea awoke with a 200-foot lava fountain and the eruption continued for three days.

Since then, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has reported that a substantially high rate of inflation continues at the summit and magma remains high in the vent. And if the glow we’ve seen in the park at night is any indication, more fountaining could be just around the corner.

Then again, eruptive activity can change without any notice from Madam Pele. We’d love to enjoy her magmatic creations all month long, but even if we can’t, there is plenty to explore in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Head to the park’s Kīlauea Visitor Center to learn about Hawaiʻi geology, culture, and nature for the Life on the Edge, a program held daily at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm. 

And every Monday at the Niaulani Gallery in Volcano Village, you can take a guided nature walk through the rain forest at Niaulani. On this one-hour, free guided walk (which starts at 9:30 am) you’ll discover the most accessible, diverse, and intact old-growth koa/’ohi’a rainforest left in Hawaiʻi.

Ready to learn about volcanic activity over the past year and dive deeper into Hawai’i Island’s extensive volcanic history? Here are a few things to consider when planning your visit to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park:

🌋Before you arrive and during your visit, check the park’s eruption viewing webpage for air quality, the best viewing areas, safety tips, and more. Green dots = good air! 

🌋Expect that parking will be full at popular viewing areas. But don’t despair! The park is open 24 hours a day, and visiting after 9 pm or before sunrise is a great way to avoid the crowds. Just be sure to bring a flashlight if you plan to visit when it’s still dark.

🌋Stay on the trails and stay out of closed areas for your own safety! Always avoid cliff edges and other hazardous terrain. And if you’re visiting with children, keep them near you at all times. We suggest holding hands to be on the safe side. 

🦆 January isn’t just Volcano Awareness Month. It’s also the breeding season for the nēnē, our rare Hawaiian goose.Watch for nēnē and drive cautiously, especially in parking lots and near roadways. For their safety and yours, never feed nēnē and admire them from a distance of at least four car lengths.

🌋Out of respect, observe Pele’s elemental volcanic force and any eruptions quietly. You just might hear the sound of lava! 

🌋Stay as close to the excitement as possible! Our historic cottages are conveniently located just minutes away from Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, so book your stay at the Volcano Heritage Cottages today and enjoy Volcano Awareness Month to the fullest!