Welcome to Volcano Village, Hawaii
Volcano Village is an artists’ community of roughly 2500 residents located just outside Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. At 3000 to 4000 ft. altitude the town of Volcano and most of the Park enjoy a cooler climate. The Village is situated on a small loop that diverts off the main highway, secluding it from highway noise and traffic. Local business includes small shops, galleries and gift shops, two grocery/gas stations, and six restaurants and more. Also a Community Center with Sunday early morning market, organic farms, a petting farm, and the Volcano Art Center Niaulani campus with many offerings of classes and demonstrations and a fabulous outside sculpture garden.
Farmers’ Market On Sundays, starting very early, Cooper Center (our community center on Wright Rd in the Village) has a Farmers’ Market showcasing vegetables, coffee, grass fed beef and flowers from the volcano area. There are prepared dishes, Michael’s divine pastries, carved woods, handmade shirts and kimono, goat milk soaps and much more. 6:00 am-10:00 am. www.thecoopercenter.org
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The Lili House Farm The extended Lili family has created a wonderful small farm with goats, chickens, pigs for petting. They have tours available online. They also sell a scone mix that is fabulous! Great activity for kids. Amaumau Rd at the end of Wright road in the Village. www.lilihousefarm.com
Volcano Art Center Niaulani campus in the Village A vision of architect/photographer Boone Morrison came alive in the 1877 Volcano House in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 1972. A cooperative effort with Park officials, VAC thrived as a gallery and showcase for cultural arts. Outgrowing that facility as demand for classes and demonstrations grew, VAC built a campus in the Village. Hale Ho’omana and the outdoors provide space for the ceramic, glass, acrylic, watercolor, zentangle, stained glass, Hawaiian language and many more classes. Walking tours for the native rainforest are available Monday mornings at 9:30-10:30. The largest outdoor sculpture garden is open every day…largest on our Hawai’i island! www.volcanaoartcenter.org
Fahrenheit 2400 Michael and Misato Mortara created a hot glass studio and Gift shop at their property on Hwy 11. About 3-4 miles towards Hilo from the Village. They are both incredibly talented glass artists. Our family always makes a stop there for small glass gifts to take home. Thursday-Monday 10am-4pm
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) Encompassing both Kilauea and Mauna Loa, two active volcanoes, HVNP is an experience NOT to be missed. Hikes abound, some through rainforest, some on the floor of a caldera with steam whisps issuing from cracks where the beginnings of little ferns and ohia lehua trees sprout. Everything gets explained at the Visitor Center after you pay your entrance fee (or use your Parks card!) and drive in a quarter mile. There are walks and hikes. A good one for families leaves from in front of the VAC Gallery and winds its way with signage to the Steam Vents and an overview of Kilauea Crater. The longer hikes include Kilauea Iki (a little over 4 miles) descending through rainforest and the songs of native birds across the crater floor of the Little Kilauea (iki means small or little). Down Hwy 11 past Pahala and Na’alehu is the Kahuku portion of the Park. It is beautiful, secluded, and aina (land) of great mana (spirit). There is food at Kilauea Military Camp and Volcano House. Ranger programs may be offered each day. Please check at Kīlauea Visitor Center for daily ranger program announcements. You may also read more about visiting the park in our post: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Visitor’s Info
Volcano Art Center Gallery in HVNP This is the Gallery portion of Volcano Art Center. The original 1877 Volcano House is located next to the Visitors Center. Filled with amazing art, furniture, silk screened fabrics, stained glass, blown glass, ceramics, jewelry, books and more. Also the setting for hula kahiko (ancient) performances at the kahua hula (platform) once a month. Check the website for dates. Other demonstrations happen on the lanai (porch) of the Gallery each Friday. Lei making, slack key, textile printing and hula with oli (chant) are hands-on demonstrated from 11am-1pm. volcanoartcenter.org
Special thanks to photographers John Coney and Hawkins Biggins