Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Scenic, Museum, Hiking, Beaches, Amusement Park

Situated 30 miles southwest ofHilo, this is the home of Kilauea volcano, one of the most vigorous volcanoes on earth. The chance to witness the primitive process of creation and destruction make this park one of the most popular visitor attraction in Hawaii and a holy place for Native Hawaiians.Founded in 1916, the Park includes 333,000 acres from the acme of Maunaloa to the sea. Here you'll find 150 miles of hiking trails through volcanic craters, blistered deserts and rainforests as well as a museum, petroglyphs, a walk-in lava tube and two active volcanoes: Maunaloa, which last exploded in 1984 and Kilauea which has been erupting since January 3rd, 1983. The unusual natural diversity of the park was recognized in 1980 when it was named a World Biosphere site by UNESCO and in 1987 when the park was again honoured as a World Heritage site.