HI 1st trip questions

Hello,

We are doing 3-4 island HI trip in mid-late October and are debating between having Big Island as one of our halts. Our main attraction for Big Island was the volcano watch. But after reading online, it seems the national park is closed due to active eruptions. Can anyone local please confirm?

Also, if that is true, would it better to still go to Big Island or would it be better to take helicopter ride from other islands? What other islands can I get a helicopter ride to see active volcano from? I am planning to stay Oahu, Maui %26amp; Kauai for sure.

HI 1st trip questions

I am not sure what you read or interpreted, but VNP is open except for some hiking areas and the ';hike tot see the lava flowing to the sea'; which people were obsessing about. That is closed because the area is not safe and the lava is not clowing to the sea anyway.

Look at official VNP sites:

Main park site: http://www.nps.gov/havo

Current eruption and picture:

http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/hvostatus.php

hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/images.html

Only way to see the current suface flow ( not going seaward) is by air. Can go from Hilo or Kona. If you take an air tour, try to get one that also shows the Hamakua Coast if you can afford it.

HI 1st trip questions

the entire park is open except for the active lava areas, which are closed to all entry.... for over a mile in all directions

There are no other islands in Hawaii that you can fly over to see an active volcano.. this is it. and there are no flights from other islands un less you do a charter at $1500 an hour ( figure 3.5 to 4 hours rt from Maui to the volcano

There are no other islands that fly helos over to see the volcano as it is well beyond their range (hundreds of miles) .. the best way is to fly to Kona, take a circle island tour ( 2 hrs) and then return to what ever island you are staying rt tickets on interisland jets is about $79 pp the air tour is $290... and you would not need either a taxi or rental car at Kona as the tour terminal and n terisland terminal are only 1/4 mile apart.. easy walk