No Need to Delay Your Hawaiian Island Trip Due to Kilauea's Volcanic Activity

In recent times, concerns have arisen about whether travelers should delay their trips to the Hawaiian Islands due to the ongoing volcanic activity at Kilauea. It's important to understand the extent of the impact, and for most visitors, there's no need to worry.

The Impact of Kilauea's Eruption

The only part of the entire island chain involved with the ongoing eruption of Kilauea is the southeastern coast of the Big Island. This localized nature of the event means that most travelers will not be affected in any significant way.

Distance and Safety

From a distance perspective, the Big Island is positioned in such a way that it is largely unaffected by the volcanic activity. Here are some comparisons:

Distance to Kailua-Kona: 93 miles (similar to New York to New Jersey) Distance to Wailea on Maui: 127 miles (similar to Los Angeles to San Diego) Distance to Honolulu/Waikiki: 226 miles (similar to Seattle to Vancouver)

Effects on Travel:

Monster Volcano: Airports on the Big Island have not been affected by volcanic activity. Volcanic Ash: Only the southern/southeastern areas of the Big Island are affected by volcanic ash. No Impact on Other Islands: Oahu, Maui, and Kauai are unaffected by the eruption.

The only effect the eruption would have on your trip is that you won't be able to visit Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. However, other parts of the Big Island, as well as all of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai, are unaffected.

Personal Perspective

Living just six miles from the fissures producing the lava, the impact has been minimal. The eruption hasn't affected me personally, save for assisting those in need. Here is a meme I found on Facebook that captures the situation quite nicely:

I live just six miles from the fissures producing the lava and it hasn't affected us at all other than us doing what we can to help those who were affected.

Experiencing the Phenomenon

The only effect the eruption could have on your experience is the lack of access to Volcanoes National Park. However, this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy other unique experiences:

Taking a helicopter ride to view the lava flow. Enjoying a boat ride to witness one of nature's most awe-inspiring events.

If you are considering a trip to Hawaii, you can rest assured that your travel plans should not be impacted significantly by Kilauea's volcanic activity. The distance and the safety measures in place ensure that other parts of the island chain, especially Oahu, Maui, and Kauai, remain unaffected.

Safety Updates

If you're concerned about volcanic gases (VOG), you can stay informed by checking the latest updates from AirNow. This site provides daily updates on air quality, helping you plan your trip accordingly.

In conclusion, the ongoing volcanic activity at Kilauea should not deter you from planning a visit to the Hawaiian Islands. The limited impact ensures that the vast majority of the islands remain safe and accessible, making them an incredible destination to explore and experience.