Hualalai Volcano Hike on the Big Island
Our group, deep inside a lava tube, looking up at a skylight in the ceiling. Today we visited ancient royal lands, that require special access to get through the gates. When the last of the Hawaiian royal family died, she owned about 12% of the lands throughout the islands. These lands passed into a trust with the goal of educating future Hawaiians in perpetuity. There is one local operator, Hawaii Forest and Trails, that has access to take hiking groups onto this land. It is called the Hidden Craters Hike, and is one of the best hikes you can do in Hawaii. Our day started with a van pickup at Honokohau Harbor, just north of Kona town. A 35 minute drive, strait up the side of Hualalai Volcano, brought us to the start of our hike at 5,000ft. It was a beautiful, clear morning. Everyone got their hiking poles, and some snacks, as we geared up for the four mile loop trail. The trail heads past giant volcanic fissures and craters, and even descends into a lava tube at one point. One o...