Owais Crawford
The Island of Hawai'i is home to four active volcanoes, with nearly 50 eruptions of Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, recorded between 1912 and 2012. In 2018, an eruption of Kīlauea put airlines on red alert, with ash reaching 12,000 feet into the sky. However, Hawaiian Airlines continued to fly its scheduled routes as usual, as both of the Big Island's airports in Kona and Hilo are farther north on the island, far from the active volcano. The Chain of Craters Road, a 19-mile paved road through the East Rift and coastal area of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, has had parts covered by lava several times due to Kīlauea eruptions, but it is unclear if this has directly impacted Hilo Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Hilo Airport affected by the volcano? | No, the airport has not been affected by the volcano. |
| Distance from the volcano | The Kilauea volcano erupted in 2022 and the lava flow came within 1.7 miles (2.8 kilometers) of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road). In 1984, an eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano produced lava flows that reached within about 7.2 km (4.5 miles) of Hilo. |
| Flight prices | Flight prices to Hilo have increased, and there are no direct flights from mainland US. |
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What You'll Learn
- Hilo Airport is 100 miles from Kilauea Volcano
- Kilauea's 2018 eruption did not affect Hilo Airport
- The Chain of Craters Road connecting Hilo Airport to the Volcanoes National Park has been covered by lava
- The quickest way to get from Hilo Airport to the Volcanoes National Park takes 43-44 minutes
- The cheapest way to get from Hilo Airport to the Volcanoes National Park is by bus
Hilo Airport is 100 miles from Kilauea Volcano
Hilo Airport is located on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii, which is home to two airports, the other being Kona International Airport on the west side. The distance between Hilo Airport and Kilauea Volcano is approximately 29 to 43 miles, with an estimated driving time of 43 to 49 minutes. Chain of Craters Road, a 19-mile winding paved road, connects the airport to the volcano and has been covered by lava several times due to Kilauea's eruptions.
Despite the proximity of the airport to the volcano, there is no indication of any direct impact on Hilo Airport from the Kilauea Volcano. The airport continues to operate, offering flights to and from various destinations. However, some nearby areas, such as the Volcano House hotel and campground, have been affected and temporarily closed due to volcanic activity.
The Kilauea Volcano is an active shield volcano located along the southern shore of the Big Island. It is the most active of the five volcanoes that form the island of Hawaii. The volcano has been monitored by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), which studies its activity along with other active Hawaiian volcanoes.
The Big Island offers a range of attractions for visitors, including the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where Kilauea is located. The park provides opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, and witnessing volcanic activity, such as lava flows and steam vents. The east side of the island, where Hilo is located, is known for its natural attractions, including mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, and beaches.
When planning travel to the Big Island, visitors can choose between flying into Kona Airport or Hilo Airport, depending on their preferences and desired activities. Hilo Airport serves as a convenient gateway to the eastern side of the island, providing easy access to the Kilauea Volcano and other natural attractions in the area.
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Kilauea's 2018 eruption did not affect Hilo Airport
Kilauea is the youngest and most active volcano on the Island of Hawai'i. In 2018, it experienced the largest lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse in at least 200 years. However, this eruption did not affect the Hilo Airport (ITO) for several reasons.
Firstly, the Hilo Airport is located on the east side of the Island of Hawai'i, in the town of Hilo. Hilo is approximately 100 miles from Kilauea, which is one of the most southern points of the Hawaiian archipelago. This significant distance between the airport and the volcano meant that the eruption's impact was not felt as strongly in Hilo as it might have been closer to the volcano.
Secondly, Hawaiian Airlines, which operates at the Hilo Airport, continued its scheduled routes as usual during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. Both of the Big Island's airports in Kona and Hilo are farther north on the island, on opposite coasts, far from the active volcano. The airline did offer a waiver to travelers booked to fly to or from the Big Island's two international airports, allowing them to change their plans for free until May 31, 2018. However, this was likely a precautionary measure, as there were no reports of flight disruptions or closures at the Hilo Airport due to the eruption.
Additionally, the Hilo Airport is not located within a direct path to the volcano. The Chain of Craters Road, a 19-mile paved road that connects the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to the town of Kalapana, has been covered by lava several times due to Kilauea eruptions. However, this road is not the only route to the airport, and alternative routes were available for travelers.
In conclusion, while the 2018 eruption of Kilauea was a significant event that affected some parts of Hawai'i, it did not impact the Hilo Airport. The airport's location, distance from the volcano, and alternative travel routes ensured that it remained unaffected by the eruption.
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The Chain of Craters Road connecting Hilo Airport to the Volcanoes National Park has been covered by lava
The Chain of Craters Road, a 19-mile (30-31 km) long winding paved road, connects Hilo Airport to the Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii. The road was originally built in 1928 to connect Crater Rim Drive to Makaopuhi Crater. Over the years, it has been lengthened and modified, but it has also been frequently affected by lava flows from the Kīlauea volcano.
Due to its proximity to an active volcano, the Chain of Craters Road has been covered by lava several times. As of 2018, the road has been impacted by lava in 41 of the past 53 years. The Kīlauea volcano eruptions have repeatedly led to road closures, with lava flows cutting off the road in 1969, 1972, 1986, 2003, and 2014. Repairs and reopenings have occurred, but the road remains closed to non-emergency automotive use.
The road's location, through the East Rift and coastal area of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, makes it particularly vulnerable to volcanic activity. The road provides access to various features, such as pit craters, dormant and active lava flows, plumes from lava tubes, and scenic views of tropical rainforests and the coast. The ever-changing landscape of the park, shaped by the Kīlauea volcano's eruptions, continues to impact the Chain of Craters Road.
While the road has been affected by lava numerous times, it is important to note that Hilo Airport itself has not been directly impacted by lava flows. The airport, located about 29 miles from the Volcano area, has not experienced any disruptions or closures due to volcanic activity as of my last update in January 2023. Travellers can still utilise the airport and access the Volcanoes National Park through alternative routes, such as via bus or taxi.
The Chain of Craters Road, despite being covered by lava multiple times, remains an important route and a scenic attraction. Visitors can still access certain sections of the road and experience the unique landscape created by the lava flows. The road serves as a testament to the powerful forces of nature and the challenges of building infrastructure in an active volcanic region.
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The quickest way to get from Hilo Airport to the Volcanoes National Park takes 43-44 minutes
Hilo Airport, located on the east side of the Big Island, is not affected by volcanic activity. However, there has been some slight vog, and the National Park has had to relocate some activities to Hilo.
The quickest way to get from Hilo Airport to the Volcanoes National Park takes 43-48 minutes by car or taxi. The road distance is approximately 29-33 miles. Chain of Craters Road is a scenic route that winds alongside a range of craters, offering terrific opportunities to witness the volcanic activity of Kilauea.
If you're looking for a more scenic route, you can take a bus from the Mo'oheau Bus Terminal to the Crater Rim Drive @ Visitors Center. This journey takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes and offers stunning views of the east side of the island, including mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, and beaches. The Hele-On Bus operates this route every four hours, and the journey costs $15, which includes a fee paid to the park.
There are also options for those who want to experience the volcanic activity up close. The top stops along the way include the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls State Park, and Mauna Kea. The Umauma Experience and Hawaii Zipline Tours offer unique perspectives of the volcanic landscape, while night-time hikes in Pāhoa allow you to witness lava flows and even see lava flowing into the ocean.
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The cheapest way to get from Hilo Airport to the Volcanoes National Park is by bus
The cheapest way to get from Hilo Airport (ITO) to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is by bus. The distance between Hilo Airport and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is around 30-47 miles, with a road distance of 28.6-33 miles. The journey by bus takes approximately 3 hours and costs around $13-$16. The bus is operated by Hele-On Bus and departs from Mo'oheau Bus Terminal, arriving at the Volcano Village Volcano Post Office station. The journey includes transfers and takes approximately 3 hours.
There is no direct bus from Hilo Airport to the National Park, but there are services departing from Hilo Airport Road that arrive at the National Park via Kings Landing and Mo'oheau Bus Terminal. The Hele-On Bus service operates every four hours and the journey takes around one hour.
The fastest way to get to the National Park from Hilo Airport is by taxi, which takes around 43-48 minutes and costs $100-$140. However, this option is more expensive than taking the bus.
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the island of Hawaii, which has two airports: Kona International Airport and Hilo Airport. The island is known for its mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, and beaches, with most attractions located on the east side, where Hilo is situated. The Kilauea volcano, located within the National Park, has had several eruptions that have covered parts of the Chain of Craters Road in lava.
Hilo Airport does not appear to be directly affected by volcanic activity, but there have been reports of slight vog in the area. The National Park has had to relocate activities due to volcanic eruptions, and some areas remain closed to visitors.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Hilo Airport is not affected by the volcano. The airport is located on the east side of the Big Island, whereas the Kilauea volcano is on the southern shore of the island.
The driving distance between Hilo Airport and the volcano is 28.6 miles, and it takes approximately 43 minutes to travel between the two locations.
The fastest way to travel from Hilo Airport to the volcano is by taxi, which takes around 43 minutes and costs $100-$120. The cheapest way to travel between the two locations is by bus, which costs less than $15 and takes around 3 hours.
Hilo is one of the two biggest towns on the Big Island, and most of the island's attractions are on the east side. If you're interested in sightseeing, the east side of the island offers mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, and beaches.
