One of the coolest things we did while in Hawaii was to get on a boat and travel out to the lava flow. To the Kupapa’u ocean entry points, where the smoldering 2,200 degree lava flows into the unsuspecting and viciously crashing 70 degree ocean.

Earlier on the same day, we drove to the Jaggar Museum and the Kilauea Overlook in the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. This is the Halema’uma’u Crater. It has been erupting consistently since the crater became active again in March 2008.  The photo above shows what we saw during the light of day.

In the dark of night, it looks like this! We didn’t see it at night because we were busy breaking body parts on that boat out in the Pacific. More on that in a moment…

In many areas of the park, this is what it’s like when your driving around. Thick smog-like smoke from the eruption hangs in the air.

And steam vents. So cool! Too learn more about the volcano and about the park, with continuous updates, GO HERE.

This map shows how the lava flows. Click Here for a larger view and an explanation.

According to VolcanoNews.com, over 2 dozen volcanoes in the world are currently erupting. Who knew?

But, I believe there is only one volcano that has lava flowing directly into the ocean, and that is this one!

At sunset, we went out on this big metal boat with 22 other brave souls. Not brave to get up-close and personal with molten lava, brave to endure the boat ride out to see it!

Here is just some of what the Lava Ocean Tours website says about the adventure:

Conditions: High Speed open ocean touring along East Hawaii’s southeast coastline
Restrictions: Guests need to be 4 years old, able to climb a 10 ft ladder. People with any of the following conditions will not be allowed on tour, recent injuries, frailness, obesity, osteoporosis, pregnancies, back, neck, joint issues. This is not a powder puff adventure expect the ocean to be rough we cover 36+ miles of rugged inaccessible Big Island coastline during the open ocean tour.

Of course, as with all adventure activities, you have to sign a waiver, that you really don’t read, that basically says that if you are grievously insured or die, you and/or your surviving grieving family members will not sue the adventure provider.

Since I did not read, but instead just signed on the dotted line, I probably missed the paragraph that read;

“If you are a female and you sit in the front row of the boat, you will, in most all instances, crack or severely damage your tailbone on our unforgiving metal, thinly cushioned seats-from-hell, as the front of the boat lifts 8 to 12 feet out of the water and slams back down on the rock-hard ocean with the force of a Lear jet crashing onto a runway. This will occur over and over and over again until you beg whatever God it is you worship for mercy and relief! If you don’t worship a God, be advised, you soon will!”

“P.S. Kiss your ass goodbye. Ass meaning, the ass you have that does not hurt at this moment in time – yeah, that ass, kiss it goodbye!”

But once again, it was worth it! Although a cracked tailbone is painful and slow to heal, it does heal. Whereas, I may never have the opportunity to see this again!

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