Thousands of visitors raced to the edge of the Kilauea volcano Wednesday to watch lava spew into Halema‘uma‘u crater.
At approximately 4:44 a.m., the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected a glow in Kilauea’s summit webcam images indicating that an eruption began within the crater inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The previous eruption of Kilauea began Jan. 5 and ended three months ago on March 7.
While planning a vacation to Hawaii, Shadra Lash changed the destination from Oahu to the Big Island so she could see Kilauea erupting. When the eruption stopped in March, she was nervous that her family wouldn’t be able to see lava when they visited this month.
“When I heard the eruption stopped, I was so disappointed,” Lash said Wednesday in HVNP.
“But I’m a faith-believing Christian, so I have been praying and manifesting that the eruption would come back. The day we go here was the day the lava began bubbling again, and I am just so excited. God is so good.”
The Lash family of four had been visiting Hawaii from Texas for a total of 25 hours when they visited the park, and they were looking forward to more adventures after such an exciting start.
“This is our first trip to Hawaii, and we’re so happy that we and the kids could see this,” Josh Lash said.
After spending six days at sea, Sacramento natives Shelby Dressel and Tyler Creek spent their first time on land in Hawaii viewing the eruption.
“We came here on a cruise and had no idea what to expect,” Dressel said. “When you think of a volcano, you think of a giant cone, but it’s nothing like that. It’s beautiful.”
“Our tour guide said they came with a group (Tuesday) and it was nothing like this,” Creek added. “We feel so lucky that we got to see this.”
On Wednesday, the gathering crowds were able to see several fountains of lava inside the Halema‘uma‘u crater, with some of the best views from the Kilauea Overlook.
Cars had to wait in line for parking as droves of visitors on tours and individually came to see the lava in action.
“We were on social media, and we saw that it was actually going off while we’re here, so we made the drive from the Kona side” Andrew Choi said. “This feels so ridiculously lucky. We’ve never seen anything like this.”
Choi traveled to the Big Island with his wife, Cindy, and two sons, Dylan and Aydan, from Orange County, Calif. Choi visited the island 25 years ago, but this was his family’s first trip.
“We will probably kick it in Hilo until it’s dark enough to come back (at night)” Choi said. “This has already been a wonderful trip, and this is an amazing addition.”
Visitors during the day were able to see multiple fissures open on the crater floor, along with lava fountains that were hundreds of feet high.
After visiting the park Tuesday from Kohala, Marge Car and Rikard Wind — along with their sons, Aidan Car and Quinton Wind — decided to stay in Volcano village that evening instead of making the trek back to West Hawaii.
“We got a room for rent (Tuesday) night and woke up to texts (Wednesday) morning about the volcano, and luckily, we were already here,” Rikard Wind said. “We’ve never been to a volcano and couldn’t believe our sheer dumb luck.”
The couple and their two sons are from Colorado and are visiting the Big Island for the first time. They said they have been enjoying driving around the island to see all it has to offer.
“We were not expecting the eruption at all. I mean, I thought people were messing with me (Wednesday) morning,” Marge Car said.
“We have pictures from (Tuesday) that look so different, and I have already sent comparisons to my friends. This is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Julia Clarizia and Matteo Taraborelli are visiting Hawaii from Rome, Italy, and also were staying in Volcano when the eruption started Wedneday morning.
“We felt the earthquake last night and were scared at first, but then remembered the volcano makes it normal,” Clarizia said. “It’s amazing that we got to see it erupt while we’re here. We feel so lucky.”
Monique Vierra brought her three keiki from Hilo to see the eruption and was floored by the fountains of lava.
“We were planning on doing a volcano day or beach day, but Pele made the decision for us,” Vierra said. “We never get to come here, and today is so nice. The fountains are incredible. I can’t believe how much you can see during the day.”
Thousands of visitors flock to HVNP when Kilauea is erupting, and many make pit stops in Volcano Village.
Colleen Gifford, a longtime employee at the Kilauea General Store, was excited to see so many visitors at the store Wednesday.
“Eruptions truly bring so much more business. We’ve seen triple our regular numbers (Wednesday), and it’s been extremely busy,” Gifford said. “We enjoy it, though. We miss it when the visitors aren’t here and are so excited when they come back again.”
Those interested in visiting the volcano, especially at night, are advised to follow specific safety precautions since eruptions can be hazardous and can change at any time.
HVNP urges visitors to stay on marked trails and overlooks, and to drive safely because there could be long waits for parking spaces.
Crowds can be avoided after 9 p.m. and before 5 a.m. since the park is open 24 hours a day. Spectacular views are often seen after sunrise from almost every vantage point along Crater Rim Trail, including Wahinekapu, Kilauea Overlook, Keanakako‘i, Kupina‘i Pali and Uekahuna, according to park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane.
Hazardous volcanic gases can be a danger to those with heart or respiratory problems, infants, young children and pregnant women. The summit also can be chilly, so visitors are encouraged to bring rain jackets, long pants and closed-toe shoes.
HVO has elevated the Kilauea volcano alert level to “warning” and its aviation color code to “red.”
For more information about the viewing eruption, hazards, and closure updates, visit nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.