For all visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the visitor center is a smart first stop to get information about current eruptions. During our exploration of the park, there were eruptions occurring, but the distance was significant. My camera captured the dramatic scene, but I regretted not bringing my binoculars. We spent 1.5 days in the park and there was certainly still more to see. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was reminiscent to me of both Yellowstone National Park (Steam Vents and Sulphur Banks) and Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes (Thurston Lava Tube).

Kilauea Iki Trail (3 miles loop) - If there is a must-do hike at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this would be it.

Thurston Lava Tube - An interesting, albeit brief stop (30 minute parking). Not anywhere near as exceptional as the Geomunoreum lava tube system in Jeju Island, but worth your time.

Chain of Craters Road - make sure to stop at the Pauahi Crater (last eruption 1979), which only takes 5-10 minutes. The Holei Sea Arch gets most the attention and is a good photo opportunity, but the drive itself is the highlight.

The Kahuku Unit was added to the National Park in 2004 and is currently not part of the inscribed boundaries, but may meet criteria for a minor boundary modification. Text related to this portion of the park was added to the UNESCO description as adding further to the parks conservation (almost an informal buffer zone), but the world heritage site remains as indicated below.

Current size 87,940 ha (inscribed) + Kahuku Unit size 46,943 ha (not inscribed)

I would love to see an expanded Hawaii Volcanoes National Park re-nomination that includes cultural criterion and additional natural values (current criteria is viii alone). After visiting the significant cultural sites, I was enthusiastic with the prospect of telling this more complete story of how Native Hawaiians adapted to this unique landscape. A whole separate cultural nomination also might be appropriate.

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail (175 mile cultural & natural corridor that includes Hawaii Volcanoes National Park)

- NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK Kaloko-Honokōhau (Fishpond Bay, Petroglyphs)

- NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau (Place of Refuge/Royal Mausoleum)

- NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE Puʻukoholā Heiau (Temple on the Hill of the Whale)