Exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Our 20th National Park!) | Big Island Day 5

Our 5th day on the Big Island was (mostly) spent at our 20th National Park: Hawaii Volcanoes! While the National Park has changed a lot from a year ago and there is no active lava flow or lava glow, we had a great morning learning about the history of eruptions on the island, going on an amazing hike down into the Kilauea Iki Crater, and exploring other spots in the park. We finished the day with the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach and vegan gelato!
Plan your own adventure at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: adventuresofaplusk.com/one-da...
View our 7 Days on the Big Island Guide: adventuresofaplusk.com/7-days...
8 Best Beaches on the Big Island: adventuresofaplusk.com/blog/8...
AIRBNBS
www.airbnb.com/rooms/17590596 (Kona)
www.airbnb.com/rooms/27115591 (Hilo)
FOOD
Nicoco Gelato: www.yelp.com/biz/nicoco-hilo
ACTIVITIES
Kilauea Iki Trail: www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...
Crater Rim Drive: www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...
Chain of Craters Road: www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...
Holei Sea Arch: www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach: www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...
____
Our Vlogging + Photography Gear: kit.co/AdventuresofAplusK/vlo...
Our Van Life products: adventuresofaplusk.com/blog/v...
Follow us on Instagram:
/ adventuresofaplusk
Like our page on Facebook: / adventuresofaplusk
Follow us on Pinterest:
/ adventuresofaplusk
See everywhere we have been + view our blogs and travel guides:
adventuresofaplusk.com/
ABOUT US
Hi y'all! We’re Adam and Kathryn, an adventurous married couple living in a Sprinter van! You can often find us scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos, climbing mountains, cuddling our fur child Kona, and dreaming about Hawaii.
We created Adventures of A+K to help busy, budget conscious, and adventurous travelers maximize their vacation time and money wherever they go through detailed travel guides, vlogs, and resources. Our goal: to help you spend less time (and stress!) planning your trip and more time enjoying it!
We will be sharing 1-2 travel vlogs a week, so please SUBSCRIBE to follow along on our adventures! :)
____
Note: We’ve linked a handful items so you can see exactly which products we take with us. Full disclosure--if you click on these links and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too!

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

A couple things we wanted to mention regarding our Hawaii vlogs: 1. The “Big Island” is officially called the island of Hawaii, but we may refer to it as the “Big Island” from time to time, as it is a more commonly known term worldwide and we want to avoid any confusion by making it clear which island we were on. 2. We likely mispronounced many Hawaiian words, so we apologize in advance. We tried our hardest!

[@ricardocanelon2291]

awesome! Was the ranger an older gentleman that was also doing guided tours? You guys inspired me to start filming my adventures . I want more than just pictures.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

He was a pretty young guy! He grew up on the island and told us crazy stories about going to see the lava flow and all of his experiencing growing up. And while filming and editing is a lot of work, we love having these videos to look back on! It definitely is even better than photos! 🙌🏼

[@ricardocanelon2291]

Ready for the challenge. I think it’s worth the reward. :)

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

It definitely is!

[@marshaferguson3636]

We had the fortune of living in Kailua-Kona for 12 yrs and I'm so happy to see how much you loved our island ....

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

We loved it so much! Sooo much incredibly diverse scenery and fun things to do!

[@thishawaiilife3413]

Cool video, the lava eruptions are active again on the park so things always changing here.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

That would be so cool to see!

[@suzanneaydelotte801]

The hike to the crater was so beautiful...Loved the plants on the way down and the views of the crater from above. But actually walking on all the lava was quite the experience! Man, you never tire watching those awesome turtles! Loved the vegan gelato...so creamy and delicious!

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

The turtles are so cute, especially scooting themselves up the sand! 🐢

[@dylanfromflorida1619]

Another awesome Hawaii vlog! Definitely a must see when I go!

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

We're hoping next time we go we can see some lava!

[@rosaahsiu6658]

You guys are awesome eating different foods explore your adventures in different beaches and shows those waterfalls that's what life's all about beautiful 💞 love the food too 🤙

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Thank you so much! 🥰🥰

[@donstravelsandrants.]

Amazing craters and lava flow. You're making great travel 😊 blogs.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Thank you so much for always being so supportive Don!

[@donstravelsandrants.]

Well I like to praise creative talent. I mainly watch Travel and Photography channels. My number one travel channel is Gabriel Traveller, followed in joint second by Kara& Nate, The endless adventures. There are lots of others I dip in and out of. Your channel is at number three if that's ok with you 😊. But you're becoming triple second 😂

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Lol!!! 🤣 We love Kara and Nate & The Endless Adventure and would gladly be third behind them! 🙌🏼

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

You're too kind!

[@mpark05]

Your travel videos are so awesome. Lots of information.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Thank you so much Minchul! 🤗

[@sheafan1971]

Very Cool. would love to see the Lava- wow 60 years that's crazy

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

It’s so crazy to comprehend that the ground we were walking is deep lava. Such a mind blowing place! 😱

[@NickandRachel]

The volcano was beautiful! Pretty cool how it fogged up your camera lens right when you said you felt it coming out. Nice video guys!

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Thank you! That spot was so warm and steamy! 🧖🏻‍♀️🧖🏻‍♂️

[@Carolann_237]

While it is snowing outside, I have been binging on all your Hawaii videos. We were stationed on Oahu in the early 90's and visited the Big Island while we were there. Such a beautiful place. Hoping we can get back there someday.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

We hope the videos helped warm you up a bit! Living in Hawaii for a bit is a dream of ours!

[@missbedu2575]

New subscriber here! I’m so in love with your Big Island vlogs. I was was married 2 years ago at the End of the World beach in Kona and your videos are giving me all the feels!! 🥰

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Wow, what a beautiful place to get married! 😍😍 And we’re so happy we can transport you back to the island! Thank you so much for watching and the kind words! 💗💗

[@ankur1996]

Love you from India.

[@violettemargy5922]

I am so happy that I found your channel! You guys are the best! And your videos are very informational! I’ll be visiting the big island this summer and your videos are the most informational! And you guys are so positive! Thank you for putting out informational positive videos on KZbin!

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

This truly made our day! Thank you so much for the kind words. We are so glad you enjoyed the video and found them helpful. Our goal is to provide as much info as we can, while also trying to make them somewhat entertaining. 💕

[@Daddyben23]

Great video! Hawaii looks so amazing!

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Thank you so much! And it is the best! 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@thisisgemma]

The way she’s gazing at him during the intro and every other time he speaks 🤣

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

I just love him! 💕

[@thisisgemma]

Adventures of A plus K Oh I can tell... it’s cute ❤️

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

And staring at the camera while he talks makes me look extra awkward lol! 🤣

[@thisisgemma]

Adventures of A plus K it’s like a game of what the hell do I do with my eyeballs?! 🤷🏽‍♀️😅👀

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Hahahaha exactly!

[@LifeWithTheAlfaros]

I went to Hawaii(Oahu, Big Island, and Maui) about 10 years ago, and we did a helicopter tour over the volcano. That was so neat to see the hot lava from the sky because we definitely could not see it at any of the spots in the park. We went back to Oahu for my birthday last year, but I’m hoping to get back to the big island and hopefully over to Kauai sometime soon! Awesome video! 🧡

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Wow that would be amazing!!! We wanted to do a boat tour, but unfortunately there was no lava to see 😞

[@razicchy]

Spoiled Spoiler alert...I received the postcard prior to my viewing this video....I got a second thrill hearing you mentioning my name... (it doesn't take much to thrill a 77 year old)... It's been years since I visited the islands. I often traveled to Japan on business and I would make it a point to stop over in Hawaii for some R&R prior to returning to the states. Enjoy the remaining days of your travels and stay safe... And, many thanks for the post card.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Woo! We’re glad it made it to you! 🙌🏼 Thank you again for being our Patron, it means so much to us! 🥰 And I wish my job took me to Japan, that sounds amazing!

[@sxerosie]

Great overview, might be going soon and this was well filmed + edited!

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Thanks Rosie! We hope you enjoy the park if you go!

[@jamiewalters4]

This was great! Gotta make it to this park !

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

It is nuts! Walking in the crater was something we will never forget!

[@MrHuntingsAdventures]

Nice! Pretty neat stuff

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Thank you! 🤗😃

[@oliverjh1281]

I was nervous watching you guys walking over the volcano after what just happened in New Zealand , that was so sad , it looked amazing though I would definitely do it too 👍

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

What happened in New Zealand is so terrifying and sad! 😭 We have hiked on two active volcanoes now and it’s a slightly nerve wrecking experience even if they are deemed “safe” to visit.

[@LetsGoPlaces]

Amazing!! I have been there and did the lava hike! One of the best hike i did

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

It’s so dang cool! Wild to think of how it all came to be!

[@LetsGoPlaces]

@@AdventuresofAplusK indeed! Hawaii specially big island is one of my fav place on earth. Green sand beach hike also my fav hike.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

We also enjoyed that one! Even though it was mega windy!

[@cindykuhlman2927]

I've recently discovered your channel and have been enjoying watching all of your travels. These Hawaii videos though...we went to Hawaii back in June 2018 and it's so fun to see you visiting the same places we did. We hiked to the green sand beach and visited the same lava tubes, Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls. We went to a different black sand beach, Richard's, and got to see sea turtles up close at another beach we visited as well. We did the star gazing on Maunakea which I would highly recommend. We were there for sunset, and the it gorgeous. Since that was when the volcano was erupting, the park was closed so we would really like to go back to explore the park. Thanks for the great videos!

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Thank you so much for watching! Mauna Kea was closed when we went and there was no lava, so those are two big reasons we need to get back to the big island!

[@Tawnieandwayne]

Awesome Video, My wife and I are currently on the big island for 6 months and we can't wait to check out these two NPs! There is so much Molten lava from 2018 its hard to believe :0

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

6 months?! So amazing!!

[@kayingthao5072]

Love your videos! We are going there in august 2022

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

That's going to be awesome! Be sure to check out our website where we have lots of written content on Hawaii including itineraries and guides!

[@raymondbarry4196]

Super fun, I love the volcanos National Park and Black Sand beach - you had much better weather than we did but it was really interesting

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Was it really rainy for you? We lucked out with mostly sunny weather on the trip, especially since the forecast wasn’t super good.

[@raymondbarry4196]

Adventures of A plus K Yes, when we drove from Green Sands beach the down pour started and never let up

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

We had some interesting weather at the green sand beach 😬

[@imuawarriors]

because of the volcanic soil and temperate weather, Hawai'i grows excellent coffee, chocolate, and vanilla!

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

LOVE the coffee!!!

[@kristinabbate6369]

Hi! Big fans here! We love your videos!! Can you recommend lodgings in Hilo and Kona? We are planning a trip for April 2024. Thinking 6 nights in Kona and 3 in Hilo. What do you think?

[@WhatToDoexplore]

love the video! It has some great information and I hope you don't mind but I will be referencing your video and putting the link to this video in my description box for my video coming out this week.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Hi! Sounds good to us, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@sonny1172]

Your dad getting in the shot of your 360° was hilarious! Also, loved that you confirmed “newest”, not “nudist” 😂

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

😂😂

[@joshuabenoit3744]

Great video! There are a bunch of mongoose on Oahu at Hanauma Bay.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Ooo we have yet to go there! We really want to snorkel there next time though 🙌🏼

[@joshuabenoit3744]

Adventures of A plus K have gone snorkeling there twice. Great place but can be very crowded. Tip is to go on Wednesday morning and be there before 6am!

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Good thing we are early risers! 😅 I bet it’s so worth it though!

[@KayeandRemo]

Great video! Where did you guys stay at? Planning on going soon.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Thank you! We split our time between Kona and Hilo. We have links to both spots in the description! There were 4 of us total though, so the spots were bigger than we would’ve normally had.

[@JDMSE3P]

Great video guys! Did you guys by any chance check out the Volcano House Hotel, right across from the visitor center? It’s one of Hawaii’s most oldest hotel. It’s got an incredible view of Kilauea Crater from the lobby! It’s too bad that the Jaggar Museum will never be open to the public ever again due to last years eruption. You could go there at night and see lava in the lava lake.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

We did! We had a super short clip in the vlog from there, but totally forgot to film anything else. 🤦🏻‍♀️ We stopped in there to grab a coffee and were shocked by the view! And we were so bummed to not be able to go to the Jaggar Museum. 😭

[@dayneeastman1316]

What is that silver controller looking thing on Adam's backpack strap? a drone remote?

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Hi Dayne! It’s a camera clip (amzn.to/35hdoHf) so we can hike hands free and grab our camera easily 🙌🏼

[@michaeleichinger8302]

It's a clip that holds the camera.

[@deborahhaugen4081]

Aloha I’m new to your channel and I am loving your Hawaii videos. Could you tell me where did you get that awesome backpack. I’m looking for a good pack for my camera equipment Mahalo

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Hi! Thanks for watching! You can see all of our gear here: adventuresofaplusk.com/gear/

[@deborahhaugen4081]

@@AdventuresofAplusK thank you I checked out the backpacks one is not available right now I see they are for Adam , do you get a smaller size for you

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

I (Kathryn) actually wear the backpack 90% of the time and use the 31L size

[@deborahhaugen4081]

@@AdventuresofAplusK ok thank you

[@quirkysaucy]

Aw. You missed the most beautiful part of the island! Issac Hale is the end of the red road... Which is the prettiest road on island. Also, there are thermal ponds at Pohoiki.

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Aw man! More reason to go back! 😉

[@AceHardy]

🌴☀️

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@Tetra3Ne56scur]

The La Palma volcano, there’s an exclusion zone around and no one can explore it, but in Hawaii, explore at your own risk

[@cathywarriner]

What are the chances of that erupting again? There was just a terrible eruption in New Zealand,!

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

The ranger said that Mauna Loa is overdue for an eruption, so that is pretty scary, but they monitor the volcanoes there like crazy and typically have a good sense of when something will happen. What happened in New Zealand is horrible! 😭

[@guest9136]

This is SOOOOO Cool! but y dad said and yes im on his acc lol im nine years old and LOVE and And when i mean love i mean LOVE Exploring New Stuff! Like how the state of l Was There so Ships full of peps from All aro the glob came there for pece lol i cant spell good vuv

[@sadidiker]

🖒🖒👏👏🙌🙌

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

🌋🌋🌋

[@hawaiiguy1]

The mongoose was imported by the Hawaiian sugar planters in the early 1880s to the Hamakua Coast to combat the rodent problem in the sugar cane (and brought to the other islands too)...due to poor research on their part, they later found out that mongooses were day time active and inactive at night which was the opposite of rats/mice...this caused the mongoose to increase in population over all the human populated islands and did not help at all against the vermin problem..

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Uh oh! 😅 We didn’t know that!

[@loris7964]

Why would you not get all the info from the local guides when you can I find I get more out of the experience

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

We love local guides! We have used local guides in Italy and other places and it’s the best way to learn! The local working at the national park was super knowledgeable and we’re so glad we had a chance to hear him speak 🤗

[@stargazer5073]

2023 have youi been to all of the parks now?

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

We're at 49 now

[@cathywarriner]

😂 how do you guys stay so slim?

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

We workout and eat super healthy whenever we aren’t filming vlogs, which is usually 6 days out of the week, unless we are on a trip like this and all bets are off! 😜

[@cathywarriner]

@@AdventuresofAplusK 😂😎👍

[@allisonsherman7231]

🍨 🍧

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

Super good gelato! 🍦

[@Dog_gone_it]

u 2 r cute

[@AdventuresofAplusK]

🥰🥰