On a one day tour, we could start at the summit of Kilauea, overlooking the volcanic caldera that formed ~500 years ago during a cataclysmic eruption that drained the large magma chamber below. Over geologic time this is the center of eruptive activity, though currently no active lava is visible in this area. The evidence of past eruptions is abundant, however, and there are lots of stories to be told here and lots to learn about how volcanoes work!
As well, there are cultural and historical aspects of this region that we'll explore, since Kilauea played a major role in the lives of native Hawaiians. Finally, we'll take a brief look at the unique flora and fauna of this part of the island. Life here, genetically isolated from the rest of the world, adapts to the harsh volcanic environment in amazingly beautiful ways.
In the afternoon and evening we walk over the coastal lava fields in search of active flows, breakouts, skylights, and lava ocean entries. Naturally, the conditions of active eruption can change almost daily, and so it's impossible to predict where lava will be flowing and how accessible it will be. However, as of this writing (March 2005), and for the previous month, lava flows are extremely abundant and readily abundant, with several ocean entries, lava flows and breakouts on the coastal plain, channelized rivers on the upslope, and mild lava spattering at the active volcanic vent of Pu`u `O`o (very good conditions overall!).
Depending on the actual conditions of the day, we can spend more or less time at the coast observing flowing lava in order to get the most out of the experience! We usually hike in (~1-2 miles one way) in the afternoon in order to get a good view of the flows during the day, watch sunset and the lava flows at dusk and subsequently at night (an unforgettable experience!) before our hike back.