Amazing views from the Mauna Loa overlook. There are also wild pheasants that were brought in for rich colonials in the 1800's to hunt for sport. They are typical of the invasive species that were brought in, and have adapted well in the wild. These pheasants only live in the higher altitudes and can be seen at the lookout.

Hilina intersects with Chain of Craters Rd. after about 2 mi. Heading into the heart of the Kau Desert, the 9 mi. Halina Pali Rd. is an escape into barren solitude, one missed by most visitors. It ends at the Hilina Pali Overlook, where a vast horizon of ocean and sky meets the edge of the 2280 ft. Halina Cliff. Notwithstanding numerous scenic overlooks, perhaps the coolest part is where the road ends, cut short by the massive Puu Oo lava flow.

Half a mile past Thurston Lava Tube on the left on Crater Rim Drive. in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the parking the lot for Kilauea Iki Crater which is home to one of the most amazing lava eruptions in the park's history. In November 1959 Kilauea Iki began gushing streams of incandescent orange lava. The glowing fountains of molten earth reached heights of 1,900 feet. At one point Kilauea Iki was a 414 ft. deep lake of bubbling lava. Today you can see the popular Kilauea Iki Trail crossing the center of the crater. Via the trail you can hike around Kiluaea Iki's rim and across the crater on what is a very fascinating hike

Puu Puai is a cinder cone that formed during the 1959 eruption at Kilauea Iki Crater. Puu Puai means "gushing hill." Gas leaving the magma propelled incandescent cinder and ash as high as 1,900 feet (580 m) above the vent. Tradewinds blew the cinder and ash to the southwest, where it accumulated to form the cinder cone. With increasing distance to the southwest, the cinder and ash deposit gets thinner and the size of the volcanic particles gets smaller. Puu Puai parking area (lower right corner) is on the rim of Kilauea Iki crater. Devastation Trail skirts the tree line.

As you gaze into the 300 foot deep crater, imagine what it was like, as a visitor in the 19th century to look into the bowels of hell. In 1924 the plug was pulled on Halema'uma'u, like a hellish bathtub the lava rapidly disappeared from the crater leaving a gaping hole in the volcano that allowed rain water to penetrate. This set off a series of huge steam explosions that catapulted rocks out of the crater which can be seen on your walk to the rim. Although the lava is long gone, sulphuric fumes can still linger. Small children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with heart or respiratory problems should steer clear.

As you gaze into the 300 foot deep crater, imagine what it was like, as a visitor in the 19th century to look into the bowels of hell. In 1924 the plug was pulled on Halema'uma'u, like a hellish bathtub the lava rapidly disappeared from the crater leaving a gaping hole in the volcano that allowed rain water to penetrate. This set off a series of huge steam explosions that catapulted rocks out of the crater which can be seen on your walk to the rim. Although the lava is long gone, sulphuric fumes can still linger. Small children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with heart or respiratory problems should steer clear.