Hawai'i the Big Island - Hawaii - page 460

Shopping
23 Volcano Farmers Market E1
24 Volcano Winery B1
Crater Rim Rd is an incredible 11-mile loop that starts at the Kilauea Visitor Center and
skirts the rim of Kilauea Caldera. Unfortunately about a third of the road has been closed
since 2008, and likely won't reopen until Pele stops venting her frustrations. But the re-
mainder still links many of the park's main attractions, including a museum, a lava tube,
steam vents, rifts, hiking trails and views of the smoking crater that'll knock your socks
off. So practice your U-turns and don't miss it. It's also an excellent road for cycling .
Kilauea Visitor Center & Museum MUSEUM
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( 985-6017; Crater Rim Dr; 7:45am-5pm) This should be your first stop. Rangers can
advise you on volcanic activity, air quality, trail conditions and the best things to see
based on your time. A small theater shows free short films on Kilauea and the current
eruption, with spectacular footage, every hour from 9am to 4pm.
Introductory talks by rangers on subjects like park geology also occur at 9:30am and
3:30pm (combining a movie with one is a great way to begin). A board lists the day's
guided hikes (normally around 15) and ranger programs (posted by 9am). Free trail
pamphlets and junior-ranger program activity sheets are also available (backcountry per-
mits are now issued by the new Visitor Emergency Operations Center, located nearby).
The excellent bookstore has a plethora of volumes and videos on volcanoes, flora, hiking
and Hawaiian culture and history. Wheelchairs (free) are available for exploring the park
upon request; accessible areas include Waldron Ledge, Devastation Trail, Sulphur Banks
Trail, Pauahi Crater and the Volcano Art Center. There's also an ATM, a pay phone and
restrooms.
Volcano Art Center GALLERY
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( 866-967-7565; www.volcanoartcenter.org ; 9am-5pm) There are local art galleries, and
then there is this place. Next door to the visitor center, it sells the highest quality island
pottery, paintings, woodwork, sculpture, jewelry and more; a fabulous collection, ranging
from $25 prints to $9000 koa rocking chairs.