Above and Below is the name of the program that takes you into the rainforest for a little hike and then into the Nahuku (Thurston) Lava tube, and the chief of the program is Shyla. I went along with her as “sweeper”, but I can tell you I personally have crossed off that program from my future development and to-do list. It is a great hike, and probably it would make sense to offer it early in the morning for dedicated visitors, but in the afternoon it is just so busy and crowded that I would not have the patience to herd all the visitors and all the tag-alongs through.

You start at the trailhead of Kilauea Iki crater, but actually don’t follow the trail counterclockwise but hike the last section clockwise towards the Lava tube – this is the “above” section and gives you great insight into the rainforest and how the native Hawaiians made use of it. I guess it can be seen as an extended “summit” walk per its content, or a short version of the Iliahi Trail.

However, observing the visitors, most just come for the “Below” part, which is the stroll through the Lava Tube, Nahuku – this one, unlike the one from last wednesday, is open to the public and really draws the crowds, especially later in the afternoon when most people from the Kailua-Kona or Waikoloa resorts have realized how long the drive is and have finally arrived here in the park. I counted approx. 30 people at the beginning of Shyla’s program at the trailhead, and we had 47 total, apparently with some picked up along the way, before we entered the cave. At the end, it was probably close to 100, as it was difficult to make other people, catching up from behind, pass, and it felt really like we were clogging up the whole tube. I just don’t have the patience for this type of job, but Shyla was so patient and apparently has ample experience doing her talk in this much of a crowd, which is really to be admired. This may also have to do with me being up sine 4 am to catch the Wimbledon Finals, and I am really glad that I did get up to watch it, a truly historical match – just as a BTW.

I guess I have to find a trick on how to organize my program if I really am successful in outlining a day-long, 5-6 hour program like “Earthquakes, Craters and Caves”, which would also include Nahuku but follow a completely different path. I guess next week I can work a little on that before we have the next festival in the park!

The "Above" Part, hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The "Below" Part, hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park