Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Visitor Services
Banking Services
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is in a rural setting, and the amenities that towns may have to offer, such as banking, are far removed. Automated teller machines (ATM) are located at Kīlauea Military Camp and in Volcano Village, but the nearest full-service banks are in Pāhala, Kea'au and Hilo, 25 to 30 miles (40 to 48 km) away.
Lodging, Dining and Camping
Please see "Lodging & Dining" on pages 30—33 and "Camping" on page 46 for facilities available in the park.
Emergencies
Call 911 for emergency fire, paramedic or police assistance, or to report accidents or injuries. Emergency 911 phones are available at the Ka'ū Desert and Mauna Loa trailheads as well as at the Pu'u Loa turnout and Kulanaokuaiki Campground. There are no doctors stationed in the park. Report all accidents to a park ranger.
Film Processing
One-hour and 24-hour film processing services are found in Hilo and Kailua-Kona, where video camera rentals are also available. The Volcano House gift shops sell film and other related products.
Gas Stations
There are no service stations located in the park. Gasoline and very limited automotive services are available at two stores in Volcano Village, just off Route 11 on the way to Hilo, one mile northeast of the park.
Gift Shop
The Volcano House operates two gift shops, the Curio Shop and Crater View Gallery. The Curio Shop offers a large variety of reasonably priced gift items including Volcano T-shirts, sweaters, souvenirs, macadamia nuts, film, as well as groceries for one-stop convenience shopping. The Crater View Gallery showcases Hawaiian crafts including woodwork, jewelry, glassware, Aloha shirts, books, prints and Hawaiian music CDs. Both shops provide shipping services.
To better serve visitors who travel down the Chain of Craters Road to view the flowing lava, or for the more adventurous who are hiking in for a closer view, Volcano House in conjunction with the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park opened the Road's End convenience store in early 2005. Water, camera, film, flashlights, rain gear, snacks and ice cold drinks are now available at the lava viewing parking area. Don't miss the unique opportunity to walk on a lava flow and see molten lava intermittently pouring into the Pacific Ocean.
Local Crafts
The Volcano House Crater View Gallery, overlooking the breathtaking Kīlauea Crater, displays numerous works of local artisans. The immense beauty of the crater is reflected in this showcase of original handmade Hawaiian crafts.
More than 200 artisans exhibit their creative works at the Volcano Art Center Gallery, located in the historic Volcano House, which was built in 1877. The Volcano Art Center Gallery, established in 1974, is adjacent to the Kīlauea Visitor Center. The Volcano Art Center operates under a special arrangement with the NPS and is a nonprofit educational and cultural organization. -
Visit the Volcano Art Center Gallery and experience an extension of the Park's Interpretive Program. Discover fine art representing Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park created by local artists. The center showcases the finest examples of painting, sculpture, photography, bronzeware, ceramics, textile arts and basketry, which are available for purchase. Displays also share artist insights into their relationships with this active volcanic landscape, Hawaiian ecosystems and Hawaiian heritage. Hula and revolving shows are staged monthly featuring a particular artist or theme. A visit to the Volcano Art Center Gallery will inspire you to learn more about the park and Hawaiian culture.
Lost and Found
The park's lost and found department is located at the Kīlauea Visitor Center. Items may be reported or turned in to any park ranger, at one of the visitor centers or at Volcano House.
Medical and Dental Services
First-aid facilities are located at the Kīlauea Visitor Center and the Eruption Information Center at the end of Chain of Craters Road. The nearest hospital is located in Pāhala, 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the park. The nearest full-service hospital is in Hilo.
Pets
The nearest kennel is located in Hilo, which is 30 miles (48 km) northeast of the park.
Picnic and Camping Supplies
Volcano House can provide picnic box lunches or, alternatively, you can buy groceries and camping supplies in the shops in Volcano Village.
Post Office
A post office is located at Kīlauea Military Camp, a Joint Services Recreation Center, located one mile west of Kīlauea Visitor's Center. It is open weekdays from 7:15 to 11:30 a.m. and from noon to 3:15 p.m. The Volcano Main post office is located on Old Volcano Highway and is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon.
Public Phones
Public phones are located at Kīlauea Visitor Center, Volcano House Hotel, Jaggar Museum and N¯āmakanipaio Campground.
Religious Services
On Sunday, Protestant services are conducted at the Kīlauea Military Camp Chapel at 8 a.m. Catholic mass is held there at 11:15 a.m. Other services are available in nearby towns.
Transportation
Most visitors come by car, but you may also take a chartered bus tour by making arrangements with various tour operators based in Hilo and Kailua-Kona. The only public transportation to the park is offered by Hele On Bus Company. Service is offered once a day Monday through Friday only. The bus departs the Hilo downtown terminal at 2:40 p.m., arriving at Kīlauea Visitor's Center at 3:45 p.m. The bus departs from the Kīlauea Visitor's Center parking area at 8:10 a.m., arriving in Hilo at 9:20 a.m. The cost is $2.25 one way. Hele On can be reached at (808) 961-8744.
Hawaii Volcanoes In Depth
News from the Parks
Denali National Park Goes Greener With New Hybrid Commercial Bus From IC Bus
July 18, 2008 - 12:55pm
DENALI, Alaska, July 17, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----Visitors to Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve, one of the largest protected intact ecosystems in the world, will now have the opportunity to explore the park with the aid of an environmentally friendly vehicle -- a fuel-efficient and emissions-reducing hybrid bus. IC Bus, North America's largest school bus and commercial bus manufacturer, is delivering the Park's first hybrid bus on July 17.
July 18, 2008 - 12:55pm
DENALI, Alaska, July 17, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----Visitors to Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve, one of the largest protected intact ecosystems in the world, will now have the opportunity to explore the park with the aid of an environmentally friendly vehicle -- a fuel-efficient and emissions-reducing hybrid bus. IC Bus, North America's largest school bus and commercial bus manufacturer, is delivering the Park's first hybrid bus on July 17.
Canyoneering Heaven At Zion National Park
July 18, 2008 - 10:17am
Lee and Brian are loaded like sherpas, each hauling an end of the 700-foot-long rope and moving in lockstep as they hike down a dry creek bed through a ponderosa pine forest atop a mesa about 6,000 feet above sea level. Behind us, at the end of a wretched logging road that almost made a couple of people in our group sick, is Lee's truck, which we'll come back for the next day. Ahead of us is . . . one big drop. The creek bed ends at a sheer cliff that plunges into what looks like an enormous hole. Walking to the edge, I peer over and can't see the bottom. This is the start of Engelstead Canyon.
July 18, 2008 - 10:17am
Lee and Brian are loaded like sherpas, each hauling an end of the 700-foot-long rope and moving in lockstep as they hike down a dry creek bed through a ponderosa pine forest atop a mesa about 6,000 feet above sea level. Behind us, at the end of a wretched logging road that almost made a couple of people in our group sick, is Lee's truck, which we'll come back for the next day. Ahead of us is . . . one big drop. The creek bed ends at a sheer cliff that plunges into what looks like an enormous hole. Walking to the edge, I peer over and can't see the bottom. This is the start of Engelstead Canyon.
Shenandoah National Park Launches Multimedia Tour Inviting Visitors to Experience the Blue Ridge Mountains Like Never Before
July 18, 2008 - 9:30am
Austin, Texas - Greta Miller, Executive Director of the Shenandoah National Park Association announced today the launch of a new interpretive tool, the GPS Ranger™, for visitors at Shenandoah National Park. Visitors to the park can experience the Blue Ridge Mountains and learn more about the park’s unique history, land, plants, and animals with the assistance of the multimedia GPS Ranger™ tour guide system. Informative and educational ranger-narrated videos automatically play as guests hike.
July 18, 2008 - 9:30am
Austin, Texas - Greta Miller, Executive Director of the Shenandoah National Park Association announced today the launch of a new interpretive tool, the GPS Ranger™, for visitors at Shenandoah National Park. Visitors to the park can experience the Blue Ridge Mountains and learn more about the park’s unique history, land, plants, and animals with the assistance of the multimedia GPS Ranger™ tour guide system. Informative and educational ranger-narrated videos automatically play as guests hike.
Hiker tackles every mile of trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
July 18, 2008 - 9:28am
Sixty-three year old Diane Scarbrough loves to spend time in the Smoky Mountains. "Anybody that can be out there for any length of time," she says. "It's uplifting." Diane's passion for hiking turned into a mission to hike every mile of trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "We call it the 900 mile club. Actually it comes out to be 845, but I think they round that off because it takes a long time to get to a trail. We may hike 4 miles to get to the trail we are hiking on," Diane explains.
July 18, 2008 - 9:28am
Sixty-three year old Diane Scarbrough loves to spend time in the Smoky Mountains. "Anybody that can be out there for any length of time," she says. "It's uplifting." Diane's passion for hiking turned into a mission to hike every mile of trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "We call it the 900 mile club. Actually it comes out to be 845, but I think they round that off because it takes a long time to get to a trail. We may hike 4 miles to get to the trail we are hiking on," Diane explains.
Rabid bat in Olympic National Park puts visitor, three employees in treatment
July 18, 2008 - 9:25am
The Olympic National Park's first possible case of rabies since 1977 has struck a woman who was in the Ozette campground late last week. The 55-year-old woman is getting rabies prevention treatment after a bat scratched her in the Ozette campground. Three Olympic National Park employees who responded to the incident are also receiving treatment. The bat approached the woman at her campsite. She knocked the bat to the ground and got scratched. The stunned bat remained on the ground until the next morning. Park employees removed the bat for rabies testing. The rabies virus was found in the bat. The only other known case of rabies in Olympic National Park was recorded 33 years ago in July 1975, when a child was bitten by a bat in the Elwha Valley.
July 18, 2008 - 9:25am
The Olympic National Park's first possible case of rabies since 1977 has struck a woman who was in the Ozette campground late last week. The 55-year-old woman is getting rabies prevention treatment after a bat scratched her in the Ozette campground. Three Olympic National Park employees who responded to the incident are also receiving treatment. The bat approached the woman at her campsite. She knocked the bat to the ground and got scratched. The stunned bat remained on the ground until the next morning. Park employees removed the bat for rabies testing. The rabies virus was found in the bat. The only other known case of rabies in Olympic National Park was recorded 33 years ago in July 1975, when a child was bitten by a bat in the Elwha Valley.
