Short trip from Kona to the Volcano and return

We have a trip booked to Kona in October 09 for the Ironman Triathlon. This is our second trip for this event but we were unable to check out the island before due to time committments. We would like to take a trip directly to the volcano, preferably to view them in the evening, and back to the Royal Kona Resort. In our group we have two competitors for the event so do not want a trip that takes the whole day and half the night. Does anyone know of a trip that would cater for our needs. There would possibly be 10 adults and 4 children aged 7 to 13.If there are no organized trips would it be possible to drive it ourselves in a rented vehicle? Help please. Wilko.

Short trip from Kona to the Volcano and return

Dear Wilko: Better bet is to plan some real time to visit the Island say 4 nights Kona Condo, 2 nights Volcano B%26amp;B, 4 nights Waikoloa resort. Otherwise you can%26#39;t even start to appreciate the Big Island.

1st you are going to loose the light about 5 to 5:30pm in October. 2nd it%26#39;s 95 miles winding 2 lane road one way about 2 to 2.5 hours if road contitions and traffic are good. Murphy%26#39;s law is you%26#39;ll get stuck behind a slow moving truck and or a bus. If you wanna see the whole park and do some hiking that%26#39;s at least 4 hours then back 2.5 hours. Maybe 9 to 10 hours (three quarters of that time driving). If you arrive evening in Volcano then rest of the park will be dark but maybe evening lava viewing in Kalapana area which is another hour of driving one way. Then Murphy%26#39;s law says it will be dark and raining driving back (from personal experience not fun). I personally wouldn%26#39;t drag 10 people w/ kids on that type of trip but hey never say never.

Find the closest beach to Kona and you all will have a better time. Aloha, TheodoreJay

Short trip from Kona to the Volcano and return

A driving trip from Kona to the volcano will probably take most of the day and half the night if you want to see the lava flow. Hawaii Forest and Trail has custom trips available which may be worthwhile for such a large group. You could also view the volcano by air - that trip would just be a couple of hours max.

hidden myspace