Halemaumau Crater Overlook

If you were to have visited this overlook in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) in the 19th century, you would understand how it earned the name “firepit.” During this time a swirling, fiery lake of lava filled the crater. The parking lot is about half way around the 11-mile Crater Rim Drive on the left and a short 10-minute walk down to the lookout. It is not paved, so wear close-toed shoes with good grip.

Once you reach the overlook, you will be peering into the volcano goddess Pele’s sanctuary. Although her flows are plunging into the ocean elsewhere, her home is in Halema’uma’u. Cultural ceremonies are held and offerings are sometimes left for her on the crater rim.

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.

The Halema’uma’u Trail begins at the lookout and continues 3.2 miles across Kilauea Caldera. It is a lovely day hike which concludes at the Visitor Center on the other side of the park.

Just down the road from Halema’uma’u is the site of the September 1982 lava flow. This eruption lasted 15 hours as fountains of lava shot up out of the fissures. Two new cracks developed during the eruption which allowed the lava to flow to the northwest and south.

View a incredibly detailed and large scale image of Halemaumau Crater (Source: NASA).

Location: Halemaumau Crater Overlook is located in the Volcano Region

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