Hawaii is one of the only places on earth where you can get up close and personal with active volcanoes!

Take a hike through the lava fields of Kilauea or Mauna Loa and experience the raw, savage beauty that is an active Hawaiian volcano.

Nothing can prepare you for the awe you’ll feel when you see just how destructive these sleeping giants can be when they become angry.

The resulting carnage of an eruption can decimate wildlife in the surrounding area and wreak havoc on homes and business. But without the Hawaiian volcanoes, the island chain would never have been born.

It’s a delicate balancing act between life and death that’s a thrill to behold in person. To learn more about the active volcanoes In Hawaii see our guide below…

Volcanoes of Hawaii

Kilauea (active)
Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kilauea is the youngest and perhaps the worlds most active volcano. This volcano regularly spews forth miles of burning magma and lava into the sea destroying everything in its’ path.

In fact, Kilauea hasn’t stopped erupting since 1983! You can take a tour of this active volcano but don’t go too far off the beaten path or you might become one with the lava.

Mauna Loa (active)
Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on earth. The volcano’s summit of about 56,000 ft above its base! This enormous volcano covers half of the Island of Hawaii and by itself amounts to about 85 percent of all the other Hawaiian Islands combined.

Mauna Loa is among Earth’s most active volcanoes, having erupted 33 times since its first historical eruption in 1843

Haleakala (dormant)
Located on the island of Maui, Haleakala is the largest tourist attraction on the east side of the island. A great place to sight-see and hike the lava fields and forest but don’t expect to see any lava flows. Beware of the ever present high winds!

Hualalai (dormant)
Hualalai is the third youngest and third most active volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. Not nearly as active as Kilauea or Mauna Loa but could erupt any time within the next 100 years.

Loihi (active underwater)
Loihi is unique in the Hawaiian volcanoes chain for the fact that it’s completely submerged in the sea below Kilauea. The only way to see this volcano is to either scuba dive or take a submarine tour.

If you’re a complete Volcano nut and want more information about them, checkout the Hawaii Volcanoes page of the USGS.