5th March 2015 Video Volcano at Big Island

We stayed at the Sheraton at Kona Big Island Hawaii ... it's what Sheraton do well : interesting architecture in concrete ( and lava !) + good local people and traditions. Staff have the local Hawaiian type shirts .. different colours and patterns for different roles ... this idea was originated at this hotel and we have seen this idea in use at Sheraton Langkawi Beach in Malaysia ... really informal idea and puts the staff at their ease  which then has the right effect on the guests. The hotel was designed around the very low tidal change and right on the rocks almost in the Pacific. The bar and resaurant offered and very good view of the sunset ( again )

Drove next day round to the bottom of the island to where the Volcano town and national park is situated. Saw Rare Green turtles on the way. We were promised a show of volcanic glow from the restaurant but it rained..... At 5.30 the next morning .. different story .. still raining but visibility ok .. drove 2 miles round the crater rim road to a museum and observation point and got some pretty good pictures of the volcanic glowing activity . Later in the day got some pretty good close-up pictures and video when the visibility improved further.

This is the official page for current status of the volcano ...

http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php

Drove the Crater Drive to the coast and viewed the lava fields very close up including the lava  as it arrives at the sea ...  impressive scenery but no visible activity apart from the safety warnings where the road was previously removed by 1970's and 80's eruptions leaving an SO2 gas hazard ( and no road ... )

Herewith the video ( about 10 minutes )  .. see other posts for this day for the pictures