Photos of Kilauea at the End of 2018

This is what Kilauea looks like at the end of 2018. When I was last here in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, it surprised me to discover that it was 8 years ago. I recall my husband and I driving down Chain of Craters Road to the end where the lava crossed the road, and I spotted a rainbow. There were petroglyphs along the way, and we never really worried about an eruption. Although it was spittin’ and fumin’ then.

The continuous eruptions in May of 2018 widened the crater and emptied the lava lake. Kilauea at the end of 2018 looks very different than it has over the years. At approximately 600,000 years old, Kilauea is a relatively young volcano, although much of it still lies under the sea. Its last eruption prior to 2018 was in 1983.

When we looked for a house in Hawaii, I decided to stay clear of Kilauea. Just did not seem like a good idea to buy property where it’s likely to be covered in lava. Not only that, but lava insurance is very expensive for that side of the island. It is also wet, rainy, and subject to coqui.

I’d like to share some of the photos I just shot at Kilauea. This way you can see Kilauea at the end of 2018 and compare it to how it used to look. I also thank my stars we are on the Kona side. Although, the Kapoho area and the Red Road is hands down the most beautiful scenery in all of Hawai’i.