Lava Tree State Monument — Attraction in Hawaii

This is a nice and small park to see some Lava piles, formed using trees as mould. There is a small walking trail to follow to see some structures. You need hardly 20-30 minutes to spend, however you can spend some with your family for picnic or outing, as there are benches available. There are enough parking spots and restrooms kept nicely. But I have not given ‘5 stars’ just for this small place. The real attraction is located 2 minutes away, outside of the park. We came to know from people that we can see some ‘Live’ Lava there. After reaching we saw, that is the very recent lava piles formed during the very recent eruption ( May 2018). Though the area is kinda ‘closed’ by the authority for public, people are there to see. We also went there to walk on that Lava for some exotic experience. This is the most fresh Lava, hence quite dangerous. There is no expert available to guide. The lava surface seems brittle, and if you are not careful enough, you might break the surface and hurt your legs. I have seen people called down, cut their legs. So don’t try to walk much of your own. However, that’s the most exotic experience I have ever...

Lava Tree State Monument, Pāhoa. This is what happens when a volcano gets drunk and crashes through a forest. In 1790, Kīlauea sent a river of lava through a grove of ʻōhiʻa trees, wrapped them in molten rock, and left behind hollow stone ghosts. They still stand there, stiff and blackened, like nature’s idea of a practical joke.

You walk the loop trail, half expecting one of these lava corpses to start talking. It’s quiet except for the wind and maybe a few tourists trying to pronounce ʻōhiʻa without pulling a muscle. The trees are gone but their outlines remain, like a graveyard with no names. Bring a sandwich and eat it among the dead, but don’t linger too long. The place has a weird pulse to it....

Fascinating volcanic formations: columns which formed of lava where trees once stood. I would appreciate a little more interpretation - how did those columns form? - but I'm more nerdy than the typical tourist. My wife and I were confronted here by a crazy (or drugged out) man who, without provocation, screamed threats at us from a distance of 100 feet while his friend talked him down. They then left without getting any closer, but we were on edge for the rest of our 30-minute walk on the short loop trail. Based on this one experience, I would suggest going with a friend. And I took off one star for...