So Far…
Although I’ve lived on Maui since 1983, I’ve visited Hawaii Island on many occasions over the years. The first time I went to the Big Island was when the lava flows were burying roads and buildings in Kalapana. I photographed the lava crossing the pavement. Even with a zoom lens from 30 feet away the heat felt like it could blister my skin if I stood there more than 30 seconds!
When I first saw on social media and the news about Kilauea’s incredible activity at the beginning of this year, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Halema’uma’u Crater has always been a smoldering caldera with an amazing nighttime glow and occasional splattering, but the lava fountaining happening there this year hasn’t been seen in decades.
Here we are in June 2025, and Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess, has been putting on quite the show for residents and anyone willing to make the journey to Hawaii’s Big Island.
The numbers are actually quite staggering. Episode 27 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption just ended on June 29th, 2025, with lava fountains reaching heights of over 1,000 feet! That’s taller than most skyscrapers. Imagine for a moment molten rock shooting up from the earth higher than the Eiffel Tower! It’s the kind of thing that makes you feel very small and very alive at the same time.
What’s particularly fascinating about this year’s activity is the pattern that’s emerged. According to the USGS, eruptions have been happening weekly, which is both predictable and completely unpredictable, if that makes sense. You know something’s coming, but you can never be quite sure when or how intense it will be. That’s part of what makes these eruptions at Kauapele (Kilauea’s caldera) so exciting!
For those of you who can’t drop everything and fly to Hawaii (though I think most people would like to), the USGS has set up an incredible network of webcams that give real-time views of the action. The main summit webcams provides a direct view into Halemaʻumaʻu crater. These are the cameras Hawaii Island photographers monitor in order to determine “go time” to start heading towards Kilauea to capture an eruption. They can happen at all hours of the day and night. Since the eruptions are contained inside Kilauea’s caldera, there are many places to view the crater from the trail and overlooks that surrounds the crater rim.
Here are the Youtube links for the new monitoring cameras installed since these eruption episodes started in December of 2024. They are pan-tilt-zoom cameras that Hawaii Volcano Observatory can adjust as eruptions are happening.
V1 cam – West Halema’uma’u crater.
Live view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), from the northwest rim of the crater [V1cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
V2 cam – East Halema’uma’u crater
Live view of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) and Halemaʻumaʻu crater, from the northeast rim of the caldera [V2cam]. This new monitoring camera on the northeast rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) now provides an additional livestream view of Halema‘uma‘u
V3 cam – South Halema’uma’u crater
Live view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), from the south rim of the crater [V3cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity. With permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has installed another livestream camera on the rim of Kaluapele: the V3cam.
These are web cam links to the USGS webcams that are not on live YouTube feeds
F1 cam – West rim of summit looking southeast
Live panorama thermal camera This camera was upgraded on December 20, 2023, offering a wider field-of-view than the previous Halemaʻumaʻu thermal camera. Thermal webcams record in Centigrade, conversions to Fahrenheit are provided here for your convenience: 20°C=68°F, 40°C=104°F, 60°C=140°F, 80°C=176°F.
S2 cam – South rim looking west
View of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea; camera is positioned on the south rim and the view is to the west
The webcams are operational 24/7 and can record the dark of night if there are no sources of incandescence or other lights. Thermal webcams record heat rather than light and get better views through volcanic gas. At times, clouds and rain obscure visibility. The cameras are subject to sporadic breakdown, and may not be repaired immediately. Some cameras are observing an area that is off-limits to the general public because of significant volcanic hazards.
USGS S2 webcam Halema’uma’u Crater View to the West
National Park Service photo – Janis Wei
Princess Ruth Keelikolani of Hawaii, 1826 Hawaii State Archives
You can’t talk about Kilauea without mentioning Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire. Hawaiian culture has always understood what scientists are now documenting – that this volcano has its own personality, its own rhythms. The observatory has noted that volcanic fragments called “Pele’s hair” – thin strands of volcanic glass – are being produced during these eruptions. Even the scientific terminology acknowledges the goddess’s presence.
There’s something deeply moving about experiencing a place where science and spirituality intersect so naturally. The Native Hawaiian understanding of Pele isn’t just folklore – it’s a way of relating to the living, breathing earth beneath our feet. When you see those fountains of lava reaching toward the sky, it’s hard not to feel like you’re witnessing something sacred.
Pele, in the ancient Hawaiian religion, is the goddess of fire, volcanoes, lightning, wind and land. She is one of the most well known deities within Hawaiian mythology and much respected as a notable cultural influence which endures to this day. Her home is said to be located in Halemaumau crater, a pit crater within the summit caldera. Her abode is inside one of the most active volcanoes on earth.
However the legends involving Pele reach across every island and explain in mythological terms the creation of many geological features unique to each island. Learn more about Pele HERE
Lava cascade in Kūkūau gulch near Hilo July 20th, 1881 Painting by Charles Furneaux -Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park archives
What makes 2025’s activity so remarkable isn’t just the frequency, but the consistency of the pattern. Episodes have been reaching impressive heights – episode 21 in May saw lava fountains of approximately 500 feet, while since then most have exceeded 1,000 feet and created massive arching lava fountains some have called lava rainbows. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has been working around the clock to monitor and document each episode, providing real-time updates that help both scientists and visitors understand what’s happening.
The technical aspects of monitoring the vents are fascinating too. Since 1919 Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory has been studying and recording eruptions in Kilauea’s Halema’uma’u Crater and the volcanoes many riff zones that traverse for mile (well over 20 actually) across the lower slopes and forests. Today the way the observatory can predict pauses between episodes, track changes in summit tilt, and measure tremor levels – it’s like having a conversation with the volcano itself. This has made eruption predictions fairly accurate – often within a few days. However the “when” is still totally up to Pele…
Lava Fountain in Halema’uma’u Crater and Fountains on Rim May 31 1954 NPS Photo:Ralph T. Kanemori
Perhaps what strikes me most about Kilauea’s 2025 activity is how it demonstrates that our planet is still very much alive and creating itself. We’re witnessing the birth of new land in real time. Pele is literally adding to the Big Island, creating new ground that didn’t exist before. It’s humbling and exhilarating at the same time.
For anyone considering a trip to witness this natural wonder, I’d say don’t wait too long. Volcanic activity is inherently unpredictable, and while Kilauea has been remarkably active this year, patterns can change. The opportunity to witness this level of sustained volcanic activity is rare, even for a volcano as active as Kilauea.
A Wonderful Option for Visiting Kilauea
There are several ways to experience Volcanoes National Park but keep in mind there are challenges. Currently there is construction happening at the entrance to the park. This has resulted in traffic backed up for miles during an eruption. If you’re in a tour van at least you’ll have a guide who will share stories and information about the island and national park while you wait in line.
Another option is flying in for the day from another island to see the park during the daytime- which can include a guided tour and a helicopter ride! There’s no guarantee you’ll see the fountaining but if you monitor the USGS site and webcams you might be able to time your arrival for an eruption. Accommodations in nearby Hilo are often booked out during eruptions so this may be a good option for you.
For those wanting to dive deeper into the volcanic experience, an overnight tour offers a comprehensive way to explore not just Kilauea but other volcanic landscapes of the Big Island such as nearby Mauna Kea. I think what appeals to people about this kind of tour is that it puts the current eruptions in context – you’re not just seeing the spectacle, you’re understanding the geological story that’s been unfolding for hundreds of thousands of years.
The tour includes overnight accommodations, which is crucial because volcanic activity doesn’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule. Some of the most dramatic episodes have happened at night or in the early morning hours, and there’s something amazing about witnessing lava fountains against a sunset, sunrise or star-filled sky that you simply can’t get during daylight hours.
Front Row Seats to the Show
If you’re planning to witness this geological spectacle in person, there’s really no better place to stay than the historic Volcano House within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I’ve heard from several people who’ve stayed there recently, and they all describe the same surreal experience of falling asleep and waking up to the glow of active lava fountains just outside their window.
The hotel sits right on the rim of Kilauea’s caldera, which means you’re literally staying on the edge of one of the world’s most active volcanoes. During the more intense episodes, guests report being able to see the glow reflecting off their ceiling at night. It’s probably the only hotel in the world where volcanic activity enhances rather than ruins your vacation plans.
Wednesday June 11 is Kamehameha Day in Hawaii, and many island residents took advantage of the state holiday to visit Kīlauea and watch episode 25 of the ongoing summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu. The back lawn of Volcano House has been a popular observation post, with expansive views of Kaluapele (the summit caldera) and the lava fountain in the distance. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.
Stay Tuned!
The combination of cutting-edge scientific monitoring, comfortable accommodations at Volcano House, and the spiritual significance of Pele’s domain creates an experience that’s both educational and transformative. Whether you’re watching through a webcam from thousands of miles away or feeling the heat on your face from the caldera rim, Kilauea’s 2025 eruption episodes remind us that we live on a dynamic, ever-changing planet. Kilauea’s episode 27 erupted on June 29th with an ‘1100 fountain! The volcano is re-inflating so episode 28 is on the way. Although it’s anyones guess, the fantastic work of the USGS and Volcanoes National Park and the history of the most active volcano on earth show that it can continue for months…hopefully through 2025!
