Seeing Hawaii lava flows

Q. Can you recommend a tour for a person who is handicapped (limited walking) and would like to view the lava from the Big Island volcano flowing to the ocean? We thought about a helicopter ride, but are they safe? We will be going to Oahu and would like to take a hop over to the Hilo side for the day and view the volcano action.

— Bailey, Anacortes

A. The places where the lava flows from Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano into the ocean are not easily accessible. There is a lava-viewing trail, but it's about a half-mile walk from the parking area. Your best way to see the lava flows would be by helicopter, but that is expensive, especially as you'll already have to fly to Hilo from Oahu. As to helicopter-tour safety, after a fatal crash on Kauai some years ago federal authorities made safety recommendations and gave more scrutiny to air tours. Thousands of people take helicopter tours each year in Hawaii, and you can get spectacular views of the lava.

Another way to get a close-up view of the lava entering the ocean is by boat tour. A Hilo company, Lava Ocean Adventures, offers such trips, but you would need to investigate if it would be comfortable for someone with a disability: see www.lavaocean.com

The Kalapana lava-viewing trail would be too much of a walk, I'm afraid. But you can get information on the trail and lava flows at www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lavaflows.htm or by calling the lava-trail hotline at 808-961-8093. Lava currently is flowing into the ocean outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and the trail is outside the park.

— Kristin Jackson, The Seattle Times

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