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Volcano House
Dating back to 1846, Volcano House is located within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, at a 4,000-foot elevation, and approximately 45 minutes from Hilo International Airport. The hotel is on the crater rim of Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes ...more

Kilauea Volcano Cottages
Kilauea Volcano Cottages offers you some of the most Private and Romantic Cottages in picturesque Volcano Village, which is located right next to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Our unique accommodations range from very private 1,2 or 3 bedroom cottages to a  …more

About Volcanoes National Park

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park was established in 01 Aug 1916 as Hawai'i National Park, and on 22 Sep 1961, its name was changed to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The Park displays the results of 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution -- processes that thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with complex and unique ecosystems and a distinct human culture. The park encompasses 230,000 acres and ranges from sea level to the summit of the earth's most massive volcano, Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. Kilauea, the world's most active volcano, offers scientists insights on the birth of the Hawai'ian Islands and visitors views of dramatic volcanic landscapes. Over half of the park is designated wilderness and provides unusual hiking and camping opportunities. In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has been honored as an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site.

Superb voyagers, Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands migrated to Hawai'i over 1,600 years ago. Navigating by the sun and stars, reading the winds, currents, and the flight of seabirds, they sailed across 2,400 miles of open ocean in great double-hulled canoes. They brought along items essential to their survival: pua'a (pigs), ilio (dogs), and moa (chickens); the roots of kalo (taro) and 'uala (sweet potato); and the seeds and saplings of niu (coconut), mai'a (banana), ko (sugar cane), and other edible and medicinal plants. They were well established on the islands when about 800 years ago, Polynesians from the Society Islands arrived in Hawai'i. Claiming descent from the greatest gods, they became the new rulers of Hawai'i. After a time voyaging back and forth contact with southern Polynesia ceased. During the 400 years of isolation that followed, a unique Hawai'ian culture developed.

Hawai'i was a highly stratified society with strictly maintained casted. The ali'i (chiefs) headed the social pyramid and ruled over the land. Highly regarded and sometimes feared, the kahuna (professionals) were expert on religious ritual or specialists in canoe-building, herbal medicine, or healing. The maka'ainana (commoners) farmed and fished; built walls, houses, and fishponds; and paid taxes to the king and his chiefs. Kauwa, the lowest class, were outcasts or slaves.

A system of laws known as kanawai enforced the social order. Certain people, places, things and times were sacred - they were kapu, or forbidden. Women ate apart from men and were not allowed to eat pork, coconuts, bananas, or a variety of other foods. Kapu regulated fishing, planting, and harvesting of other resources, thus ensuring their conservation. Any breaking of kapu disturbed the society of society; the punishment often was death.

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