Hilo Highlights
It’s pretty cool to say we walked through Nāhuku, also known as Thurston Lava Tube, inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. But.. it’s short. You walk in thinking you’re about to embark on this underground lava adventure, and before you know it, you’re coming out the other side.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s worth seeing. You’re literally (and I hate saying this word, but I’ll make an exception this time) walking through a tunnel that was created by flowing lava, and when you actually stop and think about that while you’re standing inside of it, it’s pretty damn amazing.
The problem is when there’s a long line to get in. If you’re waiting 30+ minutes for an experience that only takes a few minutes to walk through, especially when there’s SO much more to explore inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, that’s where I start questioning whether it’s worth your time.
If you get there and there’s little to no line, DO IT. It’s easy, it’s unique, it doesn’t take much time, and you get to leave Hawaii saying you’ve walked through a lava tube.
If there’s a huge line and you’re already pressed for time, I wouldn’t feel bad about skipping it. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has way too many incredible things to see to spend a big chunk of your day standing around waiting for something you’ll walk through pretty quickly.
So is Nāhuku worth seeing? Absolutely, as long as you’re not sacrificing the rest of the park to see it. No line? Go. Huge line and limited time? Keep exploring.
Sometimes the best travel advice isn’t telling you what you HAVE to see. It’s telling you what you’re totally okay skipping.
Mai Household Mayhem 