Halemaʻumaʻu crater on the Big Island is the face of volcano activity on Hawaii’s largest island. Hawaiian mythology says Halemaʻumaʻu is home to Pele, Goddess of Hawaiian Volcanoes. It’s the one volcano in Hawaii you can see up close, so close you can touch it. Sometimes.
Volcano activity on the Big Island has remained continuous for over 25 years. Halemaʻumaʻu crater remains active, but has not erupted or spewed lava like the nearby Puʻu oʻō which remains very active.
However, in recent years sulfur dioxide gas emissions have increased along with other crater activity, so much so that the park and surrounding areas were evacuated for awhile.
