Full moon over Kīlauea Crater last night. Who was there? Photo credit/Janice Wei #FindYourPark #Afterdark

The Stewardship at the Summit program in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is a wonderful example of native species stewardship and community engagement. Hundreds of volunteers have contributed nearly 10,000 hours since 2012 protecting native forests near the summit of Kīlauea volcano. This dedicated cadre of visiting and local volunteers has restored over 72 aces by clearing thickets of invasive Himalayan ginger -- an aggressive weed considered among the worst invasive species globally. Thousands of other disruptive invasive plants including faya tree, Australian tree fern, and strawberry guava, have also been removed from these forests. In their place, once-shaded ‘ōhi‘a and ‘ōlapa trees, ‘ama‘u ferns, and hāpu‘u tree ferns have re-emerged. Pa‘iniu, kāwa‘u, and other important native plants are re-establishing. The native forest provides habitat and sustenance for a suite of native plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. Mahalo to each and every one of our Stewardship at the Summit volunteers and leaders! #FindYourPark #conservation #endemic #volunteers #forest NPS Photos/J.Ferracane taken from the Stewardship at the Summit program 11/3/2017

Today’s #ThrowbackThursday goes back to 1935 and the construction of what was then called the “Mauna Loa Truck Road.” The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers used a portable rock crusher to build today's Mauna Loa Road. Which segues nicely into this reminder: Vehicles will have limited access to Mauna Loa Road and Lookout now through Dec. 31, while workers improve the parking lot, toilet and picnic area for visitors with disabilities. During the project, the 11.3-mile road will remain open for pedestrians and bicyclists, but vehicles can only go as far as a designated parking area five miles below Mauna Loa Lookout. The entire parking area at the Lookout will be reconstructed and repaved, and a new picnic area will be added, along with a new vault toilet, at the top of the road. Hikers will be able to walk around the construction area to access Mauna Loa Trail and backcountry sites like Pu‘u‘ula‘ula (Red Hill) and its cabin, but it will add mileage to the hike. Bicyclists will not be allowed past the construction site. Prepared hikers can also access Pu‘u‘ula‘ula, Mauna Loa summit and cabin, and other sections of Mauna Loa Trail from the Mauna Loa Summit Trail by driving up Mauna Loa Observatory Road. Backcountry permits are required for all overnight stays. The Mauna Loa Lookout at 6,662 feet is an excellent vantage point for panoramic views of Kīlauea volcano, earlier lava flows, and the ocean. The subalpine woodland includes koa, māmane and ‘ōhi‘a trees that support endemic bird species, including ‘i‘iwi. The octagonal shelter at the Lookout was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937, and is an excellent example of the National Park Service rustic architectural style. The park regrets any inconvenience, and the public will be notified of any updates. Photo credit/Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Archives #historicpreservation #CCC #Maunaloa #Accessibility

Too much Halloween candy yesterday? Feast your eyes on the beauty of this blooming ‘ōhi‘a lehua and just say November. NPS Photo/Janice Wei

Happy Halloween from all of us at your park! This lobe of lava is ready for the day in its brontosaurus costume! Have a family-friendly photo of lava "pretending" to be something else? Share it and tag #lavaboo! NPS Photo/Marius Arigot

Happy Aloha Monday from the summit of Kīlauea! Photo courtesy/Janice Wei #ParksRx #FindYourPark #volcano

Cute the keiki ! These adorable girls stopped by our booth at the Puʻu Waʻawaʻa Dry Forest run on the Kona side this morning, and posed as nēnē and ʻuaʻu, two endangered, endemic birds protected by your park. #ParksRx #FndYourPark #community #conservation

Park Alert: Vehicles will have limited access to Mauna Loa Lookout for eight weeks, from Mon., Oct. 30 to Dec. 31, while workers improve the parking lot, toilet and picnic area for visitors with disabilities. During the project, the 11.3-mile road will remain open for pedestrians and bicyclists, but vehicles can only go as far as a designated parking area five miles below Mauna Loa Lookout. The entire parking area at the Lookout will be reconstructed and repaved, and a new picnic area will be added, along with a new vault toilet, at the top of the road. Hikers will be able to walk around the construction area to access Mauna Loa Trail and backcountry sites like Pu‘u‘ula‘ula (Red Hill) and its cabin, but it will add mileage to the hike. Bicyclists will not be allowed past the construction site. In addition, sections of the Kīpukapuaulu circular parking area will be used for staging materials and equipment during the project. No impacts are expected at Kīpukapuaulu Trail or day use picnic area. Prepared hikers can also access Pu‘u‘ula‘ula, Mauna Loa summit and cabin, and other sections of Mauna Loa Trail from the Mauna Loa Summit Trail by driving up Mauna Loa Observatory Road. Backcountry permits are required for all overnight stays. The Mauna Loa Lookout at 6,662 feet is an excellent vantage point for panoramic views of Kīlauea volcano, earlier lava flows, and the ocean. The subalpine woodland includes koa, māmane and ‘ōhi‘a trees that support endemic bird species, including ‘i‘iwi. The octagonal shelter at the Lookout was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937, and is an excellent example of the National Park Service rustic architectural style. The park regrets any inconvenience, and the public will be notified of any updates. #ParksRx #Maunaloa #Accessibility

Get outside, and challenge yourself to climb to the top this weekend in Kahuku! We have two free guided hikes for you to experience. On Saturday, climb to the top of Pu‘u o Lokuana and soak up the views. This short 0.4-mile hike goes to the top of the grassy cinder cone, Pu‘u o Lokuana. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū. This hike is offered Saturday, October 28 and November 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. On Sunday, come explore the "Realms and Divisions of Kahuku" through a ranger-led hike. Experience the sense of place that evolves at the intersection of nature and culture on this moderately difficult two-mile, two-hour guided hike on the Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku. Explore the realms and divisions of the traditional Hawaiian classification system at Kahuku. Bring a snack for the “talk story” segment of this hike. Offered Sunday, October 29, and again on November 11, and December 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, raingear, sun protection and a snack are recommended for all hikes. Entrance and all programs are free. NPS Photos #Kahuku #ParksRx #FindYourPark #Parks101

Did you know there is an alternative area to view the summit eruption from Kīlauea volcano? The Jaggar Museum Overlook area remains open 24 hours a day, but a quieter option nearby is past the south end of the parking lot, away from the museum building, beyond the tour buses. This relatively new area is usually less crowded, offering visitors a chance to connect with the awesome power erupting just a mile away within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. If you go, silence your phones. Halema‘uma‘u Crater is home to Hawaiian volcano goddess, Pelehonuamea. You are at her doorstep. If you listen, you might hear her voice in the sound of roiling molten rock or the steaming sizzle of moisture seeping into her domain. #Parks101 #FindYourPark #ParksRx #Pele NPS Photo/Janice Wei

#Kīlauea volcano continues to erupt from two locations, from its summit crater, Halema‘uma‘u, and from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent in the East Rift Zone. These photos and video are of the the latter eruption, called the 61g episode, and there are surface flows in the park boundary, and lava entering the ocean at Kamokuna. If you’re planning to hike out, be #LavaSafe. Be prepared and stay out of closed areas. You can observe lava entering the ocean from the NPS viewing area, and you can look for lavaq flowing across older hardened flows if you’re up for the challenge, about one mile mauka (inland) of the gravel road towards the pali (cliffs). Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, long pants and carry plenty of water – at least 3 liters a person. From Kalapana, it’s a 4.2- mile hike one-way to the NPS viewing area at Kamokuna, plus another 45-minute hike or so to the surface lava. From the end of Chain of Craters Road in the park, it’s a 5-mile one-way hike to Kamokuna, and part of that is up and over rough hardened lava flows. Check with park rangers before you head out to learn what conditions are like, and talk to other hikers about their experiences. You can also check conditions and webcams on the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website (see link in comments below). Photos/NPS Volunteer Marius Arigot #FindYourPark #ParkRx #Parks101

#Kīlauea volcano continues to erupt from two locations, from its summit crater, Halema‘uma‘u, and from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent in the East Rift Zone. These photos are of the the latter eruption, called the 61g episode, and there are surface flows in the park boundary, and lava entering the ocean at Kamokuna. If you’re planning to hike out, be #LavaSafe. Be prepared and stay out of closed areas. You can observe lava entering the ocean from the NPS viewing area, and you can look for lavaq flowing across older hardened flows if you’re up for the challenge, about one mile mauka (inland) of the gravel road towards the pali (cliffs). Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, long pants and carry plenty of water – at least 3 liters a person. From Kalapana, it’s a 4.2- mile hike one-way to the NPS viewing area at Kamokuna, plus another 45-minute hike or so to the surface lava. From the end of Chain of Craters Road in the park, it’s a 5-mile one-way hike to Kamokuna, and part of that is up and over rough hardened lava flows. Check with park rangers before you head out to learn what conditions are like, and talk to other hikers about their experiences. You can also check conditions and webcams on the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website (see link in comments below). Photos/NPS Volunteer Marius Arigot #FindYourPark #ParkRx #Parks101