In 2018, Hawaii experienced one of its largest volcanic events when the Kīlauea Volcano erupted at its summit and flank. On Fissure 8 Tours, you can hear about the experience from two people who went through it, known as Heath and Rod, and see how the lava affected the region as a whole. It’s an incredibly unique tour run by landowners who have quite a story to tell.
Take a Guided Tour or Wander on Your Own
Despite the name of the tour, you’re actually seeing more than one fissure. (Fissure 8 is just the most well-known of the bunch.) Because Heath and Rod own land here, they can (legally) take you to four properties. (Other tours in this area may be considered trespassing.)
You can walk through a recently active fissure, and feel the hot air billow up from the ground. Glimpse 80 feet below the surface into a fracture in the Earth. Not long ago, 2,000° F lava was pouring forth from that gap. The steam vents today are only 200° F, so you should be able to handle them.
The tour guides will drive to each fissure, known as Canyon, Cracked Yard/Gardens, Fissure’s Views, and Fissure 9/Remnants of a House, where you’ll have the option of taking a guided tour or walking around on your own. The advantage of walking with the tour guides, though, is that you can ask questions about what it was like to be on the ground during a once-in-a-lifetime event. Before the Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) erupted, Hawaii hadn’t had that kind of activity in 200 years.
Cracked Yard and Gardens
Quiet and peaceful, this spot was where Rod planned to build his home. The gardens included fruit trees, palms, household plants, decorative trees, and more. Now, you can see the dead trees and the tail end of fissure 10. Walk over 50 feet deep cracks, some of which are 4 feet wide.
Fissures’ Views
See Fissure 1, 3, 7, 8, 21, and 22, as well as the ocean beyond. This is the property to see if you want to get a real sense of just how impactful the event was. Follow the path of the lava and get an expanding view of the flow field alongside the steam vent. You can even see Maunnna Kea on clear days.
F9/Remnants of a House
Heath’s home unfortunately burned down in the eruption, but it’s rare that you can actually see anything left over from a property (it’s usually all covered in lava). Here, you can walk around and see his kids’ belongings covered in lava, including the trampoline they once enjoyed. His children still come up here a lot to be close to their old home.
The Canyon
F8 is world-famous, and The Canyon offers a perfect view of it. You really have to see it to understand the lava flow field and how the Canyon actually saved people’s homes and properties from being devoured by the burning liquid.
Each spot on the tour takes about 30 minutes, and the guides are there at every step of the way (unless you choose to do your own thing). Fissure 8 has captivated the imagination of people all over the globe, but the reality is that you have to be there to experience the true nature of such an awesome event. People who have taken this tour don’t regret having a first-hand account of what really happened.
Insider Tips:
-Tour lasts between 2 – 4 hours and includes stops at four properties on the volcano.
-Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours beforehand for a full refund.
-Water and snacks are typically provided on the tour.
-Wear sunblock as the hardened lava will reflect the sun.