By Natasha Derrick

Above:Thurston Lava Tube was formed 300-500 years ago. It once carried hot lava from a once active vent on Kilauea. Below: Kilauea Iki Crater was a boiling lake of lava produced by Kilauea volcano. Now visitors can hike across the massive crater. For three weeks in May-June, 2006, The Columbia Star managing editor, Natasha Derrick, and her husband, John, explored the Big Island of Hawaii in order to create a comprehensive road guide. Here are some highlights.

While gazing into the massive 900 feet wide and 400 feet deep Halemaumau Crater it is hard to believe that it was once a smoldering lake of lava spitting rocks and debris high into the air. Visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park between its opening in 1916 and 1924 would have had an up close view of nature's fury. In fact a few curious souls ventured a bit too far and were killed by falling rocks.

Today, guests can gaze into the crater from various points along the Crater Rim Drive. Although it is no longer boiling with lava, Halemaumau's massive crater is a sight to behold.

Photos by John Derrick Volcanoes National Park's 333,000 acres are filled with many natural wonders. It is built on top of Kilauea Volcano, and every stop in the park chronicles a stage in the volcano's life.

For example, Thurston Lava Tube, named for the man who discovered it in 1913, was once a hidden channel for lava produced by an erupting vent to reach the sea. Once the vent ceased to erupt, the last of the lava drained out leaving a tunnel-like formation that is now explored by hundreds of visitors each day.

Down the road from the lava tube is Kilauea Iki Crater. Between November 14 and December 20, 1959, this was the spot of spectacular eruptions. As lava fountains shot up to 1,900 feet high, the lava flowed into the crater, and at one point reached 414 feet deep.

Now the lava has drained from the crater and the floor has hardened over the years so that hiking across the crater is possible. The four mile hike passes through the rain forest that encircles the crater and eventually descends to the crater floor and across it. The rain forest here is home to the brightly-colored Apapane, an endemic bird which harvests the nectar from the native ohia tree. They are currently in danger from the avian malaria spread by the invading mosquitos.

Inset:Natasha stands near the steaming fissures in Kilauea Iki crater. Kilauea Iki's floor may be solid ground on the surface, but geologists say that 70 meters below the surface a lake of lava still exists. While the eruption only lasted 36 days, it took 36 years for the lava to cool.

About three quarters of the way across the crater are large mounds of lava which have pushed up from the floor. The many cracks on their surface release warm, sulfur-scented steam.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has much more information to share with its visitors regarding Hawaii's natural and cultural history. To learn more about the park visit www.HawaiianStyleTravel.com and click on Big Island.

(Next week: Highlights of the Hamakua Coast)

Below:The Apapane lives in the rain forest surrounding Kilauea Iki.