Jaggar Museum

Lonely Planet review

The exhibits here introduce the museum's founder, the famous volcanologist Dr Thomas A Jaggar; overview the Hawaiian pantheon; and provide a deeper understanding of volcanic geology. They also sport a bank of real-time seismographs tracking the park's daily quota of earthquakes. If that doesn't sound interesting, at least stop for the view of Halema'uma'u Crater and, on a clear day, Mauna Loa 20 miles away.

Just before you reach the museum, the Kilauea Overlook also provides a pause-worthy panorama, and a few miles beyond is the Southwest Rift. This rocky fissure is more massive and long than it looks; it slices from the caldera summit here all the way to the coast and under the ocean floor. the views are guaranteed to bankrupt your camera battery.