Exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Jagger Museum and Hawai’i Volcano Observatory

by Donald B. MacGowan

Halema'uma'u Crater, Jagger Museum Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Graphic from Photo by Donald B MacGowan

There are many wondrous, enigmatic and fascinating attractions on the Big Island of Hawaii, some better known than others, many out of the way and generally off the beaten track. Tour Guide Hawaii has produced an encyclopedic collection of the most up-to-date information, presented as short GPS-cued videos, in an app downloadable to iPhone and iPod Touch that covers the entire Big Island, highlighting the popular and the uncrowded, the famous and the secluded, the adventurous and the relaxing.

Jagger Museum and Hawai’i Volcano Observatory

Mauna Loa from Jagger Museum Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

Famed for its fabulous views of Mauna Loa and Kilauea as much as for its interesting exhibits, The Jagger Museum (named for geologist Thomas A. Jagger) is open daily from 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. Exhibits include murals by Herb Kawainui Kane, seismograph charts of eruptions and earthquakes, geological displays and displays about the natural and human history of the Park.

Eruption at Halema'uma'u Crater Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

Founded by Dr. Thomas A. Jagger, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory (or, HVO) was the first of its kind in the world. Although closed to the public, the Observatory is the workplace of numerous world-famous geologists, geochemists and geophysicists who study volcanoes, eruptions, earthquakes and the effect of eruptions on contemporary ecologies.

As if someone left the door to Hades ajar, Halema'uma'u as seen from Jagger Museum, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B

The current eruption in Halema’uma’u Crater is best observed from the viewing platform at Jagger museum, where telescopes, and knowledgeable Rangers, are available. The view of the eruption at night is particularly spectacular and one can stay at the viewing platform after the museum close—some of the most spectacular viewing, in fact, is after they have turned off all the lights at the Museum.

The Jagger Museum parking lot is a favorite gathering spot for Nene geese: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

When entering the parking lot of the Museum/Observatory, be especially careful of the Federally-protected Hawaii Goose, the Nene, who seem to congregate here. The Nene is the State Bird of Hawai’i, and this parking lot and its surrounding area constitute one of the best places for viewing them.

Seismographs of eruptions at the Jagger Museum, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B

Please be advised that as of this writing, Crater Rim drive, headed to the Southwest Rift and Halema’uma’u Overlook, and Keanakako’i Crater is closed around the western and southern margins of Kilauea Crater as far as the intersection of Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road.

Tourists watching the eruption a Jagger Museum Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Graphic from Photo by Donald B MacGowan

To see the new iPhone/iPod Touch App, please visit http://www.tourguidehawaii.com/iphone.html. The best of Tour Guide Hawaii’s free content about traveling to, and exploring, the Big island, can be found here.For more information on traveling to Hawaii in general and on touring the Big Island in particular, please also visit www.tourguidehawaii.com and www.tourguidehawaii.blogspot.com.

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All media copyright 2010 by Donald B. MacGowan. All rights reserved.

Mauna Loa from Jagger Museum Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Graphic from Photo by Donald B MacGowan