Lava viewing opportunities are excellent at this time. For current eruption activity visit:http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update The beach at Kaimu is a ten-minute walk across the 1990 lava flow and has been planted with coconuts by the local families. This beach is spectacular but almost always too rough for swimming. If you turn to the west you will see steam rising high in the air where the lava flow enters the ocean about 3 miles away. Walk the coast about 40 minutes and you come to a second beach where the Hawaiian Monk Seal will sometimes haul out to rest. On a good day you may also see turtle, dolphin, whale or the I'o (Hawaiian Hawk). You may want to stop at Verna's restaurant on your walk back to enjoy some local grinds (great papaya smoothie). A five-minute drive up the road from Kaimu is Kehena. Here a trail leads down to a beach that is often calm and where people swim with dolphins. Nude sunbathing is not legal in Hawaii County. The law is not enforced here and those who frequent this beach have declared it clothing optional. A short drive further is Ahalanui County Park. Here a several acre pool connects to the ocean. The water here is calm and warm regardless of ocean conditions. Great for children and sore muscles! Continuing along the coast road you come to Po'oiki with numerous surf breaks. Warm ponds (volcano heating) are close by as well as a natural sauna. In Pahoa there is a county pool open to the public. Badminton, croquet, bicycles, barbecue and Ping-Pong are provided at Kaimu. There is a beautiful outdoor rock wall shower where we often cool off after the beach. Beds: Upstairs-1 queen, 1 double Downstairs-1 queen, 1 double in 1 room Groceries: Safeway in Hilo on Highway 11 just past Wal-Mart is a good place to stop on your way to Kaimu. Amenities: Washer, dryer, Sat TV, VCR, linens, board games, coffee maker, microwave, fully equipped kitchen Links Volcano update THIS PAGE IS A MUST SEE: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update Where is Kaimu? http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=5&n=2142439&e=293014&size=m Activities: http://www.bestplaceshawaii.com/vacplanner/calendar/bi/calendar_bi.html http://101things.com/hawaii101/activities.html Car rental: http://www.travelnow.com/cars/search.jsp?cid=40524&citycode=ITO Weather Trade winds blow from the northeast to the southwest. All the Hawaiian Islands are lush and green with more rain on the windward (for the Big Island, Hilo) side while the leeward (Kona) side is more barren, dry desert. Still, micro-climates abound. Kaimu sits below the rain shadow of the volcano's southeast rift zone. Typical weather is sunny with some early morning and frequent nighttime showers. In 20 years I have only stayed at Kaimu one time where rain limited outdoor activity. If a large weather system moves in, the entire island can be drenched for days. If you get 'Kona weather', where the winds blow from the southwest, the weather pattern reverses and Kona rains while Hilo shines. However, the volcano is the biggest weather factor. Trades push the "vog" (smoke, haze, fumes) to the Kona side. This usually gives Kona beautiful sunsets and poor visibility. Individuals with respiratory problems (asthma, emphysema, allergies) may find conditions on the Kona side compound breathing difficulties. Kaimu has some of the cleanest air on the planet, traveling over 2000 miles of open ocean before reaching us. Questions? Email kaufman@maui.net.