Kilauea Iki Trail

Kilauea Iki Trail, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; oil on canvas, 6"x6", (SOLD)

After speaking with many people familiar with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, every person cited the Kilauea Iki Trail as their favorite hike. It's a little over 4 miles and a loop trail that can begin and end at just about any point you choose along the trail, taking you from the edge of the crater all the way down across the crater and then back to the rim. My favorite starting point is the Kilauea Iki overlook and heading to the right of the crater along the crater rim first before heading into the crater itself. To enjoy the calming and relaxing hike, I think it helps to appreciate the powerful eruption that occurred here in 1959 to create such a spectacular crater. The amazing video by the U.S. Geological Survey and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park can be seen here. The video continues on to the Kapoho eruption.

Here, I painted a scene after just crossing the Kilauea Iki floor where the trail starts to head up the east side of the crater. It was fun trying to use color, atmosphere, and chroma to create depth. I am really glad that it was the first painting sold at the art sale. It is near and dear to my heart and now has a home with wonderful friends. :)