An update from the National Park service on the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park website states that as of January 4, 2012 “The West Ka’ili’ili ocean entry is currently in a state of pause”. As of now there are no ocean entry or surface lava flows.
Visitors to the park can gain access to the Ka’ili’ili area by making a long and challenging hike. The National Park Service recommends that the hike should only be attempted by the most physically fit individuals. “It is roughly 10 miles round trip with an estimated time to complete of at least 5.5 hours. Hiking across lava fields requires continuous awareness and concentration. The lava is uneven, jagged and very sharp.”
Other Areas To View Lava
Many visitors come to the Big Island for the sole purpose of visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It is an exciting adventure that is sure to be something you remember for the rest of your life and this is one of the best places in the world to come view an active volcano; it has been erupting since 1983.
When you come to the Big Island and decide you are going to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park there are a few options on ways to view the volcano and the lava or steam which it emits.
Inside the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park there are several opportunities for visitors to view the volcano and the flowing lava and steam. There are several areas within the park that are called “caldera viewing areas” finding these areas will provide great lava viewing opportunities from a safe distance.
One of the best places for visitors to view the lava is from the vantage point provided at 
the Jaggar museum. The Jaggar museum was built on the edge of the Kilauea caldera, and the lookout points located here provide excellent views of the caldera and the Halemaumau crater.
