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The Hawaiian archipelago is the product of multiple volcanic explosions and blasts millions of years ago. Kilauea is the only remaining active volcano, located on the south-eastern part of the Big Island, which continues to spill streams of lava into the Pacific Ocean.

In terms of volcanoes, looks can be misleading. Kilauea looks like an inconspicuous bulge on the southeastern side of Mauna Loa. For many years, it was thought to be nothing but a satellite of its giant neighbor. Now, it is known that Kilauea has its own extensive magma-pumping system, extending to the surface for more than 60 km (37 miles) into the earth’s crust. Kilauea’s summit lies on a line of volcanoes which include Kohala and Mauna Kea.

Hawaiian folklore colors Kilauea as the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. The caldera was the site of nearly continuous volcanic activities during the 19th century and early 20th century. Since 1952 alone there have been about volcanic 35 eruptions have been recorded. Presently, the Kilauea volcano is amongst the world’s most active volcanoes.

The Big Island may be the youngest of the Hawaiian islands, but it is also the largest. Because of the gigantic mountains present on the Big Island, some of the volcanoes can only be viewed from the air via helicopters. A great example of this is at the Volcano National Park, where land and foot access is prohibited due to the deadly hot volcanic lava.

Due to this exciting obstacle, many Hawaiian tour agencies offer helicopter and light plane tours to see Hawaii and view its dangerously majestic volcanoes from the air. The guided tours are conducted professionally with well trained and personable tour guides relating the history in quirky story-telling narratives. While helicopter tours are a favored activity by tourists, it can get expensive if one chooses to tour Hawaii as a family.

If you chooses to take a helicopter tour, they are available at the Hilo airport. From there, the helicopters soar directly to Kilauea’s volcanic system allowing tourists visual access to current volcanic activities. It also gives tourists a bird’s eye view to the coastal region that has been devastated by previous lava flows and eruptions.

Some tours may also soar to Kauai, the Garden Island, which is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. The lush rainforest serves as a back-drop for many Hollywood movies. Much of the island in uninhabited, leaving a landscape of blossoming forests, pristine waterfalls, vibrant rainbows and fertile valleys. Helicopter tours also grant access to the wilderness that couldn’t be seen otherwise else.

If you wants to experience Hawaii’s natural beauty in its full magnificence , do consider a Hawaiian helicopter tour.