Big Island Conditions: Volcano, Vog, Roads, Waterfalls & Whales
Last updated: September 3, 2026
This page is maintained by the owner-guides at Ohana Tours and updated weekly with current conditions across Hawaii's Big Island.
Departures are operating normally on our current adjusted route and timetable.
Tours are running — our current route and times
Last updated: September 3, 2026
- 6:30 am — Waikoloa pickups
- 8:00 am — Kona pickups
- 8:30 am — Bay View Kona Coffee Farm
- 10:00 am — Paradise Meadows Macadamia Nut Farm
- 10:45 am — Punaluu Black Sand Beach
- 11:45 am — Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- 1:15 pm — Lunch in Hilo
- 2:15 pm — Big Island Candies
- 2:45 pm — Rainbow Falls
- 3:30 pm — Akaka Falls
- 4:30 pm — Historic Waimea town
- 5:15 pm — Waikoloa drop-offs
- 6:00 pm — Kona drop-offs
Restrooms are available at every scheduled stop.
This temporary schedule reflects post-Lala conditions for our tour. Highway 11 through Kau reopened on August 25, and reduced speed limits through Kau may add drive time while finishing work continues into mid-September. Timings can shift on the day; your guide confirms your pickup the night before.
Current Kīlauea Volcano Activity
Kīlauea's activity is monitored daily by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). The live USGS alert level displayed on this page is the authoritative source for eruption status.
Access to overlooks can change during active summit episodes. Ohana Tours follows park instructions and confirms any tour-specific adjustment directly with guests.
Vog (Volcanic Smog)
Vog is haze produced when volcanic sulfur dioxide reacts with sunlight and moisture. Vog levels on the Big Island depend directly on whether Kīlauea is actively erupting and on trade wind strength.
Under normal trade winds, vog is carried south and west, so the Kona side can be hazier while Hilo and the windward side stay clear. When trade winds weaken, vog can spread more widely.
Current air quality readings are published by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health at air.doh.hawaii.gov; travelers with respiratory sensitivity should use that live source for the latest conditions.
Current Tour Route Status
Departures are operating normally on our current adjusted route and timetable.
This temporary schedule reflects post-Lala conditions for our tour. Highway 11 through Kau reopened on August 25, and reduced speed limits through Kau may add drive time while finishing work continues into mid-September. Timings can shift on the day; your guide confirms your pickup the night before.
Waterfall Flow (Akaka Falls & Rainbow Falls)
Waterfall flow on the Hilo and Hāmākua side tracks recent windward rainfall. Akaka Falls (442 feet) flows year-round.
Rainbow Falls in Hilo is often strongest after overnight rain; exact flow changes with recent weather.
Whale Season (December–April)
Humpback whales visit Hawaiian waters from December through April, with peak sightings January through March. September is outside the normal whale season.
During whale season, humpbacks are regularly visible from the island's western shoreline — including from coastal stretches of our tour route — no boat required.
Sunrise & Sunset Times
Hawaii uses Hawaiʻi–Aleutian Standard Time year-round and does not observe daylight saving time.
Our current Full-Day Circle Island Tour timetable is about 10 hours from Kona and closer to 11 hours from Waikoloa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the volcano erupting on the Big Island right now?
Kīlauea's eruption status changes on short notice; the authoritative source is the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory alert level, which is displayed live on this page. Recent activity has been confined to the summit inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, with no threat to communities or tour routes.
Is it safe to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park right now?
Departures are operating normally on our current adjusted route and timetable. Park access can change, and any tour-specific adjustment is confirmed directly with guests.
Will vog affect my visit to Kona?
Vog varies with volcanic activity and wind. Travelers with respiratory sensitivity should check current readings at the Hawaiʻi Department of Health air quality site.
When can I see whales on the Big Island?
Humpback whale season runs December through April, peaking January–March. September is outside the normal whale season.
Are the waterfalls worth visiting in summer?
Yes. Akaka Falls (442 feet) flows year-round; summer flow is moderate rather than at winter peak. Rainbow Falls in Hilo is best in the morning after overnight rain.