The huge, gaping caldera at the summit of Kilauea and the surrounding miles of lava fields are vastly different from Mt. St. Helens. This is so different than the fine ash of Mt. St. Helens. Walking on the solid lava flows, similar to eastern Oregon lava beds, wears off the soles of your shoes before long. Lava still flows and steam rises from many crevices around the volcanoes. As it flows over the cliffs and falls into the oceans, it shatters into the fine, sharp black sand that makes up the few beaches of the island.
Steep cliffs are more the norm in most areas.
March is the end of the rainy season in Hawaii and flowers are everywhere. Colorful birds flit from flower to flower and insects are plentiful, especially for the entomologist accompanying us. We called for her many times to identify the bugs and spiders inside and out. Small lizards seemed to like lurking is restrooms. The Big Island of Hawaii is heavily populated with people of Japanese descent.